More than half of Americans experience “filing fear” every tax season, according to new research.
From stressing about starting your taxes in the first place to worrying about whether everything was filled out correctly, a poll of 2,004 American taxpayers, found these feelings of anxiety consume 54% of respondents.
The survey also split respondents by Zodiac sign to see if tax filing habits may be written in the stars.
“Filing fear” is especially real for Tauruses, as almost one in five (19%) feel “a lot” of yearly anxiety, compared to just 10% of Aquariuses and Aries.
Perhaps contributing to that stress, almost one in five (16%) Tauruses have previously owed the IRS money that they didn’t have. One in five Scorpios (19%) admit they’ve accidentally filled something out incorrectly before and 15% of Libras have purposely waited until the very last day to file.
Another source of tax anxiety may be that 17% of Tauruses wait until April to file their taxes and another 17% admit they typically end up filing later than planned.
Interestingly, Aries are the most likely to wait until April to file their taxes (19%), though they’re also the most likely to sign to actually stick with that timeline and file when they planned (71%), which may be why their experience less “tax-iety.”
In years past, those who end up filing after their internal deadline (16%) typically do so simply because they procrastinate (45%), while almost one in five (16%) worry they’ll need to give the IRS money rather than get money back.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of banking app Chime, the survey explored the highs and lows of tax season and found some surprising Zodiac correlations.
Scorpios were found to be the ultimate procrastinators (58%), while Virgos would rather be doing other things than filing taxes (23%). Tauruses are the most likely to flat-out forget to file in the first place (25%).
On the flip side of early filers (16%), Cancers do so because they just want to get it over with (62%) and Leos need money back fast for other expenses (46%).
Meanwhile, Capricorns are the most likely to file earlier than planned (23%). Geminis file early so that they can plan their spring and spring break travel (24%), whereas Aquariuses are ready to both plan and book their summer trips (25%).
“Tax season can be daunting, and the longer you wait, the more stressful it can become. Getting a head start gives you peace of mind and ensures you have time to catch any mistakes and avoid last-minute surprises,” said Janelle Sallenave, Chime’s Chief Spending Officer. “Sometimes surprises like extra costs you didn’t expect to pay to file can make the process even more frustrating. Do your research, and ensure you’re using a service that charges no fees for state or federal filing.”
More than half of all respondents (51%) agree that the longer they wait to file their taxes, the more stressed they become.
The good news is that in 2025, another 55% of habitually late filers are planning to “break the cycle” and avoid filing their taxes late.
Still, only 28% of Americans polled were able to identify that the IRS starts accepting and processing tax returns at the end of January, with only 23% of Aquariuses and Leos getting it right.
Sagittarius (27%) are the most likely to dread filing their taxes year after year and they also feel more anxious after filing than any other sign (19%).
On the other hand, once the filing process is complete, Geminis feel relief (60%) and Capricorns feel satisfied (43%), while Libras feel exhausted (10%).
Still, once everything is filed, Americans feel more financially secure (26%) and that their financial situation improves (24%).
“Managing taxes can be tricky, and with so many details to juggle, it’s easy to feel stressed. But there are simple tools out there that can make the process smoother,” said Sallenave. “For example, only 27% of respondents would use an app to file, which suggests many are missing out on easy-to-use resources that could help simplify the experience and reduce the strain of tax season.”
STAR SIGN SUPERLATIVES
- Most likely to file taxes earlier than they planned to – Capricorn (23%)
- Most likely to file taxes later than they planned to – Virgo & Scorpio (both 19%)
- Most likely to file their taxes when they planned to – Aries (71%)
- Most confident that they know the steps to file taxes early – Gemini (95%)
- Most likely to accidentally fill something out incorrectly – Aries (14%)
- Most likely to forget when Tax Day is – Aquarius (10%)
- Most stressed about what happens if they file too late – Pisces & Virgo (both 33%)
- Most likely to feel anxious after filing their taxes – Sagittarius & Aquarius (both 19%)
- Most likely to feel relief after filing their taxes – Gemini (60%)
HOW LATE DO DIFFERENT SIGNS FILE THEIR TAXES?
- Aquarius – February (53%)
- Pisces – February (48%)
- Aries – April (19%)
- Taurus – March (36%)
- Gemini – February (44%)
- Cancer – February (45%)
- Leo – February (46%)
- Virgo – January (23%)
- Libra – February (43%)
- Scorpio – February (46%)
- Sagittarius – February (48%)
- Capricorn – April (24%)
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who plan to file taxes in 2025 split evenly by Zodiac sign; the survey was commissioned by Chime and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, 2025.
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