Tax break to provide tailwind to US economy in 2026, Bessent says

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, Jan 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday said an early start to the 2026 tax filing season would provide a tailwind to the U.S. economy by allowing benefits from Republican-passed tax breaks to flow quickly to Americans.

Bessent, in a speech to the Economic Club of Minnesota, said the Internal Revenue Service would begin accepting tax returns on January 26, one of the earliest starts in a decade.

Bessent called on the Federal Reserve to have an "open mind" in setting monetary policy and "do its part" to help spur investment.