New York, Jan 11, 2026, 16:42 EST — Market closed
- The IRS announced it will start accepting 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26, entering the filing season with a significantly reduced staff.
- On Friday, Intuit shares fell 0.9%, closing at $646.90.
- A recent Form 4 filing revealed that Intuit co-founder Scott Cook donated 30,750 shares to a nonprofit.
Intuit (INTU.O) shares open Monday as U.S. tax season looms, with the IRS set to begin accepting 2025 returns on Jan. 26. The agency faces pressure from significant staffing cuts that could strain its services.
Why it matters now: the IRS opening day kicks off peak season for TurboTax, Intuit’s flagship tax product. This period often shapes expectations heading into spring. Smooth filings and refunds usually boost confidence in demand for paid tax prep, while any hiccups can prompt filers to hold off.
Intuit shares are up roughly 2.8% in 2026, bouncing back after a steep fall on year’s first trading day and a partial recovery through last week.
The company also released new data on Main Street activity as the quarter draws to a close. Intuit’s QuickBooks Small Business Index reported that U.S. small business employment increased by roughly 5,500 jobs in December compared to November. Meanwhile, average real monthly revenue edged up 1.27%, reaching approximately $48,270 per business, according to its dataset and modeling.
On the corporate front, a Form 4 filing revealed that Cook, a director at Intuit, gifted 30,750 shares on Jan. 8. According to the filing, these shares were handed over to a nonprofit corporation and placed in a family trust.
A separate filing from November revealed Intuit’s board greenlit a $1.20-per-share cash dividend, scheduled for payment on Jan. 16 to shareholders on record at the close of business Jan. 9.
The bigger fundamental marker remains what the company guided to last quarter. In November, Intuit projected second-quarter revenue growth around 14% to 15% for the period ending Jan. 31. However, its adjusted profit forecast came in below Street estimates, according to LSEG data cited by Reuters. “We are confident in delivering double-digit revenue growth and expanding margin this year,” finance chief Sandeep Aujla said. Reuters
Macro factors may continue to influence software stocks. Investors are bracing for U.S. inflation figures next week alongside the kickoff of major bank earnings, as markets remain jittery about interest-rate trends following a strong January start. “On balance for this year, the foundation for the market is solid,” said Michael Arone of State Street Investment Management in a Reuters report. Reuters
Intuit faces a potential snag this tax season: if new rules or IRS delays hold up early refunds, some filers might delay buying paid software, shifting demand timing. The IRS kicked off its Free File program on Jan. 9 for eligible taxpayers, with Free File fillable forms opening up more widely starting Jan. 26 — a reminder that free options could drag on the lower end of the market.
Investors have another date to watch before tax day: Intuit’s annual stockholder meeting is set for Jan. 22.
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