Looking Ahead

Jan. 20

The nation’s Internal Revenue Service begins accepting paper and electronic tax returns today, marking the official beginning of the 2015 filing season. The Jan. 20 date is 10 days earlier than the IRS’ original projection of Jan. 30—meaning eligible taxpayers will be getting refunds sooner.

Jan. 20

President Barack Obama will address a joint session of the U.S. Congress tonight for his annual State of the Union Address. In a sign of just how far Obama and the Congress had drifted apart, earlier this year some conservatives reportedly suggested to House Speaker John Boehner that he not invite the president to deliver the State of the Union message in person but rather simply deliver a letter. Instead, Boehner issued the formal invitation on Dec. 19.

Jan. 25

Greeks will head to the polls today in a snap election to select a new Parliament. The dissolution of Greece’s Parliament occurred on Dec. 29 when the legislative body failed to elect a new president on its third try. Ahead of the elections, Socialist former Prime Minister Georges Papandreou on Jan. 2 left the Pasok party to form a new left-wing group.

Jan. 26

A clock dubbed the largest garden clock, and the third-largest clock, in the world should begin ticking once again today. Located in a municipal garden in Surat, India, the 80-foot-wide clock face broke down years ago. In October the city paid a local company nearly $12,000 to begin repairing the clock’s massive gears.

Feb. 1

Viewers of the 49th Super Bowl will see commercials for web design company Wix and Loctite Super Glue in addition to ads for better-known products such as Snickers, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Doritos. Carnival Cruise Lines is holding an online vote for which commercial that company will present during the football championship extravaganza.