2024 IRS Tax Season Calendar and Key Filing Dates

The table below shows key dates and events for filing tax returns and paying taxes with the IRS. You can jump to FAQs and past tax year schedules in the sections below.

2024 Tax Filing Schedule for Returns & Extensions

The IRS has confirmed that they will start accepting and processing tax returns for the 2023-2024 tax season from the week of January 29th, 2024. Other important tax deadlines and dates are shown in the chart below.

Although the IRS will not start accepting and processing tax returns until Jan. 29, people don’t need to wait until then to work on their taxes if they’re using online tax filing software packages like TurboTax and H&R Block.

The filing deadline for the regular tax season will be April 15th, 2024. Approved extension filings will be due by October 15th, 2024. Areas with FEMA disaster declarations in place will get further extensions on these dates.

Given technology upgrades made by the IRS, no new stimulus or tax credit programs, and easing post-pandemic staffing conditions, processing delays should continue to shorten this year for the 129 million returns expected to be filed.

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2024 Tax Season Key Dates
Tax Related Activity
Jan 2ndOfficial start of the current tax season. You can start filing a federal tax return via e-file or mailed-in paper returns, though the IRS generally will not accept and process tax returns until January 29th
Jan 12thIRS Free File opens and eligible providers will start accepting returns and submit to IRS after Jan 29th
Jan 17thFinal estimated tax quarterly payment due for 2023
Jan 29thIRS E-file goes "live" allowing acceptance and processing of electronic tax returns for the vast majority of tax filers. Paper tax returns will begin processing a week or two later (see est. IRS refund schedule)
Feb 1stDate by which you should have received a W-2 from employer(s) you worked for during the tax year. If not, contact their HR/Payroll department to resend tax documents.
Feb 1stDeadline for receiving 1099 statements (factors in your AGI income) that report non-employee compensation, bank interest, dividends and distributions from a retirement plan. Financial institutions (e.g Vanguard, Fidelity) must also mail out 1099-B, 1099-S and 1099-MISC forms by this date. See what these forms are and if you will need one for your return
Feb 28thPATH Act Lifts (estimated IRS date). Refund dates released for taxpayers who have filed electronically and claimed the EITC or ACTC. Impacted refund payments will generally start 8 to10 days after this date. See more on PATH updates and processing.
March 15thS Corporation and Partnership tax returns or extension requests due
April 15th*Tax Day* Last day for on-time filing of federal and state IRS income tax returns or for submitting extension requests (Form 4868). The IRS may extend this due to DC's Emancipation day holiday. Residents in FEMA approved federal disaster zones will also get an automatic extension (see below). Otherwise all tax liabilities or payments must be made by this day to avoid interest and penalties. This includes returns with approved extensions to file. If you are unable to pay your taxes, you can apply for an IRS payment plan.
April 15thLast day to make a tax filing year contribution to Traditional or Roth IRAs, Health Savings Account (HSA), SEP-IRAs.
April 15thFBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) forms due for taxpayers who have signature authority over $10,000 in total in foreign bank accounts in the prior year. Laws enacted last year change the standard FBAR due date to "tax day" (vs June 30th as in years past). No extensions are allowed and forms must be filed electronically.
May 15thTax Day for designated FEMA relief areas where the IRS provided tax payment and filing extensions. Individuals and households that reside or have a business in these areas may qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the IRS disaster relief page.
June 15thU.S. citizens or resident aliens living abroad must file tax returns by this date (or request a four-month extension). See section below for more details. Any actual or estimated taxes are still due by Tax Day.
Oct 15thDue date to file approved extensions for federal, state and S-Corp/Partnership income tax returns

The IRS tax filing calendar is based on published IRS schedules, tax publications and estimates from prior tax years. It should not be constructed as official IRS information. Also note that extended filing deadlines are provided for victims in federally declared disaster areas

Which is The Best Tax Filing Software?

I get asked this question a lot every tax season and the answers is usually, “it depends.”

The processing engine is similar across most of them (after all tax rules are the same for all) but they do differ on usability, premium features and availability of “live” support. These are the items were you can pay a premium and where the tax software providers can differentiate themselves.

The other big consideration is the filers or taxpayers situation and income. For simple and straightforward returns (think W2 employees taking the standard deduction) go for the best value or lowest cost option. If your income is below prescribed limits, you can even file for free in some cases.

For more complex situations, or those with self-employment/business and investment income, pick a premium provider that allows you to get support from a real tax expert if you run into complications during and after filing.

Below is a summary of the top providers I have used and worked with, including a link to some current filing deals. The good thing is you can start for free with all of them and only play when you submit your return.

Tax ProviderSummary
TurboTaxThe most headache-free option, with a very slick user interface and a variety of live support options. From the simplest to the most complex return, TurboTax probably has various options to cover you (see full review). Good for small business’ and self employed. It also has some great post filing support and a 100% accuracy guarantee, where they pay any IRS or state penalty (or interest) related to any errors they made.
See all TurboTax Deals
H&R BlockH&R Block’s offers an in-person and online do-it-yourself tax preparation service with well designed filing software and over 12,000 retail offices to provide back-up options and audit support. It’s a large national brand and if you like the ability to get a high level of support (online and in person) then block is a good option.
See H&R Block Deals
TaxActProvider of affordable digital tax preparation solutions for individuals, business owners and tax professionals. The software has been designed by in-house programmers and tax accountants. Probably one of the best value D-I-Y online tax filing options out there.
See more TaxAct Deals
eFileBasic and no-frill tax filing software for a fraction of the cost of the larger providers. If your return is simple and you just want a straightforward electronic filing option then this is the tax filing package for you.
File for free with eFile
Tax SlayerAnother one of the low frill providers out there for those looking for an inexpensive tax software option a sleek and mobile friendly user interface. They also provide maximum refund guarantees. Like other providers you get one free state filing with your federal return and can up load a lot of your tax documents. Phone and email support is available, but no live chat.
See tax season deals
Tax Software Filing Providers

See a more detailed review of tax software providers.

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When Can I File My Taxes and Get My Refund?

An important point to note is that while you can start filing your taxes in December or January with tax software providers, the IRS will not accept or process any returns (paper or electronic) until IRS e-File goes live on January 29th.

Tax software companies that do accept electronic submissions early (for tax refund advance loans) will generally hold your return and only send to the the IRS when they start accepting and processing returns.

This includes returns filed via the leading tax software providers or directly via the IRS website for lower income filers. Once the IRS accepts returns, and if you filed early, your tax return will be automatically submitted to the IRS for processing.

The IRS also reiterated that filing your taxes electronically is the best way to file a tax and accurate return and the fastest way to get your refund. It is expected that over 90% of tax returns will be e-filed.

Also remember to try and get your refund payment via Direct Deposit, which the IRS’s recommends as the fastest and most secure method.

Once your return is accepted the IRS processes your refund based on the IRS E-file Refund Cycle Chart. Exact refund dates are based on IRS processing times and can be found in IRS Publication 2043 and IRS Topic 152 for both e-filed and mailed returns. 

After filing and assuming your tax return is on order you should receive your federal refund between 8 and 21 days, assuming not impacted by PATH delays (see below). If you did not select the electronic deposit option, getting a paper check mailed to you adds about a week.

As a general rule, you can expect your state tax refund within 30 days of the electronic filing date or the postmark date.

You can also check your IRS tax transcript and processing cycle code to get more details on your refund payment or for any potential delays.

If you do need your refund early, consider a refund advance loan, but be aware of the pros and cons including filing criteria and maximum amounts you can get against your expected refund.

Should I File Early?

A common question I receive is, “Will I get my refund faster if I file earlier?” The short answer is maybe; because having a complete and error-free tax filing is much more important than filing as soon as possible.

However filing early can be beneficial because you get your filing done sooner (less stress) and get your refund in hand, but the IRS has said average refund times are the same no matter when you file.

There are some other ancillary benefits of filing sooner like less chance of security/identity issues with someone else filing falsely on your behalf or incorrectly claiming shared dependents.

My advice is to file between mid-February and the end of March, to ensure you have all your tax forms (like W-2’s) and documentation in order. You will also avoid getting your refund payment held-up by the PATH act.

Unfortunately the IRS is already predicting smaller refund payments in the coming year, as no new stimulus (EIPs) or expanded tax credits were funded last year.

Also see more on the latest tax brackets and ideas to lower your taxes by planning ahead.

Early IRS Refund Processing With Hub Testing for 2023-2024 Returns

Some tax filers do sometimes get notification that their return is processing early, prior to the official IRS e-filing date (Jan 29th, this year).

This is because their return was part of a IRS test batch – known as Hub testing – where the IRS randomly takes a few thousand returns (out of millions) to test their systems and processing. This normally happens 1 to 2 weeks prior to the official start of IRS processing.

If your return is picked as part of this test batch, you will see updates on WMR or IRS2Go, but you won’t see your refund prior to the start of the official IRS processing schedule.

PATH Act Delay

The PATH act delay affects tax filers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). As a result refunds may not be processed until early to Mid-March for many taxpayers, in order to perform further identity and claim verification checks.

Note that for the upcoming tax season the mandated PATH act hold will likely lift in mid to late February with refunds starting to be issued after February 26th.

To get specific details on your refund payment date the best option is to review the IRS Where’s My Refund tool or IRS2Go mobile app once your return has been accepted.

US Citizens and Residents Living Overseas – Tax Filing Deadline

America has a global taxation system meaning that all U.S. citizens or resident aliens (Green card holders), irrespective of where they live in the world and who their employer is, must file a US tax return. However this group of Americans does get an automatic 2-month filing extension to mid-June (as shown in the table above).

Note however that this filing extension does not mean that you can pay any owed taxes late. These are still due by the mid-April deadline, or else penalties and interest will start accruing.

Another filing requirement for all US citizens and permanent residents, irrespective of where in the world they live, are Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) forms. This is to report any foreign financial or bank accounts, even if the accounts don’t generate any taxable income.

FBAR forms have to be lodged electronically in the BSA e-filing system by the regular season tax deadline in April.

Fortunately to offset double taxation (with local taxes in the country they live or work in) US citizens or residents living abroad can take advantage of the foreign earned income exclusion and foreign tax credit while filing their US tax return. I recommend you use online tax software like, TurboTax, to help you with filing the correct forms.

Tax Filing and Payment Extension dates in FEMA Disaster Relief Areas

Due to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared natural disasters or other widescale emergencies, the IRS provides automatic tax filing relief via postponing various tax filing and payment deadlines during the tax year.

At this stage the IRS is providing tax relief for individuals and households that reside or have a business in the following areas. Impacted filers will have until the extended filing date, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due by April 15th.

Emergency DeclarationExtended Tax Filing DateRelief Areas/Counties
TBD
IRS Disaster Area with Extended Filing Dates in 2024

Affected taxpayers do not need to contact the IRS for this disaster related extension as the agency will automatically provide filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area.

The current list of eligible localities is updated and available on the IRS Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page.

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2023 Tax Deadlines For Filing 2022 Returns

The IRS started processing tax returns for the 2023 tax season from the week of January 23rd (as predicted by this site a few months ago!). Important 2023 tax deadlines and dates are shown in the chart below.

The filing deadline for the regular tax season will be April 18th, 2023 given that the normal April 15th deadline falls on the weekend and the Emancipation day holiday (April 17th) in DC. Approved extension filings will be due by October 18th, 2023. Areas with FEMA disaster declarations in place will get further extensions on these dates.

It is expected that tax payers will again face some level of delays in the upcoming tax season due to the sheer volume of filings (168 million filings expected), but thanks to increased IRS funding, no new stimulus or tax credit programs and easing post-pandemic staffing conditions, delays should be much shorter.

2023 Tax Season Key Dates
Tax Related Activity
Jan 3rdOfficial start of the current tax season. You can start filing a federal tax return via e-file or mailed-in paper returns, though the IRS generally will not accept and process tax returns until January 23rd
Jan 13thIRS Free File opens and eligible providers will start accepting returns and submit to IRS after Jan 23rd
Jan 17thFinal estimated tax quarterly payment due for 2022
Jan 23rdIRS E-file goes "live" allowing acceptance and processing of electronic tax returns for the vast majority of tax filers. Paper tax returns will begin processing a week or two later (see est. IRS refund schedule)
Feb 1stDate by which you should have received a W-2 from employer(s) you worked for during the tax year. If not, contact their HR/Payroll department to resend tax documents.
Feb 1stDeadline for receiving 1099 statements (factors in your AGI income) that report non-employee compensation, bank interest, dividends and distributions from a retirement plan. Financial institutions (e.g Vanguard, Fidelity) must also mail out 1099-B, 1099-S and 1099-MISC forms by this date. See what these forms are and if you will need one for your return
Feb 28thPATH Act Lifts (estimated IRS date). Refund dates released for taxpayers who have filed electronically and claimed the EITC or ACTC. Impacted refund payments will generally start 8 to10 days after this date. See more on PATH updates and processing.
March 15thS Corporation and Partnership tax returns or extension requests due
April 18th*Tax Day* Last day for on-time filing of federal and state IRS income tax returns or for submitting extension requests (Form 4868). This is 3 days later than the usual April 15th date because of the weekend and DC's Emancipation day holiday. Residents in FEMA approved federal disaster zones will also get an automatic extension (see below). Otherwise all tax liabilities or payments must be made by this day to avoid interest and penalties. This includes returns with approved extensions to file. If you are unable to pay your taxes, you can apply for an IRS payment plan.
April 18thLast day to make a tax filing year contribution to Traditional or Roth IRAs, Health Savings Account (HSA), SEP-IRAs.
April 18thFBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) forms due for taxpayers who have signature authority over $10,000 in total in foreign bank accounts in the prior year. Laws enacted last year change the standard FBAR due date to "tax day" (vs June 30th as in years past). No extensions are allowed and forms must be filed electronically.
May 15thTax Day for designated FEMA relief areas where the IRS provided tax payment and filing extensions. Individuals and households that reside or have a business in these areas may qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the IRS disaster relief page.
June 15thU.S. citizens or resident aliens living abroad must file tax returns by this date (or request a four-month extension). See section below for more details. Any actual or estimated taxes are still due by Tax Day.
Oct 16thDue date to file approved extensions for federal, state and S-Corp/Partnership income tax returns

The IRS tax filing calendar is based on published IRS schedules, tax publications and estimates from prior tax years. It should not be constructed as official IRS information. Also note that extended filing deadlines are provided for victims in federally declared disaster areas

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57 thoughts on “2024 IRS Tax Season Calendar and Key Filing Dates”

  1. I think that your dates for US Citizens living abroad is wrong.

    “September 18 U.S. citizens or resident aliens living abroad must file tax returns and pay any taxes due by this date (or file for a four-month extension)”

    This has always been June 15, as far as I am aware. There is an extension that brings it to Oct 15, the last day for everyone.

    I believe you have to update this.

    Reply
    • Thank you Alan. Spot on. Appreciate you letting me know. If may shift to June 18th (since April 18th is normal season deadline), but trying to confirm

      Reply
  2. This line under 2022 Tax Filing Deadlines: “April 15” “*Tax Day* Last day for filing federal and state income tax returns and extension requests. Extended by the IRS from the normal April 15th date.” In other words it says the deadline was extended by the IRS from April 15th to April 15th, which doesn’t make sense. I suggest removing the sentence “Extended by the IRS from the normal April 15th date.”

    Reply
    • Thanks and updated. IRS also confirmed today that April 18th will be official due date (due to emancipation holiday in DC) so updated to reflect that.

      Reply
      • I just saw that they extended the date today to the 18th and came here to modify my earlier comment. I’m glad to see that you already made the changes. I was just trying to be helpful.

        Reply
  3. Yes, my team and I go and update when time permits or pertinent new updates. If you look at the end of the article, it says when last modified.

    Reply
  4. Anyone else that is subject to the PATH Act have your bars taken away and given the following message:

    According to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits.
    Check Where’s My Refund in mid- to late February for your personalized refund status. It’s updated once a day and remains the best way to check the status of your refund.

    Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
    Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
    Please Note:
    For refund information, please continue to check here, or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day.

    Thought I’d check.
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  5. I did mine the 1st of February it was accepted but still processing how long do u think it will take for direct deposit?

    Reply
    • I e-filed. On Feb 3rd accepted on 4th bars went away and now just a message of it is still processing will put a date up when we get one thank you something to that effect. Ughh

      Reply
  6. I tried efile my 2016 return using turbo tax , I’m in the state of Florida and it has Florida as a state I cannot efile, When will Florida be ok to efile????

    Reply
  7. I own a small business I need to submit my corporate taxes before I can apply for a home mortgage. Does anybody know when E filing for corporations goes live?

    Reply
  8. I think a correction might be in order:

    Starting this year, the FBAR filing deadline is Tax Day, rather than the end of June.
    Please update accordingly.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the catch and comment George. I missed this update. Also double checked with the IRS website and you are spot on – “The recently enacted Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 changes the standard FBAR due date to April 15 beginning with the 2016 calendar year reports, which are due in 2017. The FBAR deadline for calendar year 2015 reports remains June 30, 2016 (with no extensions allowed).”

      Reply
  9. I have always filed my own taxes, every year. Working a little or alot. Been Unemployed and Employed… but last year, 2015/2016 threw me a curve ball. I was receiving EBT assistance aka Food Stamps, but not Medi-Cal/Medi-Care. I finally got around to applying. I wasn’t making enough to get my own Health Insurance. Only Health from them but not Dental which is what I really need. Anyway, last year when it came time to file my taxes I got scared about not having Health Insurance so I only filed my State. My question is “Can I still file my Federal, and How ?, meaning what forms would I use.” I usually use 1040EZ.

    Reply
    • don’t know if you’ll ever see this, seeing as it’s over 6 years later, but when obama(no)care came out…..i went to the website, pretty sure it was on the irs/medicare site…..anyway, i went there, scrolled down, read all about it, because i had no intention of signing up for it, because i don’t think the government should force health insurance down my throat. if i want to pay out of pocket to go to a doctor (or not), that’s my business!! in the drop down menu regarding the policies about the penalty for not getting obama(no)care, the penalty is THERE IS NO PENALTY!!! i read that one over about five times!!! seriously, they want you to get it, they threaten you with penalties if you don’t get it, and the penalty is…… nothing.
      so, put that in your pipe and smoke it!!

      Reply
  10. I Need Some Assistance,I Filed My 2015-2016 Tax Return And They Approved My Federal Tax Refund And Sent Me A Check But Then A Few Weeks Later I Was Told That My STATE Tax Return Was Pulled Randomly For Audit And I Never Received A Refund From My State Tax Return NOW I’m Worried That When I File THIS Year 2016-2017 Are They Gonna Take My Whole Federal Tax Refund Because Of The Audit Last Year? Even Though I Never Received A State Refund Check…..ANY Help Is Welcome Thank You

    Reply
    • Wel,,,the state and federal (IRS) are different agencies. But if your state refund was pulled for an audit and there were issues likely will get examined again this year. If you do owe state taxes, the IRS may work with your local tax agency to garnish any amounts due, but this depends on the audit results. My suggestion is you call your local/state tax agency and ask them. They legally have to tell you why no refund was paid or if you owe more taxes. If the audit is in progress your current year tax refund will be processed normally.

      Reply
  11. Would you be kind enough to advise me when you intend to allow submission of 2015 1040NR
    Income Tax Returns. Will the 2014 rules of at least six months processing time apply for 2015?

    Many thanks for your response.

    Peter Rich

    Reply
  12. Official IRS notice on 2015-16 Tax season (per IRS.gov)

    2016 Tax Season Opens Jan. 19 for Nation’s Taxpayers

    WASHINGTON ― Following a review of the tax extenders legislation signed into law last week, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.

    The IRS will begin accepting individual electronic returns that day. The IRS expects to receive more than 150 million individual returns in 2016, with more than four out of five being prepared using tax return preparation software and e-filed. The IRS will begin processing paper tax returns at the same time. There is no advantage to people filing tax returns on paper in early January instead of waiting for e-file to begin.

    “We look forward to opening the 2016 tax season on time,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “Our employees have been working hard throughout this year to make this happen. We also appreciate the help from the nation’s tax professionals and the software community, who are critical to helping taxpayers during the filing season.”

    As part of the Security Summit initiative, the IRS has been working closely with the tax industry and state revenue departments to provide stronger protections against identity theft for taxpayers during the coming filing season.

    The filing deadline to submit 2015 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2016, rather than the traditional April 15 date. Washington, D.C., will celebrate Emancipation Day on that Friday, which pushes the deadline to the following Monday for most of the nation. (Due to Patriots Day, the deadline will be Tuesday, April 19, in Maine and Massachusetts.)

    Koskinen noted the new legislation makes permanent many provisions and extends many others for several years. “This provides certainty for planning purposes, which will help taxpayers and the tax community as well as the IRS,” he said.

    The IRS urges all taxpayers to make sure they have all their year-end statements in hand before filing, including Forms W-2 from employers, Forms 1099 from banks and other payers, and Form 1095-A from the Marketplace for those claiming the premium tax credit.

    “We encourage taxpayers to take full advantage of the expanding array of tools and information on IRS.gov to make their tax preparation easier,” Koskinen said.

    Although the IRS begins accepting returns on Jan. 19, many tax software companies will begin accepting tax returns earlier in January and submitting them to the IRS when processing systems open.

    Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds remains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund. The IRS anticipates issuing more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. Find free options to get tax help, and to prepare and file your return on IRS.gov or in your community if you qualify. Go to IRS.gov and click on the Filing tab to see your options.

    Seventy percent of the nation’s taxpayers are eligible for IRS Free File. Commercial partners of the IRS offer free brand-name software to about 100 million individuals and families with incomes of $62,000 or less;
    Online fillable forms provides electronic versions of IRS paper forms to all taxpayers regardless of income that can be prepared and filed by people comfortable with completing their own returns.
    The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offer free tax help to people who qualify. Go to irs.gov and enter “free tax prep” in the search box to learn more and find a VITA or TCE site near you, or download the IRS2Go app on your smart phone and find a free tax prep provider.

    The IRS also reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can provide helpful information and advice about the ever-changing tax code.

    Reply
    • As far as I know, you can still file your taxes as far back as 3 years. All you need is your W2 forms for the year(s) that you are requesting to file. The dates to file them is the same as the 2015 year.

      Reply
      • But remember if you owe taxes, the interest and penalties start accruing from the tax year you owed that tax. So file on time or pay what you owe because interest and penalties can add up fast.

        Reply
  13. I received my tax refund April 1st. It was accepted and approved Feb 2. It was flagged for possible identity theft. Every thing checked out fine and they sent my refund. Hope this help some of you.

    Reply
  14. Return accepted February 2nd. It’s been 2 months today. The “where’s my refund” link states that my return is still being processed. Can’t get in touch with anyone when I call the 1800 number. Spoke to a tax advocate, after being on hold for over an hour and they still couldn’t tell me why. This is so frustrating And certainly not fair.

    Reply
  15. I filed on the Jan 24!! And it is still processing! Why!! I don’t understand!! People filed a week or two after me and they already received theres!!

    Reply
  16. Wondering which tax software is the best for filing your return? By way of bloomberg here is a review

    TaxACT is the cheapest option for most people. With only 115 full-time employees, TaxACT spends little on marketing but handles 7 million returns a year. Its pricing is relatively simple: Nothing at all for a basic federal filing tool with all the necessary forms, plus $15 for state filing. A deluxe package — federal return, state return and more guidance — costs $20.

    H&R Block claims the cheapest option – $20 for a state and federal return. But that’s only available to those who fit narrow criteria, homeowners or others who file a 1040 form with Schedule A. And it’s only a better deal than TaxACT’s $20 option if you take into account H&R Block’s “in-person audit support.” Other H&R Block federal options cost $30 and $50 online.

    TurboTax charges $37 for a state return on top of a federal return (the same as H&R Block). TurboTax raised prices by $5 this year, bringing “premier” to $55, or more than $90, if you include a state return. TurboTax says it can charge more because it’s a better product than its rivals;

    Reply
    • Great question. For Self employed individuals you should be able to file from next week. Though if you generate your own W2 (for S-corp or LLC) you should be able to file as an individual now and for your business later

      Reply
  17. If I file my taxes today. 1/23. Then it gets direct deposit into my account within 10 days correct? So I should have my refund by 2/2?

    Reply
    • You should get in the prescribed time. But check the IRS, “Where is my refund tool” from IRS.gov to get the latest status. Also if there are issues with your return it may take longer to receive your refund.

      Reply
  18. I filed my tax return on 1/14/15 and it was accepted right on 1/20/15, however, it is only received to this day 1/23/15. Any reason why it hasnt been processed yet or are they not going to process ANY returns until 1/31. I got my refund within 7 days last year and dont know why it’s taking so long this year when i filed earlier.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • I did this too I also checked where is my refund it just sat received… Last yr I got my refund n like 7 day… I don’t know y its taking longer this year… Sorry no help..

      Reply
  19. WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service and the Free File Alliance today announced the launch of Free File, which makes brand-name tax software products and electronic filing available to most taxpayers for free.

    Free File software can help taxpayers with tax preparation, including the health care law that will affect almost everyone. People can use Free File software immediately but e-filed returns will not be transmitted to the IRS until Tuesday, January 20, when the filing season officially begins.

    Free File is available only at IRS.gov/FreeFile, thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of 14 leading tax software companies that make their branded products available for free. Since 2003, more than 43 million people have used Free File, saving $1.3 billion based on a conservative $30-fee estimate.

    Reply
    • There is not much of a timing difference in your refund if you file sooner rather than later. But the advantage of filing earlier is that you get it out of the way (less stress), reduce the risk of someone filing on your behalf (a common IRS security risk) and also provide time to file any amendments. That being said, filing early is hard for a lot of people because they need to wait till the end of Jan to get employer documents (W2 etc) and also the IRS sometimes has internal delays due to issues with their systems when processing early returns.

      Reply
  20. The Internal Revenue Service announced today that processing of tax returns claiming education credits will begin by the middle of February. Taxpayers using Form 8863, Education Credits, can begin filing their tax returns after the IRS updates its processing systems. Form 8863 is used to claim two higher education credits — the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit

    Reply
    • By education credit do you mean POEPLE using form 1098? I already filled and I wanted to know if it would take even longer to receive my refund because I added my 1098. I filed on 1/16 and My refund status is “accepted”

      Reply
  21. The IRS has confirmed that it will begin processing most individual income tax returns on Jan. 30 after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its processing systems.

    The IRS will not process paper or electronic tax returns before the Jan. 30 opening date, so there is no advantage to filing on paper before then. Using e-file is the best way to file an accurate tax return, and using e-file with direct deposit is the fastest way to get a refund. Many major software providers are accepting tax returns in advance of the Jan. 30 processing date. These software providers will hold onto the returns and then electronically submit them after the IRS systems open. If you use commercial software, check with your provider for specific instructions about when they will accept your return. Software companies and tax professionals send returns to the IRS, but the timing of the refunds is determined by IRS processing, which starts Jan. 30.

    After the IRS starts processing returns, it expects to process refunds within the usual timeframes. Last year, the IRS issued more than nine out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days, and it expects the same results in 2013. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, some tax returns will require additional review and take longer. To help protect against refund fraud, the IRS has put in place stronger security filters this filing season.

    After taxpayers file a return, they can track the status of the refund with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool available on the IRS.gov website. New this year, instead of an estimated date, Where’s My Refund? will give people an actual personalized refund date after the IRS processes the tax return and approves the refund. “Where’s My Refund?” will be available for use after the IRS starts processing tax returns on Jan. 30. Initial information will generally be available within 24 hours after the IRS receives the taxpayer’s e-filed return or four weeks after mailing a paper return. The system updates every 24 hours, usually overnight. There’s no need to check more than once a day.

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