Prepare for the upcoming tax season: The IRS has officially announced that tax filing will commence on January 27. This date marks an important milestone for millions of taxpayers.
Similar to last year, the 2025 tax season will kick off on the last Monday of January. However, this year’s start date is set two days earlier, offering taxpayers a head start.
The launch of tax season opens a crucial 78-day window during which over 140 million taxpayers can file their individual tax returns for the 2024 tax year, covering income earned from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year.
In a recent news release, the IRS highlighted that this filing season will include various expanded and enhanced tools aimed at assisting taxpayers, stemming from the agency’s significant modernization initiatives. These tools will feature text and virtual assistants to provide tax help, alongside innovative options for completing tax forms directly on mobile devices.
Regardless of whether you choose to file your taxes online or seek assistance from a tax professional, it’s essential to remain vigilant against prevalent tax scams. During this season, many taxpayers fall victim to phishing attempts that come via text messages and emails claiming to be from the IRS. Always remember: The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through phone calls, texts, or emails.
Essential Steps to Effectively Prepare for Tax Season
As the official start date of tax season approaches in just two weeks, now is the perfect time to begin gathering all necessary documents. Pay special attention to your W-2 forms; employers are required to send these out by January 31. Gathering this information early will streamline your filing process.
Consider utilizing tax preparation tools like TurboTax, which offer calculator features that can provide you with preliminary estimates of your tax liability or potential refund. This can help you plan better for the financial implications of your tax return.
If you’re eager to get ahead, you can even start preparing your taxes using online software now and place your return in a queue to be filed officially when the IRS begins accepting submissions.
The IRS Free File program is already operational. In partnership with eight tax preparation companies, this initiative allows millions of taxpayers to file their taxes online at no cost, provided their adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less for eligibility.
Additionally, taxpayers residing in 25 states have access to Direct File, the IRS’s own free guided tax-filing software. This program, which expanded from last year’s pilot involving only 12 states, will officially open on January 27, coinciding with the start of tax season.
Before proceeding to file your taxes, it’s wise to assess whether itemizing your deductions might benefit you more than taking the standard deduction. For the 2024 tax year, most taxpayers will claim a standard deduction of $14,600 for single filers, $21,900 for heads of households, and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. However, if your eligible deductions exceed these amounts, itemizing could lead to a larger refund or lower tax bill, making it worth the extra effort.
Important Tax Due Dates for 2025 You Should Not Miss
For the year 2025, Tax Day is set for April 15. It’s advisable to file your taxes well in advance of the midnight deadline unless you opt for an automatic extension using Form 4868. Keep in mind that while an extension grants you additional time to file, it does not extend the deadline for any taxes owed to the IRS.
Taxpayers residing in federally declared disaster areas may receive extended filing deadlines. This includes individuals and businesses in Los Angeles County, where wildfires pose a threat, as well as areas impacted by the major hurricanes of 2024. For further details on any potential extensions, you can visit the IRS website.
Understanding When to Expect Your Tax Refund
The IRS states that most refunds are typically issued within 21 days of filing, but processing may take longer if you choose to file a paper return. This timeline is crucial for taxpayers who rely on refunds for financial planning.
Over the past two years, more than 100 million tax refunds have been issued, with average refund amounts exceeding $3,000. While many taxpayers can look forward to a favorable refund again this year, the IRS cautions against counting on receiving a refund by a specific date, as delays are always a possibility.
To expedite the process of receiving your refund, consider filing your taxes electronically and opting for direct deposit as your delivery method. To stay informed about the status of your refund, utilize the Where’s My Refund? tool provided by the IRS. Simply enter your Social Security number or taxpayer ID, filing status, and refund amount to track your refund’s progress.
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