Get ready, tax filers! Mark your calendars: On January 27, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will officially commence accepting 2024 federal tax returns.

Get ready, tax filers! Mark your calendars: On January 27, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will officially commence accepting 2024 federal tax returns.

Rewritten Article:

Go ahead and submit your 2025 income tax returns starting from the first day of the new financial year. This announcement marks a significant leap forward for the IRS, as it unveils additional tools and features designed to streamline your tax filing experience.

According to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, "This has been a remarkable period of advancement for the IRS, and taxpayers will notice enhanced tools to assist them in filing their taxes during this tax season."

These improvements include a wider implementation of chatbots online and voicebots, ensuring smoother interactions when you contact the IRS with queries.

When are Returns Due?

The standard deadline to submit your 2025 return falls on April 15, as reported by the agency. However, not everyone obligated to file will meet this deadline. In fact, millions of Americans won't need to file by mid-April.

Residents or businesses operating in federally declared disaster areas may be entitled to an automatic filing extension, along with a deferred payment for any outstanding federal income taxes. Lists of affected areas and relevant tax-filing deadlines can be found here.

Specifically, due to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, taxpayers hailing from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, as well as parts of Tennessee and Virginia, have until May 1 to file their 2025 returns and remit any tax due, according to the IRS.

If you're not eligible for an automatic extension, but you can't file by mid-April, you may apply for an automatic six-month extension, due by April 15. Failure to do so may result in late-filing penalties if your return is tardy. It's essential to note that an extension for filing does not postpone your payment deadline. Remaining payments are still due by April 15, with late-payment penalties ensuing in case of non-compliance.

Direct File Program Grows

The IRS announced on Friday that its pioneering Direct File program will now be accessible in 25 states, expanding upon the initial 12 participating areas from last year's launch.

These states include:

1. Alaska
2. Arizona
3. California
4. Connecticut
5. Florida
6. Idaho
7. Illinois
8. Kansas
9. Maine
10. Maryland
11. Massachusetts
12. Nevada
13. New Hampshire
14. New Jersey
15. New Mexico
16. New York
17. North Carolina
18. Oregon
19. Pennsylvania
20. South Dakota
21. Tennessee
22. Texas
23. Washington State
24. Wisconsin
25. Wyoming

The program, which allows eligible tax filers to file their federal income tax returns directly with the IRS without charge, commences on January 27.

This year, the Direct File program will cover a broader range of tax situations, such as filers eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

Free Filers Can Submit Returns Early

As of January 10, individuals eligible for free tax preparation and filing through any of the IRS Free File partners can submit their returns. In total, eight private-sector partners support the initiative for taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $84,000 or lower in 2025. One partner offers a Spanish-language product as well.

Active-duty military personnel with an AGI of $84,000 or lower can also take advantage of free tax preparation and filing through IRS Free File.

Refund Expectations

If you anticipate receiving a refund, yet you miss the filing deadline, you may still avoid penalties – but your refund will be delayed until you file.

Typically, the majority of US taxpayers get a refund, and the IRS usually dispenses refunds within 21 days of submitting your return. However, the IRS notes that taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit must wait until mid-February to receive their refunds.

Last year, out of the nearly 161.5 million returns submitted, the IRS issued more than 103 million refunds. The average refund was over $3,100, according to Werfel in a press call.

To monitor the speed of your refund once you've submitted your return, you can use the IRS's "Where's My Refund" tool. For optimal refund delivery, the IRS recommends e-filing and selecting direct deposit as your refund method.

Some filers may receive separate checks from the IRS in the coming weeks. Just before Christmas, the agency announced it would send payments to 1 million filers who were determined eligible for the 2021 recovery rebate credit but had failed to claim it on their 2021 returns.

The Direct File program, which allows eligible taxpayers to file their federal income tax returns directly with the IRS without charge, is now available in 25 states. This includes states like California, Florida, and New York, and commences on January 27.

Many businesses can benefit from using the Direct File program, as it covers a broader range of tax situations, such as filers eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

(Note: The second sentence aligns with the context of the first one by emphasizing the expanded scope of the Direct File program, which can be beneficial for various businesses and taxpayers.)

Read also: