Tax season in Alabama officially begins next week.

Here’s what you need to know:

First, key dates to know

Alabama Department of Revenue will start accepting and processing tax returns on Jan. 29, the same date as the Internal Revenue Service. The filing deadline for individual tax returns is April 15.

File electronically

The big benefit of filing electronically? You get your refund quicker. ALDOR said those who file return electronically with direct deposit receive their refund quicker than those who file paper returns. If you must pay, electronic options are the best method, ALDOR said. You can see more on that here.

Where can I find income tax forms?

2023 Individual Income Tax forms and instructions can be found here.

What about free file?

You can file state returns free using My Alabama Taxes at  myalabamataxes.alabama.gov.

What’s the deadline for W-2s?

Employers must file employee W-2 information with ALDOR by Jan. 31. Employers who are late can face penalties and possibly slow processing of employees’ tax returns.

An issue with your return?

If you receive a letter from ALDOR, you should review it as quickly as possible to get a refund. Don’t get fooled by scammers, though. ALDOR never contact taxpayers initially by phone, text or email, only by letters sent through the mail.

Never give anyone your personal information without confirming they are the proper authorities.

What kind of letters does ALDOR send and why?

There are several different types of letters ALDOR sends, including:

• Identity Confirmation letter – Asks that you take a short online quiz or provide copies of documents to verify your identity.
• Return verification letter – Asks that you verify online whether you or your representative filed the tax return ALDOR received.
• Accuracy checks – About 3-5% of individual income tax returns received each year are reviewed due to math errors or missing information.  These reviews can prompt a request for information letter or a tax computation change letter.

How long will my refund take?

When and how you file your return largely determines when your refund can be issued. Electronically file returns have refunds back “significantly faster” than mailed returns, ALDOR said. Filing earlier helps, too. Returns tend to pile up later in the season – roughly 30% of filers submit their returns in April – and that can lengthen processing time to as long as 90 days.

First-time filers may have to wait longer, too

It can take additional time, typically 10-12 weeks, for new filers to be validated and entered into ALDOR system. Until then, the Refund Status website won’t recognize these taxpayers and will show their return as “not entered into the system.”

Other filers

E-filers can expect their refunds about 8-10 weeks after the date their receive their filing acknowledgment from the state. Returns filed via paper take about 8-12 weeks to process.

Where’s my refund?

ALDOR will begin releasing income tax refunds on March 1. You can track your refund at My Alabama Taxes myalabamataxes.alabama.gov or by calling the refund hotline at 1-855-894-7391 or the daytime refund status line at 334-309-2612.