IRS starts accepting tax returns today: How long will it take to get your refund?
Today is the official start of tax season.
The Internal Revenue Service will start accepting and processing tax returns today (Jan. 29), starting with those already submitted by those using preparation software or tax professionals. The agency expect more than 128.7 million individual tax returns to be filed by the April 15 deadline.
Taxpayers living in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 17 due to Patriot’s Day and Emancipation Day holidays. If a taxpayer resides in a federally declared disaster area, they may also have additional time to file.
Barring review or other errors, most refunds are issued within 21 days, the IRS said, if people file electronically with direct deposit. There are two major exceptions for the three-week guideline, however, for those filing the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. To prevent identity theft, refunds for returns with the EITC or ACTC can’t be issued before the end of February. Where’s My Refund? Should show updated status for these returns by Feb. 17 and they should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 27 if they choose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax returns.
READ MORE: How to file your taxes for free
Where’s My Refund?
The IRS has updated its Where’s My Refund tool so it will show more detailed status information in plain language, including whether the IRS needs them to respond to a letter requesting additional information.
Key filing dates
Jan. 29: Filing season start date for individual tax returns.
April 15: Due date of filing a tax return or requesting an extension for most of the nation.
April 17: Due date for Maine and Massachusetts.
Oct. 15: Due date for extension filers.