Attention taxpayers, as the 2023 tax season officially kicks off on January 29, 2024. That’s the day the IRS will start accepting and processing the previous year’s tax returns. More than 128.7 million individual returns are expected to be filed by April 15, the tax filing deadline.
Good news for the advanced ones: IRS Free File opens on January 12, 2024. Software companies participating in this program will accept completed tax returns and store them until they can be electronically filed with the IRS. Although the agency will not officially process them until January 29, you can go ahead if you use software programs or tax professionals. Most programs allow electronic filing, storing returns until the IRS is ready to begin processing.
The New Tax Season Is Here
For convenience, IRS Free File will also be available at IRS.gov starting January 12th, before the official start of the presentation season. The IRS Direct File pilot program will be phased in as final testing is completed and is expected to be available to eligible taxpayers in participating states by mid-March.
Following the success of the 2023 season, marked by significant improvements following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Law, the 2024 season will continue to reflect the focus on providing a better service to taxpayers.
“As our transformation efforts take hold, taxpayers will continue to see marked improvement in IRS operations in the upcoming filing season,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “IRS employees are working hard to make sure that new funding is used to help taxpayers by making the process of preparing and filing taxes easier.”
User-Friendly Tools to File Your Federal Taxes
Enhancing face-to-face support tailored to taxpayers’ needs, the IRS is expanding its in-person services through the establishment or reopening of Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs). Additionally, there will be extended operating hours at numerous TACs across the country, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience for individuals seeking assistance with their tax-related queries.
Also, increased help is available on the toll-free line and an expanded customer call back feature designed to significantly reduce wait times, wich is making the taxpayers do their filling easier than ever.
Enhancements are underway for the widely used “Where’s My Refund?” tool by the IRS, addressing the current limitations that often prompt taxpayers to contact the IRS directly for refund status inquiries. The updated version of Where’s My Refund? aims to offer more comprehensive and easily understandable information, presented in plain language. Moreover, these improvements will ensure the seamless functionality of Where’s My Refund? on mobile devices.
Additional to the mentioned tools, taxpayers will now have the capability for enhanced paperless submissions, allowing the digital submission of all correspondence, non-tax forms, and responses to notices. Additionally, there will be an expansion in the e-filing capacity to include 20 additional tax forms. This significant milestone aims to facilitate the digital submission of up to 125 million paper documents annually, marking a substantial leap toward a more efficient and environmentally friendly tax processing approach.
Finally, consider making use of the enhanced IRS Individual Online Account that includes chat, the option to schedule and cancel future payments, revise payment plans and validate and save bank accounts.