February 12, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

IRS Declares Official Start of 2024 Tax Season on Jan. 29 – Anticipates Over 128 Million Returns

Taxpayers Encouraged to Prepare Early as IRS Unveils New Tools

By Dolores Quintana

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today that Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, will mark the official commencement of the nation’s 2024 tax season, signaling the commencement of the acceptance and processing of 2023 tax returns.

The IRS anticipates an influx of over 128.7 million individual tax returns by the April 15, 2024, tax deadline.

While the IRS will officially initiate the acceptance and processing of tax returns on Jan. 29, individuals using software companies or tax professionals can begin working on their taxes before then. Many software companies accept electronic submissions, holding them until the IRS is ready for processing later in the month. IRS Free File will also be accessible on IRS.gov starting Jan. 12, preceding the filing season opening. The IRS Direct File pilot, undergoing final testing, is expected to be widely available in mid-March to eligible taxpayers in participating states.

Continuing its transformation efforts, the IRS aims to build upon the successes of the 2023 tax season, focusing on enhancing services for taxpayers throughout the 2024 filing season.

“As our transformation efforts take hold, taxpayers will continue to see a marked improvement in IRS operations in the upcoming filing season,” noted IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “IRS employees are working hard to ensure that new funding is utilized to assist taxpayers, making the tax preparation and filing process more accessible.”

Some of the new and expanded tools and resources include:

  • Expanded in-person services, with Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) reopening or opening in various locations, offering extended hours nationwide.
  • Increased help on the toll-free line and an expanded customer call-back feature to reduce wait times significantly.
  • Improvements to the Where’s My Refund? tool, enhancing refund status messaging and compatibility with mobile devices.
  • Enhanced paperless processing, allowing digital submission of correspondence, non-tax forms, and responses to notices, along with the ability to e-file 20 additional tax forms.
  • An upgraded IRS Individual Online Account with chat functionality, scheduling and canceling future payments, revising payment plans and validating and saving bank accounts.
  • Introduction of Direct File, a pilot tax filing service, providing eligible taxpayers with a new option to file 2023 federal tax returns online for free, directly with the IRS, expected to be widely available in mid-March.

The tax filing deadline for most taxpayers is April 15, 2024, with residents of Maine or Massachusetts having until April 17, 2024, due to the Patriot’s Day and Emancipation Day holidays. Taxpayers residing in federally declared disaster areas may also have additional filing time.

To facilitate a smooth filing process in 2024, the IRS advises taxpayers to prepare by gathering all necessary information, including Social Security numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Identification Numbers, and Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers. Filing electronically with direct deposit remains the fastest and easiest way to receive a refund.

IRS Free File opens on Jan. 12, 2024, providing a free service on IRS.gov for taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income of $79,000 or less in 2023. Free File Fillable Forms, part of this effort, becomes available at no cost for any income level starting Jan. 29, 2024.

While the IRS aims to issue most refunds in less than 21 days, taxpayers are cautioned not to rely on specific dates, especially for major purchases or bill payments. The Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app offers the easiest way to check refund status.

Under the federal Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refunds cannot be issued before mid-February. Most early EITC/ACTC filers should see updated statuses by Feb. 17, with refunds expected in bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 27 for those who chose direct deposit.

For comprehensive information and tools to aid in filing, taxpayers are encouraged to visit IRS.gov, where resources such as the IRS Individual Online Account, Interactive Tax Assistant, and the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers are readily available.

As the 2024 filing season approaches, the IRS remains committed to providing assistance through various programs, including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) initiatives. Additionally, MilTax offers free return preparation and electronic filing software for federal income tax returns and up to three state income tax returns for military members and some veterans.

Key dates for the 2024 filing season include:

  • January 12: IRS Free File opens.
  • January 16: Due date for 2023 fourth quarter estimated tax payments.
  • January 26: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day.
  • January 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.
  • October 15: Due date for extension filers.
Related Posts

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

ART& 2025: NeueHouse Unveils Inspiring Lineup Celebrating Feminine Leadership

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Four-Day Event in Venice Beach Explores Creativity, Activism, and Cultural Impact NeueHouse has unveiled the schedule for ART& 2025, a...

LA Attorney Who Represented Rodney King Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion Scheme

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Milton C. Grimes Ordered To Serve Time in Prison and Pay Restitution Milton C. Grimes, a longtime Los Angeles attorney,...

Canned Tuna Pulled from Shelves Over Botulism Contamination Risk

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

El Segundo Seafood Company Issues Voluntary Recall Through FDA Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a voluntary recall of certain canned tuna...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

Retailers Impose Egg Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Donate Blood, Save Lives: Culver City Hosts Valentine’s Week Drive

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Urgent Need for Donors as Red Cross Faces Critical Blood Shortages As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Culver City Police Department...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...

What about are you protected from future wildfires?

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent wildfires and Santa Ana windstorms in Southern California. We...

Actor Will Arnett Lists Stunning Beverly Hills-Area Home for $22.5 Million

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Comedy Star’s Modern Farmhouse Features Custom Podcast Studio Actor and comedian Will Arnett is selling his modern farmhouse-style home near...

Shore Hotel Remains Sustainability Leader

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

By Susan Payne On track to open its new coastal-inspired restaurant, Shore Hotel has excited new offerings and initiatives this...

Worker Injured in HVAC Explosion at Culver City Mall’s Roof

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Explosion on Mall Rooftop Leaves One Worker Hospitalized A worker sustained severe injuries in a workplace accident at the Culver...

Former Bed Bath & Beyond Near LAX to Be Transformed Into Affordable Housing

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Eight-Story Development with 333 Apartments Planned in Empty Warehouse Store According to a recent application submitted to the Los Angeles...

Rescheduled 2024 Homeless Count Needs More Volunteers on the Westside

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Not Enough Volunteers to Successfully Count Unhoused Angelenos This Year With the rescheduled dates for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles...

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...