IRS Now Accepting 2023 Tax Returns

Yesterday, the Internal Revenue Service began to accept and process 2023 tax returns.

The IRS expects more than 128.7 million individual tax returns to be filed by the April 15, 2024, tax deadline.

IRS Free File became available on IRS.gov on Jan. 12 in advance of the filing season opening. Most software companies began accepting electronic submissions at that time and then held them until the IRS was ready to begin processing them today.

This tax season, taxpayers will continue to see helpful changes at the IRS following ongoing transformation work.

Some of the new and expanded tools and resources include:

Expanded in-person service by opening or reopening Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs).

Improvements to the “Where’s My Refund” tool.

Enhanced paperless processing that will enable taxpayers to submit all correspondence, non-tax forms, and responses to notices digitally and will be able to e-File 20 additional tax forms.

An 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.

Additionally, the IRS is instituting a new pilot tax filing service called Direct File which gives eligible taxpayers a new choice to file their 2023 federal tax returns online, for free, directly with the IRS.

It will be rolled out in phases and is expected to be widely available in mid-March.

For most taxpayers, the deadline to file their federal tax return, pay any tax owed, or request an extension to file is Monday, April 15, 2024.

If you filed for an extension, the deadline is October 15 to submit your return but if you owe money, you will still need to pay what you owe by the April 15 deadline or set up a payment plan.

If you need help preparing your taxes, AARP volunteers are offering free tax help at the Toccoa-Stephens County Library on Thursdays from 11a to 3p.