The Internal Revenue Service announced on Monday that it will begin accepting 2021 federal tax returns on Jan. 24, kicking off tax season.
With some exceptions, taxpayers will have until April 18 to file their 2021 individual returns and pay any taxes owed to the federal government from last year. Typically, the tax filing deadline is April 15, although Washington, D.C., is observing Emancipation Day on that Friday, so it was pushed to the following Monday.
“Planning for the nation’s filing season process is a massive undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several months to prepare,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund don’t face processing delays.”
PEOPLE FLEEING HIGH-TAX STATES TO LOWER-TAX STATES DURING THE PANDEMIC: REPORT
Rettig said that in order to prevent tax return delays, people should file their returns electronically with direct deposit and avoid a paper tax return. He urged extra attention for those who received COVID-19 stimulus checks or an advance child tax credit last year and said providing the IRS with the most accurate information will help avoid delays.
At the outset of tax filing season, the IRS typically has fewer than 1 million backlogged items to address, although this year, because of factors including pandemic-related staffing issues and a lack of resources, the backlog is several times larger than normal.
During a call with reporters, IRS officials said they expect a “frustrating season” for the IRS and taxpayers, as the agency will face “enormous challenges” with this year’s tax filing workload. Officials have cautioned that refunds could be delayed for some filers, according to the Washington Post.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
While April 18 is the deadline for the vast majority of the country, taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19 to file their returns due to the Patriots’ Day holiday in those states. Tax filing deadlines will be extended for parts of the country that have been declared federal disaster areas after natural disasters.
