Tax filing starts January 29, 2024, for most filers

The IRS begins accepting tax returns on January 29, 2024. This is the official opening date for the 2023 tax year. The IRS does not accept returns before this date, even if you have all your documents ready. If you submit a return before January 29, the IRS will reject it and you will have to resubmit.

The filing deadline itself is April 15, 2024. You have about 2.5 months from the opening date to file. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. In 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so that is your actual deadline.

The reason for the delayed start is processing time. The IRS needs time to receive W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms from banks and investment firms, and other income documents from third parties. Employers must send W-2s to employees by January 31, so the IRS waits a few days to let those documents arrive before opening the filing window.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS will not accept returns before January 29, 2024, regardless of whether you have your documents.
  • The filing deadline is April 15, 2024, and you have about 2.5 months to file once the window opens.
  • Filing early can speed up your refund, since the IRS processes returns in the order they arrive.
  • You can file as soon as January 29 if you have your W-2s and other income documents, even if your employer sent them late.

Why the IRS waits until late January to open

The IRS does not control when you receive your income documents. Employers must provide W-2 forms by January 31. Banks, investment firms, and other payers must send 1099 forms by the same date. The IRS opens the filing window a few days after the January 31 deadline to give those documents time to reach you in the mail or email.

If you file before you have your W-2 or 1099 forms, you will have to file an amended return later. This delays your refund and creates extra work. The IRS's January 29 start date assumes most people will have their documents by then, though some always arrive late.

When you can file if you have your documents early

You can file as soon as January 29, even if some of your documents have not arrived yet. If you are missing a W-2 from an employer, you can file using your pay stubs and the last pay stub from December. If you are missing a 1099, you can estimate the amount based on statements from your bank or brokerage.

Filing early has a real advantage: the IRS processes returns in the order they arrive. If you file on January 29 and your return is straightforward, you may receive your refund by mid-February. If you wait until March, the same return might not be processed until April or May, even though you filed before the deadline.

The downside is that if you filed with estimated amounts and the actual documents show different income, you will need to file an amended return. For most people, waiting a week or two for all documents to arrive is safer than filing early and amending later.

What happens if you file after April 15

If you do not file by April 15, you owe a failure-to-file penalty. The penalty is usually 5 percent of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month that the return is late, up to 25 percent total. If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty, but you lose interest on the refund money the longer you wait.

You can request an automatic extension that moves your deadline to October 15. The extension gives you six more months to file, but it does not extend the deadline to pay any tax you owe. If you owe money, you still have to pay by April 15 or face interest and penalties on the unpaid amount.

How to know if you need to file at all

Not everyone has to file a return. The IRS sets income thresholds based on your age and filing status. For 2023, a single person under 65 does not have to file if their income was under $13,850. A married couple filing jointly does not have to file if their combined income was under $27,700. These thresholds change each year.

Even if you are not required to file, you should file if you had taxes withheld from your paychecks or if you made quarterly estimated tax payments. Filing gets you a refund of that money. You should also file if you are owed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit, both of which require a return.

Where to file and what you need

You can file online through IRS Free File if your income is below a certain threshold (usually around $60,000 for 2023). Free File lets you use tax software at no cost. You can also use commercial tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, which charge a fee. Or you can file by mail using paper forms.

To file, you will need your Social Security number, your spouse's if filing jointly, your W-2s and 1099s, records of deductions if you itemize, and proof of any tax payments you made during the year. If you are claiming dependents, you need their Social Security numbers and birth dates. Keep receipts and statements for at least three years in case the IRS asks questions later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my taxes before January 29?

No. The IRS will reject any return submitted before January 29, 2024. You will have to resubmit it after that date. The delay exists because employers and other payers need time to send income documents to the IRS.

What if I do not have my W-2 by January 29?

You can file using your pay stubs and estimate the income. Once your W-2 arrives, check it against your return. If the amounts match, you are done. If they differ, you will need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X.

Do I lose my refund if I file late?

No. If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty for filing late. However, you do lose interest on the refund money the longer you wait. If you owe tax instead, you face penalties and interest starting April 15.

Is the October 15 extension automatic?

You have to request it. You can file Form 4868 by April 15 to get an automatic six-month extension. Filing the form does not extend the deadline to pay tax you owe — only the deadline to file the return itself.

What if April 15 is a weekend?

The deadline moves to the next business day. In 2024, April 15 is a Monday, so that is your deadline. If it were a Saturday, the deadline would be Monday, April 17.