Ready for tax season? Jan. 29 is the first day you can file taxes, so here's what to know

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·4 min read

The start of tax filing season is less than two weeks away. Though the filing deadline is still a few months out, why not get ahead of the game?

In order to help taxpayers — whether this is your first year filing on your own or you've been filing for years — we've answered some of the most common frequently asked questions.

When is the first day you can file taxes?

Monday, Jan. 29 is the first day the IRS will begin accepting tax returns. However, taxpayers can go ahead and get all of their documents in line now. If filing electronically, most online services allow taxpayers to input all of their necessary information now. The service will then send the returns to the IRS on the first day of filing.

The same is typically true when using a tax preparer. They can complete the return ahead of time and as soon as the agency opens for the day, all prepared returns will be sent to the IRS.

Are you eligible for IRS Free File?

Everyone can file their taxes for free using the IRS' Free File Fillable Forms, accessible on the IRS website. These forms do take a bit of work though, as all of the necessary forms must be filled out manually by the taxpayer.

Free guided tax preparation, on the other hand, is available to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income, or AGI, is $79,000 or less. The IRS works with eight "trusted partners," or online services, for free preparation. Each partner has different eligibility requirements based on AGI. Some partners also offer free filings on state tax returns.

  • Tax Act: AGI of $79,000 or less (does not offer free state tax returns in Missouri)

  • ezTaxReturn: AGI of $79,000 or less (does not offer free state tax returns)

  • 1040NOW: AGI of $68,000 or less (does not offer free state tax returns)

  • Online Taxes: AGI of $45,000 or less (offers free state tax returns in all states)

  • FreeTaxUSA: AGI of $45,000 or less (offers free state tax returns in all states)

  • 1040.com: AGI of $17,000-$79,000 (offers free state tax returns in Missouri)

  • FileYourTaxes: AGI between $8,000-$79,000 (does not offer free state tax returns in Missouri)

In order to take advantage of IRS Free File, taxpayers must access one of the eight partners through the IRS website. Taxpayers will not receive the free benefits if they visit a partner website directly.

Are you eligible for TurboTax Free Edition?

If you're a fan of using online services like TurboTax, which are not covered by IRS Free File, it's worth checking out if you are eligible for their services at no cost. TurboTax Free Edition is available to taxpayers filing a Form 1040 return with limited credits.

According to the TurboTax website, taxpayers with W-2 income, interest or dividends that don't require a Schedule B filing, IRS standard deduction, Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or student loan interest deduction are eligible for TurboTax Free Edition.

Taxpayers with itemized deductions claimed on a Schedule A filing, unemployment income reported in a 1099-G, business income, stock sales, rental property incomes, and credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or scheduled are not eligible.

TurboTax Free Edition is also available to active military members, veterans and their families and members of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which benefits lower- and moderate-income taxpayers.

How soon will you receive a refund?

If filing a return electronically and everything goes smoothly, expect a refund (if applicable) less than 21 calendar days after completion. If mailing a physical return in the mail, a refund can take four weeks or more to be processed.

If claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), a refund may take a bit longer to be processed and delivered. According to the IRS website, EITC and ACTC refunds cannot be issues before mid-February.

How can you check the status of a refund?

To check on the status of a refund, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool online or call the refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Statuses can be checked 24 hours after an electronic filing and four weeks after a physical mailed filing.

When is the last day to file taxes?

The final day to file tax returns is Monday, April 15.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Taxpayers can start filing returns on Jan. 29. Here's what to know