Tax season has officially begun.

Taxpayers should wait to file until they receive all their proper tax documents, or they risk making a mistake that could cause delays, according to The Internal Revenue Service.

The IRS said more than 168 million individual tax returns are expected to be filed this year, "with the vast majority of those coming before the April 18 tax deadline."

Deciding between hiring someone to do your taxes and taking the DIY route can be tricky. If you have a limited number of income sources and you plan to take the standard deduction, doing your own taxes will save you money and will be fairly straightforward. You can also check if you qualify for one of the IRS' free filing programs.

Getting your W-2

Your employer is required to send you a W-2 by Jan. 31. If you left an employer in 2022, make sure they have your current address.

When can I expect my tax refund?

If your return contains no errors or red flags, your refund should be delivered within 21 days if you file electronically and opt to have the money directly deposited in your bank account, the IRS said. But it could take longer if the debt ceiling isn't raised soon.

When is the last day to file taxes in 2023?

Taxes are due by April 18 since April 15 falls on a Saturday and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in Washington, D.C., is April 17.

Deadline for filing income tax returns that have received extensions

If you request an extension, you'll have until October 16 to file your return. Importantly, that doesn't buy you more time to pay your taxes. You'll still have to pay any amount due to avoid penalties, but you'll have more time to complete your tax forms.

What are 1099, W-4, W-2, W-9 and 1040 forms?

As tax season begins, it's important to understand the tax forms sent to you or the ones you're required to complete.

• W-9: Form typically used by independent contractors, freelancers and gig workers to provide identifying information such as your Social Security or tax identification number

• 1099: Used to report income that isn't directly earned through an employer

• W-4: Tells your direct employer how much federal income tax should be withheld from your paycheck

• W-2: Form your employer sends you by the end of January documenting how much money you earned working for them and how much tax was withheld from your paychecks

• 1040: Umbrella form for individual tax return

• 5695: Declares any residential energy credits you may qualify for

USA Today contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: How long does my tax refund take? See info on taxes, tracking returns