When Does Tax Season Start?

2019 is the second year in a row that tax season, which in most years has typically started in the third week of January, will get off to a late start. A few days ago, amidst the government shutdown, the IRS announced the January 28th start date. Beginning January 28th, the IRS will accept paper and electronic tax returns.

Impact of Government Shutdown on Tax Season Dates

People throughout the nation were concerned what effect the government shutdown would have on the start day, and more importantly, on refunds. Fortunately, along with the start date, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig announced earlier this week that taxpayers would receive their refunds on time.  

Other Factors Impacting Income Tax Season

In spite of the government shutdown, what most experts are saying is the real cause of this delayed start is the new 1040 form that IRS officials created for this year. Taxpayers will no longer use Form 1040A or 1040EZ, but instead, everyone will complete the same Form 1040, which has six new schedules. The IRS claims most people will only need to complete Form 1040 without any of the new numbered schedules.

Important Reminders for 2019 Tax Season

Below, we highlight a few important things to keep in mind as tax season gets underway.

  1. As always, the IRS encourages people to file electronically: Whether you’re using a software or a professional tax preparer, it’s always important to file electronically to ensure you get your refund on time. In addition, filing electronically helps avoid errors that could lead to red flags.
  2. When does tax season end? Monday, April 15th is Tax Day 2019, meaning it’s the last day of tax season. You don’t have to rush to submit your tax returns right away on January 28th, but we also suggest to file before the April 15th deadline to avoid having to rush and risk making mistakes.
  3. Contact your tax preparer sooner than later: Especially given all of the new tax reforms that go into effect this year, it’s important to give your tax preparer the time to be able to review all of your documents and make sure everything gets filed correctly.

 

The tax forms 1040,1120,1065. Tax Day concept.

By making sure you follow these simple steps, you put yourself in a better position to make filing your taxes a smooth process and reduce the likelihood of an audit. In the unfortunate event of an audit, however, you can call our team of tax professionals and CPAs at IRS Audit Group to help guide you to a successful resolution. We offer full audit representation services for both IRS and state audits, as well as provide a free initial audit consultation