Electronic filing opens January 29, 2018
The IRS began accepting tax returns on Jan. 29, with nearly 155 million individual tax returns expected to be filed in 2018. The nation’s tax deadline will be April 17 this year – so taxpayers will have two additional days to file beyond April 15.
Although the IRS will begin accepting both electronic and paper tax returns Jan. 29, paper returns will begin processing later in mid-February as system updates continue. The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns electronically for faster refunds.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that, by law, the IRS cannot issue refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. While the IRS will process those returns when received, it cannot issue related refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts is starting on Feb. 27, 2018, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return.
Check the status of your refunds here.
Individual filing deadline is April 17, 2018
The filing deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is Tuesday, April 17, 2018, rather than the traditional April 15 date. In 2018, April 15 falls on a Sunday, and this would usually move the filing deadline to the following Monday – April 16. However, Emancipation Day – a legal holiday in the District of Columbia – will be observed on that Monday, which pushes the nation’s filing deadline to Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Under the tax law, legal holidays in the District of Columbia affect the filing deadline across the nation.
Extension of time to file
Filing extensions may be granted automatically, but an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay your taxes. A more severe penalty is imposed for failing to file on time, so your return should be filed on or before the due date, or an extension should be filed by then. Penalties and interest charges also exist for failure to pay your whole tax bill by the due date, even if you file for an extension of time to file. Click here for more information on penalties. Form 4868 is used to request an automatic filing extension.
Business tax return deadlines
Partnership and S-Corporation returns are due March 15, 2018. Trust and C-Corporation returns are due April 17, 2018. Each type of return may apply for an extension of time to file.
Last updated 1/12/18