2024 INCOME TAX FILING SEASON STARTED ON 1/29/24
Barry Weller
by Barry L Weller, EA
The IRS and most states started accepting 2023 income tax returns on Monday, January 29, 2024, kicking off the 2024 tax season with a pledge to provide better service for taxpayers. The deadline for filing a return is Monday, April 15, 2024.
If you file your tax return electronically and if you choose direct deposit of that refund, the IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refunds within 21 days. However, refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit will be held until late February. The PATH Act is a federal law that was enacted in 2015 and is still in effect for this tax season. This law requires the IRS not release refunds for people claiming the EITC or ACTC before mid-February. The IRS must hold the entire refund, not just a portion of the refund attributed to the credits. Why the delay? The IRS needs time to screen these returns for fraud.
The IRS does have an on-line tool where taxpayers can check the status of their refund. The website address for “Where’s My Refund” is https://www.irs.gov/refunds.
Barry L Weller, EA is the president of Barry Weller & Associates with offices at 19 N Reading Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512 Phone (610) 367-8280 He is an enrolled agent, licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. (updated 2/1/2024)