Tips to Help Taxpayers with January 30 Tax Season Opening

Tips to Help Taxpayers with January 30 Tax Season Opening

We thought it a good idea to share some tips to help taxpayers with the January, 30 tax season opening.  The IRS will begin processing most individual income tax returns on Jan. 30 after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its processing systems. The IRS anticipated many of the tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA), but the final law requires some changes before the IRS can begin accepting tax returns.

The IRS will not process paper or electronic tax returns before the Jan. 30 opening date, so there is no advantage to filing on paper before then. Using e-file is the best way to file an accurate tax return, and using e-file with direct deposit is the fastest way to get a refund.

Many major software providers are accepting tax returns in advance of the Jan. 30 processing date. These software providers will hold onto the returns and then electronically submit them after the IRS systems open. If you use commercial software, check with your provider for specific instructions about when they will accept your return. Software companies and tax professionals send returns to the IRS, but the timing of the refunds is determined by IRS processing, which starts Jan. 30.

After the IRS starts processing returns, it expects to process refunds within the usual timeframes. Last year, the IRS issued more than nine out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days, and it expects the same results in 2013. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, some tax returns will require additional review and take longer. To help protect against refund fraud, the IRS has put in place stronger security filters this filing season.

After taxpayers file a return, they can track the status of the refund with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool available on the IRS.gov website. New this year, instead of an estimated date, Where’s My Refund? will give people an actual personalized refund date after the IRS processes the tax return and approves the refund.

“Where’s My Refund?” will be available for use after the IRS starts processing tax returns on Jan. 30. Here are some tips for using “Where’s My Refund?” after it’s available on Jan. 30:

Initial information will generally be available within 24 hours after the IRS receives the taxpayer’s e-filed return or four weeks after mailing a paper return.

The system updates every 24 hours, usually overnight. There’s no need to check more than once a day.

“Where’s My Refund?” provides the most accurate and complete information that the IRS has about the refund, so there is no need to call the IRS unless the web tool says to do so.

To use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, taxpayers need to have a copy of their tax return for reference. Taxpayers will need their social security number, filing status and the exact dollar amount of the refund they are expecting.

For the latest information about the Jan. 30 tax season opening, tax law changes and tax refunds, visit IRS.gov.

We hope you found this article about “Tips to Help Taxpayers with January 30 Tax Season Opening” helpful.  If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page  or our website at www.GROCO.com.  Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.

To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates.

Considerately yours,

GROCO, GROCO Tax, GROCO Technology, GROCO Advisory Services, GROCO Consulting Services, GROCO Relationship Services, GROCO Consulting/Advisory Services, GROCO Family Office Wealth, and GROCO Family Office Services.

Alan Olsen, CPA

 

 

Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio

 

 

 

Proud sponsor of the AD Show.

American-Dreams-Show-Accounting-firm-in-ca-cpa-tax-advisors-groco-alan-olsen

Posted in ,
Ryan Evans

Inboard – Disrupting Urban Transportation | Ryan Evans

  About Ryan Evans Ryan Evans is the CEO and Co-founder of Inboard Technology. Ryan has always liked being outside, action sports, and business. When the opportunity to came to start Inboard, he jumped at the chance to build his career on these three passions. Ryan and his friend, Theo Cerboneschi, founded Inboard Technology in…

David Cline

How to Ensure Success in Your Career | David Cline

About David Cline David Cline is one of two founding partners of Global Allies. David is a seasoned veteran with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and home furnishings industry. David along with his partner, Isaac Kubryk are committed to providing a higher level of product quality and service to the hospitality industry.…

Mandy Barton

Step One Jump! | Mandy Barton

  About Mandy Barton Mandy Barton found her purpose, to increase the good of life around her. That’s it. One simple premise, one strong principle that has sprouted an empire built to better yourself, better others and in turn better the world around you. That’s what Mandy Barton believes in. From the moment she decided…

Insynctive | Gary Goldstein

Insynctive | Gary Goldstein

Transcript, Insynctive | Gary Goldstein Alan Welcome back. I’m visiting here today with Gary Goldstein. And Gary is the founder of instinctive. Gary, welcome to today’s show, Gary Hey thanks Alan! I appreciate you having me here today. Alan So Gary, for the listeners, can you give me your background and how you got to…