Eau Claire (WQOW) - The
IRS has announced a late start date for this year's tax filing season.
The agency says most taxpayers will
be able to start filing tax returns on January 30th. That's about two weeks
later than normal. The agency says because Congress didn't pass the tax policy
until they passed the fiscal cliff bill, they had to scramble to finalize all
the tax forms. There are some taxpayers who will not be able to file until February
or March because there are more extensive tax forms and systems that need to be
changed.
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Here is the press release from the
IRS about who can file when:
WASHINGTON — Following the January
tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA),
the Internal Revenue Service announced today it plans to open the 2013 filing
season and begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 30.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on that
date after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its
processing systems. This will reflect the bulk of the late tax law changes
enacted Jan. 2. The announcement means that the vast majority of tax filers —
more than 120 million households — should be able to start filing tax returns
starting Jan 30.
The IRS estimates that remaining households will
be able to start filing in late February or into March because of the need for
more extensive form and processing systems changes. This group includes people
claiming residential energy credits, depreciation of property or general
business credits. Most of those in this group file more complex tax returns and
typically file closer to the April 15 deadline or obtain an extension.
"We have worked hard to open tax season as soon
as possible," IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller said. "This date ensures
we have the time we need to update and test our processing systems."
The IRS will not process paper tax returns
before the anticipated Jan. 30 opening date. There is no advantage to filing on
paper before the opening date, and taxpayers will receive their tax refunds
much faster by using e-file with direct deposit.
"The best option for taxpayers is to file
electronically," Miller said.
The opening of the filing season follows passage
by Congress of an extensive set of tax changes in ATRA on Jan. 1, 2013, with
many affecting tax returns for 2012. While the IRS worked to anticipate the
late tax law changes as much as possible, the final law required that the IRS
update forms and instructions as well as make critical processing system
adjustments before it can begin accepting tax returns.
The IRS originally planned to open electronic
filing this year on Jan. 22; more than 80 percent of taxpayers filed
electronically last year.
Who Can File Starting Jan. 30?
The IRS anticipates that the vast majority of
all taxpayers can file starting Jan. 30, regardless of whether they file
electronically or on paper. The IRS will be able to accept tax returns affected
by the late Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch as well as the three major
"extender" provisions for people claiming the state and local sales tax
deduction, higher education tuition and fees deduction and educator expenses
deduction.
Who Can't File Until Later?
There are several forms affected by the late
legislation that require more extensive programming and testing of IRS systems.
The IRS hopes to begin accepting tax returns including these tax forms between
late February and into March; a specific date will be announced in the near
future.
The key forms that require more extensive
programming changes include Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits), Form 4562
(Depreciation and Amortization) and Form 3800 (General Business Credit). A full listing of the forms that won't be accepted until later is available on IRS.gov.
As part of this effort, the IRS will be working
closely with the tax software industry and tax professional community to
minimize delays and ensure as smooth a tax season as possible under the
circumstances.
Updated information will be posted on IRS.gov.
