Tax Return Filing Season for Individuals Begins January 24

January 10, 2022 | Kristine A. Tidgren

IRS announced January 10 that it will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns for individuals beginning January 24, 2022. IRS began accepting e-filed business returns on January 7, 2022.

IRS states in its announcement:

Having an accurate tax return can avoid processing delays, refund delays and later IRS notices. This is especially important for people who received advance Child Tax Credit payments or Economic Impact Payments (American Rescue Plan stimulus payments) in 2021; they will need the amounts of these payments when preparing their tax return. The IRS is mailing special letters to recipients, and they can also check amounts received on IRS.gov.

The announcement also reminds taxpayers that the filing and payment deadline for 2021 individual returns is April 18, 2022 for most.  Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots’ Day holiday in those states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, to file. Fourth quarter estimates are due January 18, 2022.

Finally, the announcement states that taxpayers can file their 2021 return, even if they are still waiting for IRS to process their 2020 return. It also reminds individuals that the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February.

Form more information about how COVID-19 relief provisions will impact 2021 returns, read this post.