When Does The IRS Start Accepting Tax Returns For 2024?

The Internal Revenue Service confirmed that the nation’s tax season will start for individual tax return filers on Monday, January 29, 2024, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax year returns.

The IRS says that it expects more than 128.7 million individual tax returns to be filed by the April 15, 2024, tax deadline.

When is the IRS accepting 2023 returns?

Monday, January 29, 2024

IRS E-File Start Date

IRS Free File will also be available on IRS.gov starting January 12 in advance of the filing season opening.

While taxpayers may prepare returns through the IRS’ Free File program as well as many tax software companies and tax professionals before the start date, processing of those returns will begin after IRS systems open later this month.

The IRS says that taxpayers will continue to see helpful changes at the IRS following ongoing transformation work. 

"As our transformation efforts take hold, taxpayers will continue to see marked improvement in IRS operations in the upcoming filing season," said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. 

"IRS employees are working hard to make sure that new funding is used to help taxpayers by making the process of preparing and filing taxes easier."

Some of the new and expanded tools and resources include:

Expanded in-person service that meets taxpayers where they are by opening or reopening Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs). The IRS will also offer extended hours at many TACs nationwide.

Increased help available on the toll-free line and an expanded customer call back feature designed to significantly reduce wait times.

Where's My Refund?

Improvements to the Where's My Refund? tool, which is the IRS' most widely used taxpayer service tool.

 

However, the tool provides limited information, often leading taxpayers to call the IRS to inquire about their refund status. Updates to Where's My Refund? will allow taxpayers to see more detailed refund status messages in plain language. 

These updates will also ensure Where's My Refund works seamlessly on mobile devices. Taxpayers often see a generic message stating that their returns are still being processed and to check back later. With the improvements, taxpayers will see clearer and more detailed updates, including whether the IRS needs them to respond to a letter requesting additional information. The new updates will reduce the need for taxpayers to call the IRS for answers to basic questions. 

Enhanced paperless processing that will enable taxpayers to submit all correspondence, non-tax forms, and