The Internal Revenue Service said Monday that the nation's tax season will start on Jan. 24, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns.
However, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig warned that "the pandemic continues to create challenges" for the tax filing season and urged taxpayers to tax steps to mitigate processing and refund delays.
"Planning for the nation's filing season process is a massive undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several months to prepare," Rettig said in a statement. "Filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year."
Rettig urged "extra attention to those who received an Economic Impact Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit last year. People should make sure they report the correct amount on their tax return to avoid delays."
The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to file and pay tax owed is April 18, instead of April 15, for most taxpayers.
"The due date is April 18, instead of April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts," the IRS explained.
Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19 to file their returns due to the Patriots' Day holiday in those states.
Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file.
Rettig noted that IRS employees continue to work hard on "critical areas affected by the pandemic," including processing of tax returns from last year and record levels of phone calls.
