The IRS announced that the nation’s tax season will start on Friday, February 12, 2021, when they will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns.

 

They typically begin accepting returns at the end of January, but the February 12 start date this year allows the IRS time to do additional programming and testing of IRS systems following the December 27 tax law changes that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefits. This programming work is critical to ensuring IRS systems run smoothly.

 

To speed refunds during the pandemic, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically with direct deposit as soon as they have the information they need.

 

Individuals can still begin filing their tax returns now, and the returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting February 12.

 

Under the PATH Act, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. The law provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds and claims from being issued, including to identity thieves.

 

The IRS anticipates a first week of March refund for many EITC and ACTC taxpayers if they file electronically with direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax returns. This would be the same experience for taxpayers if the filing season opened in late January. Taxpayers can utilize the Where’s My Refund Tool for their personalized refund date.

 

Overall, the IRS anticipates that the majority of taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of when they file electronically with direct deposit if there are no issues with their tax return. Filing via paper could cause additional delays.

 

Check out these helpful tips from the IRS for taxpayers to make filing easier.