Tax season begins and the IRS expects to receive more than 146 million returns

Tax season begins in the United States.

The IRS expects to receive more than 146 million returns.

Get your finances in order!

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has kicked off tax season and is accepting 2023 tax returns.

In addition, they will be offering various tools to help taxpayers who have problems.

The IRS has also announced expanded service hours at Taxpayer Assistance Centers.

Likewise, they have made some improvements to their services and detailed what aspects will be changing.

Tax season begins in the United States

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Tax season officially began on Monday, January 29 when the IRS began accepting and processing 2023 tax returns.

The agency has provided several tools to help taxpayers, according to EFE.

The IRS expects to receive more than 146 million individual tax returns for 2023.

The deadline for filing is April 15, 2024 except in the states of Maine and Massachusetts, where it is extended until April 17 due to state holidays.

What new services is the IRS offering?

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In order to help more taxpayers, the IRS has expanded service hours at nearly 250 Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC) across the country.

The agency has also said that it continues to improve its telephone service, according to EFE.

And it has improved online tools such as ‘Where’s My Refund?,’ which allows taxpayers to check the status of their tax refund.

The IRS also urges taxpayers and tax preparers to file their returns electronically.

What does the IRS hope for as tax season begins?

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IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement that the agency has been working for months to make tax season “as easy and smooth as possible.”

«We’ve taken important steps to add more improvements to help taxpayers, ranging from expanded in-person hours, better online options and improved phone service,» he added.

A taxpayer status report recently filed by TurboTax, which processed 45 million U.S. tax returns last year, found that refunds were lower in 2023.

This is due to the end of relief due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hitting lower-income tax filers harder.

Will this be a complicated year?

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Likewise, TurboTax pointed out other changes such as the fact that more people are opting for part-time jobs or freelance work.

In 2023 there was an increase among taxpayers who filed their own returns and who have dependents.

The IRS urges taxpayers and tax preparers to opt for electronic filing of their returns.

This recommendation aligns with the agency’s ongoing efforts to modernize and simplify the tax process.

New support for filers

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The Internal Revenue Service has announced that people will have access to more support this year.

“As part of expanded taxpayer service efforts, nearly 250 IRS TACs around the country will extend their weekly office hours, the IRS shared in a press release.

Likewise, they highlighted that some of those locations will also offer limited Saturday hours.

«n addition to extended hours during the work week, the IRS will again offer special Saturday hours at many TACs across the country February through May.»