It’s time to start thinking about filing your taxes. While likely not your favorite task, you can avoid a future tax-fueled headache by preparing in advance.
Here’s what to know about filing your 2024 tax return:
The Internal Revenue Service started accepting federal tax returns in late January. Federal income tax returns are due on Tuesday, April 15.
New York state income taxes are also due on April 15.
To file for an extension on your federal income tax, taxpayers can fill out Form 4868 by April 15 to. Filling out this form will give filers six more months to complete their tax return, to Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Tax returns can still be filed after April 15 without filing for an extension, but you may be subject to a penalty if you owe taxes.
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To file for an extension on your state income tax, fill out the appropriate form – Form IT-201 for New York residents’ personal tax returns. Completing the form will give filers another six months to complete their return. Note that if you file for an extension on your state income tax and owe, you must make your extension payment by the due date.
To file federal income taxes, fill out a Form 1040 online or mail a paper form.
If you file electronically and your return is accurate and complete, it should take less than three weeks to receive your refund – a move that is expedited when you choose direct deposit, according to the IRS.
If you mail in a paper return, the refund should be issued within six to eight weeks of the date the IRS receives the filing, again assuming the return is accurate and complete.
Any taxpayer or family who earned $84,000 or less in 2024 may use a free filing option for a tax return using the IRS website. In New York, taxpayers who earned $84,000 or less can file online for free.
The IRS has online tools to help with filing, and people can call 800-829-1040 for assistance. New York also offers a Taxpayer Assistance Program to help prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns.
Service members may be able to prepare and file their tax returns for free through MilTax if they meet certain criteria.
If you generally make $67,000 a year or less, have a disability, have limited English skills or speak English as a second language or are 60 years of age or older, you may be eligible for in-person, full-service tax preparation for free through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
You should have already received a W-2 form. It is mandatory that employers give their employees a W-2 form by Jan. 31. A W-2 form reports your total wages for the year and any taxes withheld from your paycheck.
The IRS expects to issue most refunds via direct deposit within 21 days, according to the agency, but some returns require additional review that take longer to process.
Some issues that cause your refund to be delayed according to the IRS include:
- If the taxpayer is claiming certain credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.
- Whether the return is e-filed or sent by mail.
- If the taxpayer has existing debts to the federal government.
To check the status of your refund, use the “Where’s My Refund?” tools for federal tax refunds or go to the IRS2Go app. Information is updated once a day, overnight.
To do so, you’ll need your:
- Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
- Filing status
- Exact refund amount
Also be mindful that the wait for your tax return is based on when the IRS has received your return and entered it into the system, which may be several days after you submitted the return electronically or several weeks after mailing a paper return and IRS workers manually entered your information.
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