The Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting electronically filed individual tax returns today (Jan. 31, 2014) to officially open the 2014 filing season. The IRS encourages taxpayers to use e-file as one of the fastest way to receive refunds.
The delay in the opening date for individuals was required to allow the IRS adequate time to program and test its tax processing systems. The annual process for updating IRS systems saw significant delays in October following the 16-day federal government shutdown.
“Our teams have been working hard throughout the fall to prepare for the upcoming tax season,” then IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel said on December 18, 2013. “The late January opening gives us enough time to get things right with our programming, testing and systems validation. It’s a complex process, and our bottom-line goal is to provide a smooth filing and refund process for the nation’s taxpayers.”
The April 15 tax deadline is set by statute and will remain in place. However, the IRS reminds taxpayers that anyone can request an automatic six-month extension to file their tax return.
This blog brought to you by TaxLane, LLC, providing tax preparation and consulting services to individuals and small businesses.
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