When Are Taxes Start in 2024? Filing Deadlines and Key Dates

Tax season is a crucial period for individuals and businesses to report income, claim deductions, and comply with IRS regulations. Missing deadlines can lead to penalties, while filing early may speed up refunds. Understanding key dates helps taxpayers avoid last-minute stress and potential issues with the IRS.

For those preparing to file in 2024, knowing when tax season begins, standard due dates, and possible extensions is essential.

Earliest Submission Period

The IRS announced that the 2024 tax filing season would begin on January 29, the first day it would accept returns. Taxpayers could file electronically or by mail starting that day. Filing early is especially beneficial for those expecting a refund, as the IRS processes returns in the order received.

Electronic filing is the fastest method, and the IRS encourages taxpayers to use e-file and direct deposit. The IRS Free File program, available to individuals earning $79,000 or less in 2023, opened on January 12, allowing eligible taxpayers to prepare returns before the official submission date. Many tax software providers also accepted returns early, holding them until the IRS system opened.

Filing early also helps prevent tax-related identity theft. Fraudsters often submit fake returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. By filing early, taxpayers reduce the risk of someone else fraudulently filing in their name. The IRS offers the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program, which assigns a unique six-digit code to eligible taxpayers to prevent unauthorized filings.

Standard Filing Deadlines

For most taxpayers, the deadline to submit a federal income tax return in 2024 is April 15. Since April 15 falls on a Monday, no adjustments were made.

Residents of Maine and Massachusetts have until April 17 due to the observance of Patriots’ Day on April 15 and Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C., on April 16.

Businesses have different deadlines. Partnerships and S corporations operating on a calendar year must file Form 1120-S or Form 1065 by March 15. This ensures pass-through entities provide Schedule K-1 forms to shareholders or partners before individual tax filings. C corporations follow the April 15 deadline when submitting Form 1120.

Taxpayers who owe money must make payments by the filing deadline to avoid penalties and interest. The failure-to-file penalty is 5% of unpaid taxes per month, up to 25%, while the failure-to-pay penalty accrues at 0.5% per month. Interest is also charged on outstanding balances, based on the federal short-term rate plus 3%. Payments can be made electronically via IRS Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or by check or money order.

Extended Filing Timelines

Taxpayers needing extra time to file can request an automatic six-month extension, moving the deadline to October 15, 2024. To obtain this extension, individuals must submit Form 4868 by April 15. However, an extension applies only to filing, not payments—any taxes owed must still be paid by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.

U.S. citizens and resident aliens living abroad receive an automatic two-month extension, making their new due date June 17, 2024. No separate request is needed, but they must attach a statement to their return explaining their foreign residency. If additional time is required beyond June, they can file Form 2350 to request an extension until October 15, though approval is not guaranteed.

The IRS also grants extended deadlines to taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. These extensions vary based on the severity of the event and are announced on the IRS website.

Refund Processing Timeframe

Processing times depend on submission method, claim complexity, and verification requirements. Most electronically filed returns with direct deposit are processed within 21 days, while paper returns take longer—often six weeks or more. Taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) may experience delays due to the PATH Act, which prevents refunds including these credits from being issued before mid-February.

Direct deposit is the fastest refund method, with funds typically reaching bank accounts within days of approval. Paper checks take longer due to mailing time, and refunds loaded onto prepaid debit cards or financial apps may face additional processing delays. Taxpayers can track their refund status using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool, which updates daily and shows three stages: return received, refund approved, and refund sent.

Potential Delays or Adjustments

Errors, missing information, or additional verification steps can delay processing. Mistakes such as incorrect Social Security numbers, misreported income, or mismatched employer-reported wages may require extended review. The IRS may request additional documentation, further slowing the process.

Legislative changes and IRS backlogs also impact processing times. Recent tax law updates, including stimulus payments and expanded credits, have required additional IRS scrutiny, leading to delays for some filers. The IRS continues to address staffing shortages and system upgrades, which affect response times for mailed returns and amended filings. Taxpayers receiving IRS notices about discrepancies should respond promptly to avoid further delays.