When Does CT Start Accepting Tax Returns?

The annual tax filing season is a significant period for individuals in Connecticut to fulfill their state income tax obligations. Understanding the precise timing of when the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) begins accepting tax returns is important for timely and efficient filing.

Connecticut Tax Acceptance Timeline

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) begins accepting individual income tax returns in late January. For the 2025 tax season, the DRS announced it was accepting returns starting January 29, 2025. This early start allows taxpayers to submit their filings well in advance of the April 15 deadline. Taxpayers should consult the Connecticut DRS website for the most current information.

Federal Filing Connection

Connecticut’s tax acceptance timeline is related to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal tax filing schedule. The IRS opens its e-file system for individual income tax returns in late January. For the 2025 tax season, the IRS began accepting returns on January 27, 2025. Many state tax agencies, including Connecticut’s DRS, rely on federal return information for processing state tax filings, aligning their timelines.

The synchronization between federal and state systems helps ensure a smoother process for taxpayers. When the federal system opens, it allows tax preparation software and electronic filing platforms to transmit both federal and state returns. The Connecticut DRS often coordinates its opening to coincide with or immediately follow the IRS, facilitating integrated filing for many individuals. This interconnectedness means that an early federal start often translates to an early state start.

Submitting Before the Start Date

Taxpayers attempting to submit their Connecticut state tax returns before the official acceptance date may encounter various outcomes. While tax preparation software might allow completion of the return, the electronic transmission to the DRS will not be processed immediately. Such returns are typically held by the software provider or the electronic filing system until the official opening date.

If a return is sent directly to the DRS before the official start, it might be rejected or held in a queue without immediate processing. This can lead to delays in receiving refunds, as the acceptance date directly influences a return’s position in the processing queue. To ensure proper and timely processing, taxpayers should wait for the Connecticut DRS to officially announce it is accepting returns. Filing after the announced start date helps prevent potential rejections or prolonged holding periods for the submitted return.