IRS: Tax season to start on time in 2015

Internal Revenue Service information

WASHINGTON — Following the passage of the extenders legislation, the Internal Revenue Service announced that it anticipates opening the 2015 filing season as scheduled in January.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns electronically on January 20. Paper tax returns will begin processing at the same time.

The decision follows Congress renewing a number of “extender” provisions of the tax law that expired at the end of 2013. Congress renewed these provisions through the end of 2014. The final legislation was signed into law December 19.

“We have reviewed the late tax law changes and determined there was nothing preventing us from continuing our updating and testing of our systems,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Our employees will continue an aggressive schedule of testing and preparation of our systems during the next month to complete the final stages needed for the 2015 tax season.”

The IRS reminds taxpayers that filing electronically is the most accurate way to file a tax return and the fastest way to get a refund. There is no advantage to people filing tax returns on paper in early January instead of waiting for e-file to begin.

More information about IRS Free File and other information about the 2015 filing season will be available in January.