Getting set to start the new tax filing season
How soon can I file my income tax return?
As soon as you receive the information you need to file (W-2, Unemployment 1099G, bank interest etc.) you may fill out both the federal and state income tax forms and mail them in.
However if you want to e-file the first date your return will be accepted is January 17th.
If accepted between January 17th and January 20th (before 11 AM) by the IRS (and here I must assume you are receiving a refund, why else would you file early) the projected send date for a federal direct deposit is January 25th OR a US Treasury check projected mailed date will be January 27th.New York State has not provided a refund cycle chart and neither the IRS nor the State will guarantee the specific date a refund will be deposited or mailed.
New York State has also instituted a new practice of reviewing some returns with refundable credits (Earned Income Credit, etc) before sending the taxpayer their refund.
In the past New York has followed the IRS’s acceptance of a credit as proof that it was due, now in some cases they will be asking for their own proof that the credit is due before the refund is mailed.
Where do I get the forms & instructions?
Most U. S. Post Offices will have some of the frequently used federal forms otherwise:
• Federal forms & instructions are available on the internet at www.irs.gov, your local IRS office or you can order up to 10 different forms and instructions to be mailed to your address by calling 1-800-829-3676. The IRS will send 2 copies of each form and instructions to you.
• New York State forms are only available on the internet at http://tax.ny.gov/forms/income_cur_forms.htm or by calling (518) 457-5431.
In either case it usually takes 10-15 days after they are available for your forms to arrive.
Questions for Deborah Ritz can be e-mailed to The Weekly Adirondack at WeeklyADK@yahoo.com
