When to File Your 2021 Federal Tax Return

When to send my tax return to the IRS?

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(CNN) -

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said it would begin accepting 2021 federal tax returns on Monday, January 24.

This year, the deadline to file taxes is Monday, April 18.

That's the day you should have filed your 2021 individual return and paid any remaining federal income taxes due from last year.

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Normally, the deadline for filing taxes is April 15, but this year Emancipation Day will be celebrated in the city of Washington.

In two states, Massachusetts and Maine, the federal tax filing deadline will be April 19 due to the celebration of Patriots Day on April 18.

The deadline for filing the federal tax return will be extended for anyone who requests an automatic 6-month extension.

(Note: you will only be granted an extension to file your return. But you will not be granted an extension to pay what you owe).

Additionally, tax filing and payment deadlines will be extended for anyone living in counties declared federal disaster areas due to recent natural calamities.

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These include victims of tornadoes and storms in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as victims of wildfires in Colorado.

They will have until May 16, 2022 to file various individual and business tax returns and make their payments.

(This IRS page provides a complete list of who is granted tax extensions related to natural disasters.)

Those affected taxpayers will also have until May 16 to contribute to the 2021 Individual Retirement Account (IRA). All others must make their contributions to the 2021 IRA by April 18. .

Don't be surprised by delays

While every tax season is busy for the IRS, the pandemic-induced delays of the past two years, coupled with limited funding, will make the current tax season even more so.

Treasury officials said in a informational call that at the beginning of a normal tax season, the IRS could have 1 million back filings, but the number this year is "several times higher."

Last week, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig noted that delays in return processing and tax assistance arose as the agency was administering several congressionally approved Covid-19 relief efforts.

These included issuing three rounds of economic stimulus checks, creating a monthly system to send advance payments of the child tax credit, and making changes to the earned income tax credit (EITC). .

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"Despite the valiant efforts of our employees managing a large portfolio and new responsibilities, we are still working on the tax returns filed in 2021 and we are unable to respond to an unprecedented number of phone calls. Simply put, in many areas We cannot deliver the amount of service and compliance that our taxpayers and our tax system deserve and need, "Rettig said.

An example: Last year, the agency was unable to respond to more than two-thirds of the calls it received.

That's why taxpayers are encouraged to first use the online tools provided on IRS.gov to get their questions answered, before contacting the agency directly.

How to get your refund as quickly as possible

Most tax filers are normally owed a refund.

Treasury officials noted that the IRS will likely deliver your refund to you within 21 days of receipt, which is the typical turnaround time, but only if you complete your return accurately and completely, electronically file, and opt for receiving your refund via direct deposit.

For anyone expecting a refund due to the earned income tax credit or child tax credit, the IRS is prohibited by law from issuing it before mid-February to give the agency time to stop fraudulent refunds.

But affected taxpayers can still file their returns as of January 24.

Despite anticipated frustrations, Rettig noted that the agency continues to look for ways to improve.

"We want to do our best while protecting the health and safety of our employees and taxpayers."

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