IRS Tax News

  • 11 Mar 2025 7:22 AM | Anonymous

    IR-2025-30, March 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service encouraged taxpayers who have yet to prepare and file their tax returns to consider taking advantage of the many free options available – including Direct File, a free, fast and easy way to file directly with the IRS, now available in 25 states.

    In addition to Direct File, IRS Free File also offers free tax preparation software through its partners on IRS.gov. Also, the IRS offers free, in-person, help through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

    Direct File

    IRS Direct File, the latest filing option for taxpayers, is a web-based service that allows taxpayers to file directly with the IRS for free. It works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. The system leads taxpayers step-by-step through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return. Once taxpayers have completed their federal tax return, the Direct File system automatically guides them to complete their state tax filings if they have a state tax obligation.

    Direct File began as a pilot program last year and, after receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from taxpayers, is now available in 25 states.

    Direct File features a data import tool that allows taxpayers to automatically import data from their IRS account, including personal information, the taxpayer’s Identity Protection PIN and some information from the taxpayer’s W-2. Live chat is available, and users can opt into additional authentication and verification, which allows customer service representatives to provide more information. In addition, there is a chat bot to help guide users through the eligibility checker.

    Taxpayers can use Direct File if they have certain types of income, outlined in more detail in the Direct File fact sheet. Starting this month, taxpayers reporting retirement income, contributions or rollovers can also use Direct File.

    Last year Direct File supported taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for Other Dependents.

    This year, Direct File will also cover taxpayers claiming the:

    • Child and Dependent Care Credit
    • Premium Tax Credit
    • Credit for the Elderly and Disabled
    • Retirement Savings Contribution Credits
    • Health Savings Accounts deductions

    The Treasury Department estimates that more than 30 million taxpayers are now eligible to use Direct File across the following 25 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

    IRS Free File

    Most taxpayers can file electronically for free by using IRS Free File, available only on IRS.gov.

    Currently in its 23rd year, IRS Free File offers free tax preparation software from eight companies in the public-private partnership with the IRS. As part of this partnership, tax preparation and filing software partners offer their online products to eligible taxpayers for free.

    This year IRS Free File guided tax software products are available to taxpayers with a 2024 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $84,000 or less. IRS Free File also provides fillable forms for use by any taxpayer, regardless of income, who is comfortable preparing their own return. To access these free tools, taxpayers must start from the IRS Free File page on IRS.gov.

    Other free options to file tax returns

    In addition to Direct File and IRS Free File, the IRS reminds taxpayers that there are other free programs available to help:

    • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly. Taxpayers can find organizations in their community with IRS certified volunteers that provide free tax help for eligible taxpayers including working families, the elderly, the disabled and people who speak limited English.
    • MilTax. A Department of Defense program, MilTax generally offers free return preparation and electronic filing software for federal income tax returns and up to three state income tax returns for all military members, and some veterans, with no income limit.

    Beware of scams

    Criminals often impersonate IRS employees and sound very convincing when calling taxpayers in aggressive and sophisticated ways. Taxpayers should stay vigilant and be alert to scams when dealing with taxes.

    The IRS usually contacts taxpayers with a letter in the mail explaining what they owe and how to question or appeal what they owe. The IRS will not call, text or contact anyone via social media, specifically, to demand immediate tax payment.

    If taxpayers are unsure whether they owe money to the IRS, they can view their tax information using their Online Account on IRS.gov.


  • 07 Mar 2025 3:17 PM | Anonymous

    Inside This Issue

    1. Second quarter interest rates unchanged
    2. Technical Guidance

    1.  Second quarter interest rates unchanged

    The IRS announced no change in interest rates beginning April 1. The interest rates are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during January 2024. See Revenue Ruling 2025-07 for details.

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    2.  Technical Guidance

    Notice 2025-16 provides for adjustments to the limitation on housing expenses for purposes of section 911 of the Internal Revenue Code for the 2025 tax year. These adjustments are made on the basis of geographic differences in housing costs relative to housing costs in the United States.

    Revenue Procedure 2025-17 adds Ukraine, Iraq, Haiti, and Bangladesh to the list of waiver countries for tax year 2024 for which the minimum time requirements are waived. Generally, U.S. citizens or resident aliens living and working abroad are taxed on their worldwide income.


  • 07 Mar 2025 8:09 AM | Anonymous

    Revenue Ruling 2025-07 provides the second quarter interest rates for 2025, including the rates for underpayments and overpayments. The rates for interest determined under Section 6621 of the code for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2025, will be 7 percent for overpayments (6 percent in the case of a corporation), 7 percent for underpayments, and 9 percent for large corporate underpayments. The rate of interest paid on the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 will be 4.5 percent.


  • 07 Mar 2025 8:08 AM | Anonymous

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2025.

    For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 7% per year, compounded daily.  Here is a complete list of the new rates: 

    ·         7% for overpayments (payments made in excess of the amount owed), 6% for corporations.

    ·         4.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000.

    ·         7% for underpayments (taxes owed but not fully paid).

    ·         9% for large corporate underpayments.

    Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on a quarterly basis.  For taxpayers other than corporations, the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus three percentage points.

    Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus three percentage points and the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus two percentage points.  The rate for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus five percentage points.  The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.

    The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during January 2025.  See the revenue ruling for details.

    Revenue Ruling 2025-7 announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2025-13, dated March 24, 2025.


  • 05 Mar 2025 2:59 PM | Anonymous

    Revenue Procedure 2025-17 adds Ukraine, Iraq, Haiti, and Bangladesh to the list of waiver countries for tax year 2024 for which the minimum time requirements are waived. Generally, U.S. citizens or resident aliens living and working abroad are taxed on their worldwide income. However, if their tax home is in a foreign country and they meet either the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test, they can choose to exclude from their income a limited amount of their foreign earned income (up to $126,500 for 2024). Both the bona fide residence test and the physical presence test contain minimum time requirements. Rev. Proc. 2025-17 provides a waiver under section 911(d)(4) for the time requirements for individuals electing to exclude their foreign earned income who must leave a foreign country because of war, civil unrest, or similar adverse conditions in that country.


    WILL BE IN IRB: 2025-13 DATED: March 24, 2025


  • 05 Mar 2025 2:58 PM | Anonymous

    Notice 2025-16 provides for adjustments to the limitation on housing expenses for purposes of section 911 of the Internal Revenue Code for the 2025 tax year. These adjustments are made on the basis of geographic differences in housing costs relative to housing costs in the United States. If the limitation on housing expenses is higher for the 2025 tax year than the adjusted limitations on housing expenses provided in Notice 2024-31, qualified taxpayers may apply the adjusted limitations in this notice for the 2025 tax year to their 2024 tax year.


    WILL BE IN IRB: 2025-13 DATED: March 24, 2025


  • 03 Mar 2025 10:21 AM | Anonymous

    Inside This Issue

    1. O’Donnell retires after notable career; Krause to serve as acting IRS Commissioner
    2. March 3 is deadline for many farmers and fishers; disaster areas have additional time
    3. IRS Individual Online Account tool adds tax documents, improves services and convenience for taxpayers
    4. Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025: IRS warns filers to watch out for dangerous threats
    5. Tax Time Guide: Track refund status using the Where’s My Refund? tool

    1.  O’Donnell retires after notable career; Krause to serve as acting IRS Commissioner

    The Department of Treasury announced that IRS Chief Operating Officer Melanie Krause will become acting IRS Commissioner following the retirement announcement of Doug O’Donnell. O’Donnell, the IRS deputy Commissioner who has been acting as the agency’s Commissioner since January, will retire on Friday, Feb. 28. Krause will become the nation’s acting Commissioner and assume the position of deputy Commissioner.

    “The IRS has been my professional home for 38 years,” O’Donnell added. “I care deeply about the institution and its people, and am confident that Melanie will be an outstanding steward of the Service until a new Commissioner is confirmed.”

    Krause began her IRS career in October 2021 as the Chief Data & Analytics Officer. Krause spent 12 years in the federal oversight community, including the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General prior to joining the IRS.

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    2.  March 3 is deadline for many farmers and fishers; disaster areas have additional time

    Tax pros: Your farmer and fisher clients who chose to forego making estimated tax payments by Jan. 15 must file their 2024 federal income tax return and pay all taxes due by March 3. Because the customary March 1 deadline falls on Saturday this year, the deadline is extended by two days. The deadline allows farmers and fishers to avoid any estimated tax penalties. Those who made a qualifying payment by Jan. 15, 2025, can wait until April 15 to file and still avoid estimated tax penalties. For details, see Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.

    Disaster-area taxpayers, including farmers and fishers, have more time to file and pay. Taxpayers in the entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and parts of Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia have until May 1.

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    3.  IRS Individual Online Account tool adds tax documents, improves services and convenience for taxpayers

    The IRS is simplifying the tax filing process for taxpayers by integrating information return documents into their IRS Individual Online Account. This will centralize tax records in a single digital location. The first information returns to be added are Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement and Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. These forms will be accessible for tax years 2023 and 2024 under the Records and Status tab in the taxpayer’s Online Account. 

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    4.  Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025: IRS warns filers to watch out for dangerous threats

    The IRS kicked off the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams with a warning for taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to be aware of evolving schemes designed to steal sensitive taxpayer information. The IRS's annual Dirty Dozen campaign lists 12 scams and schemes that threaten taxpayers. While the Dirty Dozen is not a legal document or a formal listing of agency enforcement priorities, the education campaign aims to raise awareness and safeguard taxpayers and tax pros from common tax scams and schemes.

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    5.  Tax Time Guide: Track refund status using the Where’s My Refund? tool

    Tax pros: Encourage your clients to use the Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov to verify receipt and monitor refund status of their 2024 tax returns. The Where’s My Refund? tool allows taxpayers who file electronically to check status within 24 hours of filing. The tool is accessible around-the-clock and provides taxpayers with a quick and simple method of obtaining information without having to contact the IRS. Additionally, taxpayers can use the tool to view data regarding returns from 2022 through 2024. Through the IRS2Go mobile app users can access the mobile-friendly tool, find free tax help and make payments.


  • 27 Feb 2025 12:37 PM | Anonymous

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2025 with a warning for taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to watch out for common schemes that threaten their tax and financial information. 

    Ranging from email schemes to misleading tax credits, many of the Dirty Dozen items peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns. In reality, these scams can occur throughout the year as fraudsters look for ways to steal money, personal information and data. 

    The IRS' annual Dirty Dozen campaign lists 12 scams and schemes that threaten taxpayers. While the Dirty Dozen is not a legal document or a formal listing of agency enforcement priorities, the education effort is designed to raise awareness and protect taxpayers and tax pros from common tax scams and schemes. 

    “Scammers are relentless, and they use the guise of tax season to try tricking taxpayers into falling into a variety of traps. These red flags can lead to everything from identity theft to being misled into claiming tax credits for which they’re not entitled,” said Terry Lemons, IRS communications senior adviser. “For more than two decades, the IRS has highlighted the Dirty Dozen through far-reaching communications and education campaigns as part of a wider effort by the agency to protect taxpayers from being scammed.” 

    Under Lemons’ leadership, the IRS created the Dirty Dozen campaign in 2002 to counter emerging scams being seen across the country. Combined with related efforts by the Security Summit, the IRS has worked for a decade with state tax agencies and the nation’s tax software and financial industry as well as tax professionals to educate taxpayers about scams and fraudulent schemes. 

    The Dirty Dozen list often has cautioned taxpayers about tax-related identity theft, in support of the Security Summit’s ongoing efforts in this area, that have led to protecting millions of taxpayers and billions of dollars from refund fraud. 

    Last year, the tax community launched a related effort called the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST) following a surge in social media-fueled scams. 

    As part of these continuing efforts to protect taxpayers against constantly evolving scams, the 2025 IRS Dirty Dozen list highlights the following 12 pervasive threats: 

    Email phishing scams: The IRS continues to see a barrage of email and text scams targeting taxpayers and others. Taxpayers and tax professionals should be alert to fake communications from entities posing as legitimate organizations in the tax and financial community, including the IRS, state tax agencies and tax software companies. These messages arrive in the form of unsolicited texts or emails to lure unsuspecting victims into providing valuable personal and financial information that can lead to identity theft. There are two main types: 

    • Phishing: An email sent by fraudsters claiming to come from the IRS. The email lures the victims into the scam with a variety of ruses such as enticing victims with a phony tax refund or threatening them with false legal or criminal charges for tax fraud. 
    • Smishing: A text or smartphone SMS message where scammers often use alarming language such as, "Your account has now been put on hold," or "Unusual Activity Report," with a bogus "Solutions" link to restore the recipient's account. The promise of unexpected tax refunds is another potential tactic used by scam artists. 

    As a reminder, never click on any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS as it may surreptitiously load malware. This may also be a way for malicious hackers to load ransomware that keeps the legitimate user from accessing their system and files. 

    The IRS has special information available to help people understand and report email scams. 

    Bad social media advice: Another growing concern in 2025 continues to involve incorrect tax information on social media that can mislead honest taxpayers with bad advice, potentially leading to identity theft and tax problems. Social media platforms routinely circulate inaccurate or misleading tax information, including on TikTok where people share wildly inaccurate tax advice. Some involve urging people to misuse common tax documents like Form W-2. 

    The IRS and CASST warn people not to fall for these scams, and urge them to follow trusted social media advice from the IRS, tax professionals and other reputable sources. The IRS reminds taxpayers who knowingly file fraudulent tax returns that they could potentially face significant civil and criminal penalties. 

    IRS Individual Online Account help from scammers: Swindlers can pose as a "helpful" third party and offer to help create a taxpayer's IRS Individual Online Account at IRS.gov. In reality, no help is needed, and the agency offers tips on how to sign up and avoid scams. The IRS Individual Online Account provides taxpayers with valuable personal tax information. But watch out: Third parties making these offers will try to steal a taxpayer's personal information and try to submit fraudulent tax returns in the victim's name to get a big refund. 

    Fake charities: Bogus charities are a perennial problem that can intensify whenever a crisis or natural disaster strikes. Scammers set up these fake organizations to take advantage of the public's generosity. They seek money and personal information, which can be used to further exploit victims through identity theft. 

    Taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity might be able to claim a deduction on their federal tax return if they itemize deductions, but charitable donations only count if they go to a qualified tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS. 

    False Fuel Tax Credit claims: A major concern during the past year involved taxpayers who were misled into believing they were eligible for the Fuel Tax Credit. The credit is meant for off-highway business and farming use and is not available to most taxpayers. However, unscrupulous tax return preparers and promoters, including people on social media, continue enticing taxpayers into inflating their refunds by erroneously claiming the credit. The IRS has seen an increase in the promotion of filing certain refundable credits using Form 4136, Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels. The IRS urges people to get more information and ensure they are properly claiming this credit. 

    Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave: This specialized credit is available for self-employed individuals for 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic; the credit is not available for later tax years. The IRS is seeing repeated instances where taxpayers are using Form 7202, Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals, to incorrectly claim a credit based on income earned as an employee and not as a self-employed individual. 

    Bogus self-employment tax credit: Social media advice continues to circulate about a non-existent “Self-Employment Tax Credit” that’s misleading taxpayers into filing false claims. Promoters market it as a way for self-employed people and gig workers to get big payments for the COVID-19 pandemic period. Similar to misleading marketing around the Employee Retention Credit, there is inaccurate information being circulated that suggests many people qualify for the tax credit and payments of up to $32,000 when they actually do not. 

    In reality, the underlying credit being referred to in social media is not called the “Self-Employment Tax Credit,” it’s a much more limited and technical credit called the Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave. Many people simply do not qualify for these credits, and the IRS is closely reviewing claims coming in under this provision, so taxpayers filing claims do so at their own risk. 

    Improper household employment taxes: Taxpayers “invent” fictional household employees and then file Schedule H (Form 1040), Household Employment Taxes, to claim a refund based on false sick and family medical leave wages they never paid. 

    The overstated withholding scam: This is a recent scheme circulating on social media encouraging people to fill out Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or other forms like Form 1099-NEC and other 1099s with false income and withholding information. 

    In this overstated withholding scheme, scam artists suggest people make up large income and withholding amounts as well as the fictional employer supplying those amounts. Scam artists then instruct people to file the bogus tax return electronically in hopes of getting a substantial refund due to the large amount of fraudulent withholding. 

    If the IRS cannot verify the wages, income or withholding credits entered on the tax return, the tax refund will be held pending further review. Taxpayers should always file a complete and accurate tax return. They should only use legitimate information returns, such as an employer issued Form W-2, to complete returns correctly. 

    There are multiple variations of the overstated withholding credit scheme, including those involving Forms W-2 and W-2G; Forms 1099-R, 1099-NEC, 1099-DIV, 1099-OID and 1099-B; as well as the Alaskan Dividend Fund, Schedule K-1 with Withholding Reported, and Unspecified Source of Withholding Credit Claimed. 

    Misleading Offers in Compromise: The Offers in Compromise (OIC) program is an important program that helps people settle their federal tax debts when they are unable to pay in full. But "mills" can aggressively promote Offers in Compromise in misleading ways to people who clearly don't meet the qualifications, frequently costing taxpayers thousands of dollars. A taxpayer can check their eligibility for free using the IRS Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool. 

    Ghost tax return preparers: Most tax preparers provide outstanding and professional service. However, people should be careful of shady tax professionals and watch for common warning signs, including charging a fee based on the size of the refund. A major red flag or bad sign is when the tax preparer is unwilling to sign the return. Avoid these "ghost" preparers, who will prepare a tax return but refuse to sign or include their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) as required by law. Taxpayers should never sign a blank or incomplete return. Instead, the IRS reminds taxpayers to turn to a trusted tax professional for help. 

    New client scams and spear phishing: In 2025, the IRS continues to see the "new client" scam, which involves spear phishing attempts that target tax pros. Cybercriminals impersonate new, potential clients to trick tax professionals and other businesses into responding to their emails. Once the tax pro responds, the scammer sends a malicious attachment or URL that can compromise the preparer's computer systems and allow the attacker to access sensitive client information. 

    Phishing is a term given to emails or text messages designed to get users to provide personal information, and spear phishing is a phishing attempt tailored to a specific organization or business. Tax professionals frequently find themselves a target of this type of scam. Spear phishing holds greater potential for harm because a successful spear phishing attack can ultimately steal client data and the tax pro’s identity, allowing the thief to file fraudulent returns using the stolen information. 

    Businesses and individuals, including tax pros, should always be cautious and look out for any suspicious requests or unusual behavior before sharing any sensitive information or responding to an email. Warning signs include poorly constructed sentences and unusual word choices. Be aware that by gaining access to a hacked email account, scammers can locate a genuine email from a previous victim's email account sent to their tax professional. 

    Baker’s Dozen: Watch out for other abusive schemes 

    The IRS also reminds taxpayers that beyond the Dirty Dozen, there are a wide array of other abusive schemes and bogus tax avoidance strategies that can mislead well-intentioned taxpayers. These can involve different types of trusts, offshore schemes and even individual retirement arrangements. More information on past schemes is available on the special Dirty Dozen section on IRS.gov. 

    While the Dirty Dozen list is not a legal document or a formal listing of agency enforcement priorities, it is intended to alert taxpayers and the tax professional community about various scams and schemes. 

    Report abusive tax schemes and tax return preparers 

    In support of the Dirty Dozen awareness effort, the IRS also encourages people to report individuals who promote improper and abusive tax schemes as well as tax return preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns. 

    To report an abusive tax scheme or a tax return preparer, people should use the online Form 14242 – Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers, or mail or fax a completed Form 14242 and any supporting material to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations. 

    Mail: 

    Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center

    Stop MS5040 24000 Avila Road

    Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-3405

    Fax: 877-477-9135

    Taxpayers and tax practitioners may also send the information to the IRS Whistleblower Office for a possible monetary award.


  • 27 Feb 2025 12:35 PM | Anonymous

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded farmers and fishers who chose to forgo making estimated tax payments by January that they must generally file their 2024 federal income tax return and pay all taxes due by March 3, 2025. Because it’s on Saturday this year, the usual March 1 deadline is pushed back two days to Monday, March 3.   

    The special March 3 deadline allows farmers and fishers to avoid any estimated tax penalties. Though several tax-payment options are available, the IRS urges farmers and fishers to consider the quick, easy and free option of paying taxes electronically from their bank account using either their IRS Online Account or IRS Direct Pay. IRS Online Account and IRS Direct Pay are available only on IRS.gov. 

    The special March 3, 2025, deadline applies to anyone who qualifies as a farmer or fisher and did not make a 2024 estimated tax payment by Jan. 15, 2025. Those who made a qualifying payment by that date can wait until the regular April 15, 2025, deadline to file and pay and still avoid estimated tax penalties. See Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, for details. 

    For this purpose, a farmer or fisher is anyone who received at least two-thirds of their gross income from farming or fishing during either 2023 or 2024. 

    Special rules for disaster areas 

    Disaster-area taxpayers, including farmers and fishers, have more time to file and pay. This extension is automatic; taxpayers don’t need to file any paperwork or call the IRS to get it. 

    Currently, taxpayers in the entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and parts of Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia have until May 1, 2025, to file and pay. 

    Like other taxpayers, these disaster-area taxpayers who need more time to file, beyond May 1, can get it by requesting an extension to Oct. 15, 2025. But because this extension request only gives them more time to file, any tax payments are still due by May 1. 

    Electronically-filed extension requests must be made by April 15. Between April 15 and May 1, the request can only be filed on paper. To learn how, visit IRS.gov/extensions

    In addition, California wildfire victims have until Oct. 15, 2025, to file and pay. Likewise, taxpayers throughout Kentucky have until Nov. 3, 2025, to file and pay. No extension beyond these dates is available. 

    Paying online is safe, fast and easy 

    IRS Online Account allows individual taxpayers to make same-day payments from a checking or savings account. Taxpayers can also see their payment history, balance and payment plan information, and digital copies of many notices sent from the IRS. 

    Alternatively, taxpayers can use IRS Direct Pay to make or schedule a payment from their bank account with no registration or login required. Those who need to pay business taxes through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) can also choose to use this system to make their individual income tax payments. 

    For more information about these and other payment options, visit IRS.gov/payments

    Forms and publications to use 

    Farmers

    Fishers

    Related items


  • 26 Feb 2025 2:19 PM | Anonymous

    WASHINGTON — As millions of people file their 2024 tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to use the “Where’s My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov to confirm receipt of their return and track a refund. 

    Taxpayers who file electronically can typically use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the status of a tax refund within 24 hours of filing. It takes about four weeks for the same information to be available for those filing paper returns. 

    The tool is available 24/7, and is a fast, easy way for taxpayers to get information about a refund without needing to call the IRS. The tool also allows taxpayers to access information about returns from tax years 2024, 2023 and 2022. 

    The online tool is mobile-friendly and can be accessed through the IRS2Go mobile app, where users also can find free tax help and make payments. 

    Information needed to use ‘Where’s My Refund?’ 

    The IRS updates the “Where’s My Refund?” tool once daily – usually overnight – so there’s no need to check refund status multiple times a day. To check refund status, taxpayers will need: 

    • Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
    • Filing status
    • Exact refund amount 

    Refund delivery 

    Most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit as the delivery method. Taxpayers who do this typically get their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who don't have a bank account can find out how to open one at a FDIC-insured bank or the National Credit Union Locator Tool

    Several factors may affect the timing of a refund delivery, including: 

    The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return. IRS representatives reached by phone or by walking into a Taxpayer Assistance Center can only research the status of a refund if: 

    • 21 days or more have passed since the return was e-filed
    • Six weeks or more have passed since the return was mailed
    • “Where’s My Refund?” tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS 

    Changes made by the IRS may sometimes affect the amount of an expected refund. These changes include corrections to the Child Tax Credit or EITC amounts, or an offset to pay past-due tax or debts. More information about reduced refunds is available at IRS.gov. 

    Filing season reminders 

    The deadline for most taxpayers to file a return, pay taxes due or request an extension is April 15. 

    Taxpayers with questions should make IRS.gov their first stop. It’s available 24/7 and contains information on a variety of topics, including: 

    For information on amended returns, use the “Where’s My Amended Return? tool. 

    This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource designed to help taxpayers file an accurate return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals). 

    More resources 


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