INDIANA – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set January 27, 2025, as the official start date for the upcoming tax season, with expectations of processing over 140 million tax returns before the April 15 deadline.
In a significant expansion of its services, the IRS is broadening its Direct File program to 25 states, up from the 12 states that participated in last year’s pilot program. This free filing system allows eligible taxpayers to submit their returns directly to the government without using commercial tax preparation software. The 2024 pilot program, which served taxpayers with simple W-2s, helped Americans claim more than $90 million in refunds.
IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel highlighted the agency’s ongoing transformation efforts, supported by 2022 Inflation Reduction Act funding. “This has been a historic period of improvement for the IRS,” Werfel stated, emphasizing that continued investment is crucial to prevent technological stagnation.
The agency has outlined several service improvements for the upcoming season, including maintaining customer service wait times under 5 minutes, offering 10,000 extended office hours, and expanding its rural outreach program by 20%. Taxpayers can expect refunds within 21 days of filing electronically, with refund status available through the “Where’s My Refund?” tool within 24 hours of e-filing.
Werfel also emphasized the importance of claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, noting that approximately 20% of eligible taxpayers miss out on this benefit due to a lack of awareness or understanding of their eligibility.
The IRS continues to warn taxpayers about seasonal tax scams, encouraging them to visit IRS.gov for the latest information on fraudulent schemes. These scams often involve false promises of tax assistance or fraudulent penalty claims.
For paper filers, refund information typically becomes available after four weeks. The agency’s enhanced services and staffing levels are being maintained through multiyear supplemental funding from Congress, though officials warn that service improvements could be jeopardized if this funding is eliminated.
