The IRS began accepting and processing individual tax returns today

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today opened the 2015 tax season by highlighting a growing array of online services and encouraging taxpayers to check out a variety of tax benefits, such as the often-overlooked Earned Income Tax Credit. The IRS began accepting and processing individual tax returns today.

The IRS had announced the official start to 2014 Tax Filing season at the end of December 2014. They will begin accepting 2014 individual and business income tax returns today, January 20th, 2015. Many individuals had their 2014 tax returns accepted early by the IRS last week.

Taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 15, 2015 to file their 2014 tax returns and pay any tax due. The IRS expects to receive more than 148 million individual tax returns this year, and more than four out of five returns are now filed electronically.

About three out of four filers typically get refunds, and the IRS issues more than nine in ten of these refunds in less than 21 days. Last year, taxpayers received an average refund of $2,744. E-file, when combined with direct deposit, is the fastest way to get a refund. More than three out of four refund recipients now choose direct deposit.

“Tens of millions of people will file their taxes in the next few weeks, and we encourage taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as the best place to get quick help,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “We continue to add features and make it more user-friendly to help taxpayers. People can get everything from answers to tax questions about preparing their tax return to checking the status of their refund after they file.”

The IRS began accepting and processing individual tax returns today after updating tax forms and completing programming and testing of its systems. The IRS also has updated and strengthened its systems to help protect against refund fraud and identity theft. This annual updating process saw delays in October following the 16-day federal government closure.