IRS Kicks Off 2012 Tax Season, Extends Deadline to April 17

The Internal Revenue Service opened the 2012 tax filing season by announcing that taxpayers have until April 17 to file their returns.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to e-file as it is the best way to ensure accurate tax returns and get faster refunds.

It also unveiled a number of improvements to help make this tax season easier for taxpayers. This includes new navigation features, helpful information on IRS.gov and a pilot to allow taxpayers to use interactive video to assist them with tax issues.

“At the IRS, we’re working hard to make the process of filing your taxes as quick and easy as possible,” said Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Providing quality service is one of our top priorities. It not only reduces the burden on taxpayers, but also helps in filing an accurate return right from the start.”

Taxpayers will have until April 17 to file their 2011 returns and pay any tax due because April 15 falls on a Sunday. Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, will be observed on April 16.

The IRS expects to receive more than 144 million individual tax returns this year, with most of those being filed by the April 17 deadline.

Everyone can use Free File to prepare a federal tax return. Taxpayers who make $57,000 or less can choose from approximately 20 commercial software providers. There’s no income limit for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, which also includes free e-filing.

The IRS said paid tax return preparers must have and include a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) on all returns they prepare. All PTINs must be renewed for 2012. Tax return preparers can obtain or renew PTINs online.

Assistance Options

The best way for taxpayers to get answers to their questions is by visiting the IRS website. The agency has updated the front page of the website to make it easier for taxpayers to get key forms, information and file tax returns.

The front page also provides links to taxpayer-friendly videos on the IRS YouTube channel. More improvements are planned for the site in the months ahead.   

Last year, the IRS unveiled IRS2Go, its first Smartphone application that allows taxpayers to check on the status of their tax refund and obtain helpful information. Apple users can download the free application by visiting the Apple App Store and Android users can visit the Android Marketplace to download the app.

Individuals making $50,000 or less can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for free tax preparation and, in many cases, free electronic filing. Individuals age 60 and older can take advantage of free tax counseling and basic income tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly. Information on these programs can be found on the IRS's site.

For tax law questions or account inquiries, taxpayers can also call a toll-free number (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or visit a taxpayer assistance center, the locations of which are listed onthe IRS's site.

Virtual Service

The IRS has begun a new pilot program in which taxpayers can get assistance through two-way video conferencing. The agency is conducting a limited roll out of this new video conferencing technology at 10 IRS offices and two other sites and may expand to further sites in the future. A list of locations is available here.

Check for a Refund

Once taxpayers file their federal return, they can track the status of their refunds by using the Where's My Refund? tool, which taxpayers can obtain by using the IRS2Go phone app or from the front page of the IRS's site.

By providing their Taxpayer Identification Numbers, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of their anticipated refund, taxpayers can find information about their refund 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of their e-filed returns or three to four weeks after mailing a paper return.