The IRS will soon begin the 2025 tax season and begin accepting tax returns for the 2024 tax year. The agency has various methods of filing tax returns to pay taxes that taxpayers owe to the agency and fulfill their tax obligations.
Taxpayers preparing to pay their taxes on time should understand how to file their taxes and choose the method that works best for them. If you fail to file your tax return by the tax deadline, you could face penalties and interest, so learn about the tax refund process and other relevant details here.
How to submit a tax return to the tax administration for 2025?
The IRS is yet to announce the start date for the 2025 tax season, however, according to reports, taxpayers can start filing their tax returns on January 27, 2025 as last year the agency also started the tax season by the end of January. The tax administration strives to make the tax system easier for the taxpayer and provides many methods of tax reporting.
Taxpayers preparing to file their taxes in the 2025 tax season can file their tax return in a number of ways, such as:
- IRS Direct File: Taxpayers from eligible regions can file their federal tax returns directly for free using IRS Direct File. This approach will make it easier and faster for taxpayers to file a tax return, and the agency can also review the tax return faster, which speeds up the entire process.
- IRS Free File: IRS Free File is available to certain taxpayers where they can prepare and file their taxes using tax software tools from IRS partners. The free file options will give them free tax filing and access to tax software tools. The agency launched IRS Free File as of today, January 10, 2025.
- VITA Tool: Older taxpayers who cannot use an online or offline service and need help filing their tax returns can use IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and tax counseling.
- Mailed Checks: Taxpayers can mail the 1040 tax form and other relevant documents to the agency before the deadline and file their tax returns.
- Tax Professional: Taxpayers who do not understand the complexities of tax returns or do not have time can turn to licensed and certified tax professionals who file tax returns. You should check the directory of credentialed federal tax return preparers and select a tax return professional verification qualification and choose an authentic tax professional to do taxes on their behalf
Who can file tax returns through IRS Direct File and Free File?
As we said earlier, the agency has allowed the IRS to direct files to certain regions, and only taxpayers who meet certain criteria can file their taxes through IRS Free File. Therefore, taxpayers who want to file taxes using any of these methods should know whether they can use these tax filing methods or not under the following conditions:
- IRS Direct File: Direct File has expanded to more states for the 2024 tax year, so taxpayers who live or worked in any of the following US states in 2024 can file their tax returns through IRS Direct File:
- Alaska
- California
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Florida
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- South Dakota
- Oregon
- Wisconsin
- Tennessee
- Pennsylvania
- Washington state
- Wyoming
- IRS Free File: Taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less in the 2024 tax year can file their tax return using the Free File Tax Management Software, and taxpayers over $84,000 can file their tax using the IRS Free File Form.
What information will you need to file your tax return with the IRS for 2025?
Taxpayers who want a faster review of their tax returns and faster processing of tax refunds should ensure that their tax information is complete and valid. To make sure you have included all the information in your 2025 tax return, you can collect the following documents:
- Social security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
- W-2 forms that employers need to report, Social Security, income or Medicare taxes withheld from their paychecks
- 1099 Forms issued by banks, taxpayers, agencies and others
- Records of past tax returns
- letter from the tax administration
- Other documents on sources of income
- If you work in the gig economy, you must prepare a !099-MISC, Form-1099, W-2, or other income statements
- Form-1095 A containing the health insurance market statement
- PIN for identity protection CP01A Notice
New changes of the Tax Administration for the 2025 tax season
Ahead of the 2025 tax season, the IRS introduced some new changes that every taxpayer should know and consider before filing their tax return:
- Taxpayers can receive a 1099-K this tax season when they earn $5,000 or more in payments in goods and services through marketplaces and payment apps in the tax year, so you should include this tax information on your tax return if you meet the criteria.
- If there is any change in your life, such as claiming a dependent child, getting married or divorced, the death of a spouse, or anything else that may affect your tax credit or eligibility. Changes in your life may make you eligible for tax credits or any other tax relief.
- You should generate an IP PIN to avoid delays in your online account tax refund. The IP PIN will allow taxpayers to duplicate the dependent claim in the tax return, which will enable the agency to quickly review the tax return and process the tax refund.
What do you need to do to expect your 2025 tax refund earlier?
The IRS urged taxpayers to e-file their tax returns and choose direct deposit as a payment option to receive their refunds sooner. The tax deadlines for tax season are April 15, 2025, and October 15, 2025 for extended tax returns, so taxpayers should try to file their tax returns early.
Taxpayers should understand that the timing of filing your tax return can affect the timing of your refund, so you should complete your tax obligations ahead of schedule and ensure that your tax information is correct. EITC/ACTC tax returns may take time due to the PATH Act; The IRS will issue tax returns with EITC/ACTC claims before mid-February 2025.
The 2025 IRS tax season is fast approaching. If you need to file a tax return for the 2024 tax year, you should see which method of filing your tax return with the IRS is best for you and prepare to file your taxes.
