The tax season has a typical run time from around the start of the calendar year through mid-April, but there can be slight differences. Tax season may be slightly different for tax professionals, such as accountants, as well as tax software companies like TurboTax and H&R Block. For example, an accountant might be particularly focused on helping self-employed individuals with their tax returns, in which case, their tax season might also revolve around quarterly deadlines for estimated taxes. The primary tax season usually takes place during the first few months of the calendar year. Annual income taxes are based on the prior year’s income, which is why tax season starts around the beginning of the year. You might not be accounting for all of your income for the year if you start the filing process in December. But you might be able to confirm what you made for all of the tax year if you wait until January.
Examples of Tax Season
The official start of the IRS tax season fluctuates a bit, but it’s generally a few weeks into the year, or sometime in January. For example, in 2022, the tax season began on Jan. 24. In 2021, the start date for tax season was delayed until Feb. 12. The IRS said this gave the agency time to do more programming and testing of their systems following some end-of-2020 tax changes. The pandemic caused shifts in filing deadlines in 2020 and 2021. The end date of tax season typically lands on the tax deadline of April 15 for individual income returns. There can be slight changes, however, such as if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, or when extenuating circumstances prompt the IRS to move the date back.
What Tax Season Means for Individuals
Understanding tax season can help a taxpayer file their taxes on time, while also being mindful of what tax preparers may be going through. You might want to leave a little extra time to get a response if you have a tax question for an accountant during tax season, for example, compared to the timeline you might expect if you asked in August. You might also find that it’s better for you and your tax preparer to engage outside of tax season. For example, if you want to meet with a new tax preparer to see if they’re a good fit for you to switch to, they might have more time and be more relaxed if you meet with them outside of tax season. You may also want to meet with an accountant or tax professional if you go through a life event, such as marriage or if you become a parent. You may want to assess your tax withholding to ensure you pay enough in taxes throughout the year so that you don’t owe taxes come tax season.
