The IRS anticipates receiving more than 168 million individual tax returns this year, the majority of which will be submitted before April 18.

The IRS said on Thursday that the 2023 tax filing season will start on Jan. 23, the same day that it will start accepting and processing returns for the 2022 tax year.

More than 168 million individual tax returns are anticipated to be filed this year, according to the IRS, with the majority of those forms arriving before the tax filing deadline of April 18. The calendar gives taxpayers three extra days to file their taxes in 2023.

The IRS said the Jan. 23 start date for individual tax return filers provides it time to do annual maintenance and readiness work that is essential to ensuring its systems function properly. When the IRS starts taking tax returns on April 23, many software vendors and tax experts will already be accepting tax returns and transmitting them to the IRS.

Thanks to the cash it obtained from Congress after the Inflation Reduction Act’s enactment last August, the IRS has hired more than 5,000 extra telephone assistors and added more in-person workers to help serve people after the 2022 tax season was once again marred by paper processing delays and subpar customer service.

Before filing a tax return, taxpayers are urged by the IRS to have all the necessary information. According to the IRS, submitting a complete and accurate tax return can help taxpayers avoid lengthy processing and refund delays as well as the potential need to submit an amended tax return.

The IRS also advises taxpayers to carefully check their financial position so they do not miss out on any significant tax credits they may be qualified for, such the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a credit that can assist low- and moderate-income employees and families, and the IRS has designated January 27 as a special day to encourage people to make sure they are aware of its significant advantages.

Due to the weekend and the District of Columbia’s Emancipation Day holiday, which occurs on Monday, April 17, the tax filing deadline has been moved from April 15 to Tuesday, April 18. Washington, DC, holidays have the same legal effects on tax deadlines for everyone as do federal holidays. The deadline for filing for taxpayers requesting an extension is Monday, October 16.

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