What to Know as 2024 Tax Season Begins

The 2024 tax season begins today.

Deadline and Extensions: Taxpayers iin 48 states have until April 15th to pay or request an extension. Residents of Massachusetts or Maine have until April 17th. Extensions will give taxpayers an additional six months to potentially take advantage of various credits and deductions before submitting payment.

When to Expect Tax Refunds: Taxpayers who file electronically and request direct deposit will receive their refund within 21 days. Taxpayers should be sure to include all required documents, as mistakes in a return could result in a longer processing time. Refund statuses can be checked using the IRS' Refund Status tool. If claiming either the child tax credit, or earned income tax credit refunds will not be sent before mid-February.

Payment Options: The IRS will offer payment plans for those without cash in-hand, but there may be additional fees involved. Taxpayers should note that payment apps are not being required to send Form 1099-Ks to users making less than $20,000 this tax season, but that will change next year.

Paying Too Much?: A new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy found that about two-thirds of taxpayers feel that they are paying too much in taxes. The poll found Republicans are more likely in general than Democrats to say that taxes are "unfair," and that the same is true of adults age 60 or older. Younger adults, however, generally see more fairness in tax payments, according to the poll.