Why do the dates when i can file keep changing? first it was jan 4th then jan 11th now jan 18?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

You may be aware that in late December Congress passed a major tax reform bill.  That has the IRS scrambling to get tax return forms ready for this tax filing season.  They were waiting for the laws to pass.

Some forms are not finalized so you cannot file.  The IRS has to finalize a number of forms and then approve the finalized forms in the TT software.  Many state forms are not finalized either.  What's the rush?  The IRS will not be accepting returns until January 29 at the earliest, so filing early will not get you a faster refund.  The earliest refunds will not be released until mid to late February.  You just have to wait for the forms to be ready.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908854-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-federal-products-exc...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908857-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-state-except-busines...

[nicholes07]

I understand the tax bill but that does not affect 2017 taxes i thought?

[xmasbaby0]

Although most of the changes do not go into effect until you file your 2018 tax return next year, the IRS waited to see what the changes were going to be.  It threw a big monkey wrench into having the forms ready for 2017 returns.

[VolvoGirl]

On Jan 4 Turbo Tax started letting you submit 1040EZ returns.  Even though you can submit your efile to Turbo Tax they will just hold them until the IRS opens on Jan 29.  See    <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2018-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-29-tax-returns-due-april-17-help-avai...>

But for 1040A and full 1040 returns some of the 2017 forms haven't been approved by the IRS yet.  The IRS has to separately approve the electronic forms the tax programs use.  See the link posted above.  Like schedule A won't be finalized until Jan 18 (scroll way down the list).

[nicholes07]

Thanks