Hello, I googled this question but haven’t seen a clear cut answer. The IRS website says it will start processing on the 27th. Then I’m seeing 29th in other places. Which day can I officially file with no issues? My W-2 is available and I have 1 dependent. I know it will take longer but I’d like to still file on day 1. Any answers would be great. Thanks.
You can go ahead and e-file whenever your forms are ready. if you want to. But until the IRS begins to accept e-files, your return will sit on a server in pending.
MY RETURN IS IN PENDING—what does that mean?
Did you e-file? Did you click that big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?” If so, your return is now in “pending” on a server. Do not try to change anything while your return is in pending.On January 29 the IRS will begin to accept/reject e-files. The IRS accepts a FEW returns in test batches ahead of January 29—-but that is very random. Watch your emails—including your spam folder—for the notice about whether your e-file has been accepted or rejected. If your return is rejected you will be able to make corrections before re-filing. If the return you e-filed is accepted you will have to wait until it has been fully processed and then amend it to fix any mistakes or omissions. It has been taking the IRS four to six months—sometimes longer—to process amended returns. If you e-filed your state return there will be another email later that tells you if the state was accepted or rejected.
WARNING: Do not try to change anything on your return while it is pending.
I would take the IRS's word for what the IRS is going to do, rather than "other places." Last year the starting date was January 29. Maybe some of the "other places" have not been updated for this year, or you are looking at old information from last year.
IRS announces Jan. 27 start to 2025 tax filing season
I didn't even think about whether or not it was too early to file, just slipped my mind. Was notified about my W-2 on 1/21/25 and filed. I got denied due to my pin not matching. I immediately corrected it on 1/22/25, was pending, but now shows that my federal was accepted. State is still pending.
@Dar12peg wrote:
I didn't even think about whether or not it was too early to file, just slipped my mind. Was notified about my W-2 on 1/21/25 and filed. I got denied due to my pin not matching. I immediately corrected it on 1/22/25, was pending, but now shows that my federal was accepted. State is still pending.
Every year we see the IRS process some returns before the official opening date, but we don't know who, how many, or when they will do this. Turbotax allows early filing, but the returns sit in a data warehouse until the IRS downloads them. Also, early processing does not mean early payment.
It looks like you were one of the early returns that was processed, and everything is as expected so far. Remember that states process returns separately on their own schedule, and you will have to look at your state tax web site to see when they start processing tax returns.