The IRS has not yet announced when they will begin to accept
2018 tax returns. Last year they began accepting 2017 returns on January
29. With all of the new tax laws and changes to the tax forms, tax
software, etc. it is unlikely to be earlier than that, and probably
later. They do not yet even have all of the forms ready; some state forms
are not expected to be ready until March. Trying to file too early is not
advisable at all. And if you are in a hurry because you are expecting
earned income credit or child tax credit, remember that they will not release
refunds before mid-February at the earliest for people who are
seeking those child-related credits.
“The IRS reminds taxpayers that, by law, the IRS cannot issue
refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child
Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. While the IRS will process those returns
when received, it cannot issue related refunds before
mid-February. .."
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7047675
A date has not yet
been set. It is unlikely the IRS will begin accepting efiled returns until the
end of January. TurboTax usually starts accepting returns earlier but they just
hold them until the IRS begins accepting them. Once you submit a return to
TurboTax for efiling, you can't make any changes to it. If you are an employee
who gets a W-2, employers are not required to send them until the end of
January. You should not prepare and file a tax return until you have your W-2.
With all the tax changes implemented for 2018 tax year, many are recommending
that you not efile your return until at least mid February.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/7047669
When can I file for 2018?
The online software is not yet available for a 2018 return, no
date has been set yet but usually early December is when it opens. And
the Downloaded versions usually come out in mid to late November BUT these are
only beta versions and are not fully operational until sometime mid to late
January and some forms & state programs are not ready until sometime in
February.
Due to the massive tax reform expect things to be delayed this
year but when the program is operational it will have incorporated ALL the
changes.
Everyone should be wary of filing too early this year as the
system will be quite buggy for a while. Last time there were massive late
changes some folks who filed early in January got "stuck or lost" in
the IRS system for months so patience will need to be exercised this year for
sure.
Do not try to prepare your return using your
pay stub. The information on your pay stub will not match the W-2 that
will be sent by your employers to the IRS. Employers, banks, Social
Security, etc. have until the end of January/early February 2019 to provide you
with the documents you will need to enter on your 2018 tax return. Most brokers have until late February or mid
March to issue final 1099 forms. And if you need a K-1 those can be out as late
as mid September … so you should always wait for all your tax forms to come in
before you file. Trying to file early and then ending up having to amend
because you used incorrect/incomplete information is counter-productive.
If your return is incorrect, and you have to amend it, it will take months for
the IRS to process your amended return.
The IRS will not be accepting returns until an as yet
undetermined date in January. They will not begin issuing refunds until
at least mid-February... late February if you have any EIC or ACTC like the
past couple of years.
