Why can't forms be ready till January 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...

[SweetieJean]

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[DoninGA]

Why can't forms be ready till January 18?

Because the IRS has not yet finalized certain 2017 tax forms and schedules and once the IRS approves the tax forms and schedules included in the TurboTax tax preparation software they will be available for filing a tax return.

IRS website for forms - https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions

See this TurboTax support FAQ for IRS forms availability - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1908854-irs-forms-availability-table-for-turbotax-individual-perso...