When Is Tax Season? Definition, Dates, and Deadlines

What Is Tax Season?

Tax season is the time period, generally between Jan. 1 and April 15 of each year, when individual taxpayers traditionally prepare financial statements and reports for the previous year and submit their tax returns. In the U.S., individuals typically must file their annual tax return by April 15 of the year following any reportable earnings. Tax returns submitted after the end of tax season are subject to late penalty fees and interest charges.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that the U.S. tax season begins on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, which is when the IRS begins accepting and processing 2022 tax year returns. The deadline is April 18, 2023.

Understanding Tax Season

Tax season is the period within which all income taxes must be filed up until the deadline. The deadline each year is typically April 15; however, if this date falls on a weekend or holiday, it is moved to the next business day. For instance, in 2023, April 15 is a Saturday, and the following business day, Monday, April 17, is Emancipation Day, so as a result, taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to file their 2022 tax returns and pay any taxes due. Tax returns submitted after this date are subject to late penalty fees.

During tax season, businesses must furnish employees, contract laborers, and others, such as royalty earners, with tax documents specifying data required to complete an individual's tax returns. People who are required to file a tax return generally must do so before April 15 or request an extension.

Tax season is a busy period for many tax preparers and accounting professionals. The three-and-a-half-month period at the beginning of the year is the time when the necessary paperwork, including wage and earnings statements (such as 1099s or W-2s), is collected to assemble tax returns.

While some individuals calculate their own tax returns, many rely on the expertise of tax preparers and accounting professionals to be certain the paperwork is filed correctly and to improve the financial outcome of the tax return. An individual who earned $73,000 or less (in 2022) can file taxes for free through the IRS Free File program. Individuals must file federal, state, and, in some cases, local tax returns.

For tax year 2022, according to the IRS, a taxpayer with gross income (all income from all sources) of more than $12,950 will have to pay federal tax. Independent contractors, or what the IRS refers to as "non-employee compensation," must file a return and pay self-employment taxes on any net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more.

The deadline for employers to file and send W-2s to employees is January 31. Businesses that hire independent contractors must send these nonemployees Form 1099-NEC as of the 2022 tax year. This form replaced 1099-MISC, which still remains in effect for payments made for things like rent, prizes, and healthcare, among others.

Extensions

Although the deadline to file your taxes is nearly always April 15, there are cases when the IRS may have to extend it. That was the case with the 2020 federal tax year. The agency extended the filing date for individuals until May 17, 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A further extension was granted to those living in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana because of the winter storms that hit those states in February 2021. The deadline for individuals and corporations to file their 2020 tax returns was pushed to June 15, 2021.

Then the following spring storms caused enough damage to Tennessee as well as parts of Alabama and Kentucky to grant further extensions. The IRS often extends filing deadlines for disaster areas, which they have done already in 2023.

Why Filing Early Can Make Sense

Even though many taxpayers file their tax returns on or by about April 15 every year, there is no need to put it off until the last minute. Indeed, filing an early tax return can make sense for a variety of reasons.

The IRS began accepting and processing 2022 tax year returns on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Even if you don't file early, there are reasons to begin preparation as soon as you can.

Starting your filing process early gives you the time you need to collect the evidence needed to claim all of your deductions. You will avoid the headache of the middle of the night stress over figures and receipts. Your accountant will have a more flexible schedule and will probably be able to start working on your accounts immediately. Also, by filing early, you will short-circuit would-be identity thieves.

The Bottom Line

Tax season is the period when individuals and businesses prepare their documents for filing taxes, which are generally due on April 15. Most individuals and businesses start receiving the needed documents to fill out their tax forms in January. Therefore, tax season is usually considered to be between Jan. 1 and April 15.

At this time, people fill out their taxes themselves, use tax software, or hire tax professionals. Whichever method is chosen, it's important to get taxes in by the due date so as to avoid penalties, fees, and interest charges.