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The 2025 tax-filing season will begin in just a couple of short weeks on Monday, Jan. 27, according to a recent announcement by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
As the Tuesday, April 15 federal deadline approaches, the IRS anticipates that more than 140 million tax returns for the 2024 tax year will be submitted. The agency is encouraging taxpayers to utilize one of its filing tools to streamline the process.
While over 50% of tax returns this year are anticipated to be submitted with the help of a tax expert, the IRS has implemented improvements in the filing procedure to support taxpayers.
Since the tax season of last year, the IRS has announced several enhancements, such as improved access to tax account details via text and voice virtual assistants, upgraded functionalities on the Individual Online Account, increased availability of tax forms on mobile devices like cell phones and tablets, and more comprehensive alerts regarding tax-related scams and schemes.
In addition to these advancements, the IRS touted the expansion of the Immediate Document program, which will be available in 25 states on Jan. 27. The IRS Complimentary Document Guided Tax Software, which provides millions of U.S. taxpayers with free software tools by IRS partners, was made available on Friday.
“According to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, ‘This has marked a significant era of progress for the IRS, and taxpayers can expect new tools and features to assist them during this tax season.’ He emphasized that while the enhancements made so far are crucial, they represent just the start of the necessary steps the IRS must take. He noted that further advancements are possible with ongoing investment in the country’s tax infrastructure.”
It’s important to note that a new round of stimulus payments totaling $2.4 billion is now being issued to approximately 1 million Americans by the IRS, and taxpayers could be eligible for the automatic payment if they did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return.
Immediate Document
Eligible taxpayers in 25 states, including New York and New Jersey, will be able to access Immediate Document on Jan. 27. The treasury estimated that there are 30 million taxpayers eligible across these states.
Immediate Document is a web-based service that guides taxpayers through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return step-by-step. Once completed, Immediate Document guides these filers to state tools to complete their state tax filings.
In an effort to hasten the tax filing process, Immediate Document will allow taxpayers to opt-in to automatically import data from their IRS account, including personal information, IP PIN and some information from the filer’s W-2.
During the pilot in 2024, Immediate Document only supported taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents. However, this year, Immediate Document will also support taxpayers claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Credit for the Elderly and Disabled and Retirement Savings Contribution Credits.
Beyond covering taxpayers claiming the standard deduction and deductions for student loan interest and educator expenses, the Immediate Document will also support taxpayers claiming deductions for Health Savings Accounts.
Complimentary Document
As of Friday, “almost everyone” can file electronically for free using IRS Complimentary Document, which offers free tax preparation software from eight companies in the public-private partnership between the IRS and Complimentary Document Inc.
In preparation for the 2025 tax season, these partners will offer online guided tax software solutions for individuals whose Adjusted Gross Income is $84,000 or below in 2024.
Although the tax season has not officially begun, IRS Complimentary Document providers will allow taxpayers to prepare and file returns ahead of time and hold them until they can be electronically filed once the season kicks off.
The Get Ready page on IRS.gov reveals how taxpayers can get a head start on the filing process in preparation of tax season.
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