The IRS has officially announced that tax season for 2025 will begin on January 27, permitting taxpayers to file their returns for the 2024 tax year. This date marks a crucial milestone for the agency, which expects over 140 million tax returns to be submitted before the April 15 deadline, as reported by USA Today and echoed by other sources like AP News. Notably, this announcement comes amid a significant restructuring within the IRS, aimed at enhancing customer service and technological capabilities.

This year, taxpayers can start filing returns as early as January 10 when the IRS Free File service became available. This program caters to those with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $84,000 or less in 2024, providing necessary tools to facilitate online filings.

Additionally, the IRS is expanding its Direct File program, enabling users to calculate and submit their returns directly to the agency without relying on commercial tax preparation software. The pilot program, which previously operated in only 12 states, will now be accessible in 25 states, including major ones like California, Florida, and Texas.

Taxpayers can expect refunds to be processed swiftly, with most being issued in under 21 days. Those filing electronically can track their refunds via the IRS's Where’s My Refund? tool as soon as 24 hours after submission, while paper filers should allow about four weeks for status updates.

The IRS also emphasizes the importance of utilizing electronic filing and direct deposit as the fastest and safest methods for receiving refunds. This recommendation comes as refunds are often significant for Americans, with the average refund last year reaching approximately $3,100.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel highlighted the ongoing improvements within the agency, stating, “This has been a historic period of improvement for the IRS,” and he noted the addition of extended office hours and enhanced services to assist taxpayers effectively during the busy filing season.

Taxpayers are advised to visit the IRS website for additional resources and tools designed to streamline the filing experience. For a comprehensive understanding of the new offerings for this tax season, including tips on filing and potential scams, refer to the details in the original articles by Newsweek and CBS News.