If you’ve lost track of time when it comes to sending in those tax forms, it appears you’re not the only one.
The deadline to file your federal tax return is just over a week away, and fewer than half of the expected 168 million returns have reached the IRS.
According to the latest information available, the IRS has received 80,683,000 returns as of March 24.
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What is the federal tax deadline for 2023?
Deadline to file your federal income taxes is April 18.
Taxpayers in portions of Alabama, California and Georgia that have been declared disaster areas have until Oct. 16 to file their taxes.
How do you know whether you have to file a tax return?
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, whether you must file a federal income tax return depends on your gross income, your filing status, your age, and whether you are a dependent. Generally, most U.S. citizens and permanent residents who work in the United States need to file a tax return if they make more than a certain amount for the year.
For most taxpayers, that includes filing a return if you meet these requirements:
| If your filing status is | and at the end of 2022 you were | File if gross income was at least |
| Single | under 65/65 or older | $12,950/$14,700 |
| Head of household | under 65/65 or older | $19,400/$21,150 |
| Married filing jointly | both under 65/1 spouse under 65/both over 65 | $25,900/$27,300/$28,700 |
| Married filing separately | any age | $5 |
| Qualifying surviving spouse | under 65/65 or older | $25,900/$27,300 |
How to file a tax extension
If you can’t file by the April 18 deadline, you can request an automatic six-month extension. A few words of caution:
How long does it take to get a refund?
If a return is filed electronically file, you should receive your refund within three weeks — although some may take longer — after the IRS receives the tax return. Get the refund even sooner if you opt to have it directly deposited to your checking or savings account.
Tax returns that are mailed can take six months or more to process, the IRS said.
How do you check on the status of a refund?
The best way to check the status your refund is through Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov. You will need the following information:
- Your Social Security number
- Your filing status
- Your exact whole dollar refund amount
You can start checking on the status of your return within 24 hours after the IRS received your e-filed return, or four weeks after mailing a paper return.
What are the 2023 tax brackets and how do you know which one you’re in?
The 2022 tax brackets for people filing individual returns in 2023 are:
- 37% for incomes greater than $539,900.
- 35% for incomes over $215,950.
- 32% for incomes over $170,050.
- 24% for incomes over $89,075.
- 22% for incomes over $41,775.
- 12% for incomes over $10,275.
- 10% for incomes $10,275 or less.
The tax brackets for married couples filing joint returns are:
- 37% for incomes greater than $647,850.
- 35% for incomes over $431,900.
- 32% for incomes over $340,100.
- 24% for incomes over $178,150.
- 22% for incomes over $83,550.
- 12% for incomes over $20,550.
- 10% for incomes $20,550 or less.
Where can you download IRS tax forms?
Forms can be downloaded, along with instructions, directly from the IRS.
What kind of help does IRS offer taxpayers?
IRS Free File lets qualified taxpayers prepare and file federal income tax returns online using guided tax preparation software. It’s safe, easy and is offered at no cost.
Free File is a public-private partnership between the IRS and many tax preparation and filing software industry companies that provide their online tax preparation and filing for free.
Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $73,000 or less qualify for a free federal tax return.
Those who don’t qualify can still use Free File Fillable Forms.