Thu Jan 30 10:10:00 UTC 2025: ## IRS Opens 2025 Tax Season: Millions of Returns Already Filed

**WASHINGTON, D.C. –** The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially opened the 2025 tax filing season today, beginning the processing of 2024 tax returns. Millions of returns have already been received. The IRS anticipates over 140 million individual returns by the April 15th deadline and urges taxpayers to utilize reputable tax professionals to avoid scams.

Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas may qualify for filing extensions. The IRS encourages electronic filing and direct deposit for faster, more secure refunds, noting that paper checks are significantly more prone to issues.

Free tax preparation assistance is available through several IRS programs:

* **IRS Free File:** Guided tax software for those with incomes up to $84,000. Fillable forms are available for all income levels.
* **IRS Direct File:** A free online filing service in 25 states.
* **Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA):** Free assistance for those with incomes under $67,000, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers.
* **Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE):** Free assistance, particularly for seniors.
* **MilTax:** Free filing for military members and some veterans.

Taxpayers can track their refunds using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app. However, the IRS cautions against relying on specific refund dates. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refunds are typically processed after mid-February.

The IRS also highlights the importance of choosing a reputable tax preparer and warns against scams. Taxpayers should be wary of individuals who don’t provide a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Resources like the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers are available to help find qualified professionals. Information on identifying and reporting tax scams is also available on the IRS website.

This year’s improvements include enhanced functionality in the IRS Individual Online Account, redesigned notices, mobile-adaptive tax forms, and improved virtual assistant support, including voicebots for refund information. These updates aim to streamline the tax filing process and enhance taxpayer security.

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