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Hall Estill Building Tulsa Tax attorney David Potts

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A Reminder Regarding the 2021 Form 1040 Filing Due Date - It isn't April 15

January 2022

By: David T. Potts

The Journal Record

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The United States' annual tax filing season begins Monday, January 24, 2022, when the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") will begin accepting and processing 2021 Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns. The traditional deadline for filing 2021 Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, and 2021 Forms 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return, of April 15 has been extended in 2022 until April 18, 2022. 

The deadline has been extended due to the Emancipation Day holiday, which is celebrated on April 16 in the nation's capital to commemorate the date in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which freed 3,000 slaves in the D.C. area. April 16 falls on a Saturday this year, therefore the holiday will officially be observed on Friday, April 16. Since Emancipation Day is being observed on Friday, April 15, all federal offices in D.C. will be closed on that day, including the IRS. That means taxpayers get an extra three days this year to timely file Forms 2848 and Forms 4868 for tax year 2021.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to use IRS online tools and resources to find the information they need to be ready to accurately file their 2021 federal income tax returns, including special steps related to the Economic Impact Payments and advance Child Tax Credit payments. Utilizing the IRS online tools and resources is a simple step people can take to make sure they avoid delays and receive a quick refund on their federal tax returns. 

Taxpayers are encouraged to file their 2021 Forms 1040 electronically beginning January 24, 2022, and use tax preparation software or a trusted tax professional to guide them through the tax return preparation process and avoid making errors. According to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig, "it's critical this year to avoid a paper tax return whenever possible and file electronically with direct deposit."

The IRS anticipates most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days of filing if their tax return is filed electronically. Unless the refund involved Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, by law, the IRS cannot issue a refund involving either of those credits before mid-February. However, eligible taxpayers can file their federal tax returns beginning January 24, 2022. The law provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued. 

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