Understanding Early Tax Filing: When You Can Submit Your Returns

What Drives People to File Taxes Early?

Many Americans choose to file their taxes at the beginning of the season rather than waiting until the April 15 deadline. The reasons are compelling: securing your refund quickly, protecting yourself from identity theft, and ensuring you don’t miss out on any tax credits you’re entitled to claim. If a fraudster attempts to submit a return using your information after you’ve already filed, their submission will be rejected since yours has already been processed by the IRS.

The IRS Tax Season Timeline: When Does It Actually Open?

If you’re wondering how early you can file taxes, the answer depends on when the IRS officially opens tax season. While the agency hasn’t yet announced the specific start date for the current year, the announcement typically arrives in late December or early January. Based on historical patterns, the IRS usually begins accepting returns around the end of January—for instance, the 2019 tax year filing season opened on January 27, 2020.

However, the April 15 deadline is fixed. Whether you file in January or wait until March, you must submit your return by this date (or the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday).

Before You File: Essential Documents You’ll Need

Timing your tax submission depends on more than just when the IRS opens its doors. You’ll also need to gather the necessary tax documents. Even if the IRS accepts returns starting late January, you cannot file until you have everything required to complete your return.

Common documents include:

• W-2 forms from your employer, showing your annual earnings
• 1099 forms if you have self-employment income or gig economy earnings
• 1098-E forms if you plan to deduct student loan interest
• 1098-T forms for education credits like the American Opportunity Tax Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit
• 1098 forms if you want to claim mortgage interest deductions
• 1095(A) forms for health insurance obtained through the Affordable Care Act marketplace

Most employers and financial institutions must mail these documents by January 31, which means you may realistically be ready to file in February at the earliest, depending on your specific situation.

Why the Extra Urgency for Recent Tax Years?

In certain years, filing early takes on added significance. For example, if government stimulus payments were distributed based on previous tax filings, getting your current return submitted promptly ensures you can claim any credits you may have missed if you weren’t eligible initially based on prior-year income data.

Filing Your Return as Soon as Possible

To maximize the benefits of early filing, check the IRS website in late December or early January for the exact date tax season begins. Once that date arrives and you’ve assembled all required documents, submit your return immediately. This strategy allows you to reclaim your refund sooner and adds an extra layer of protection against identity fraud.