Free Guide to IRS Tax Return Filing Dates 2024

Understanding IRS Tax Return Filing Dates for 2024

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sets specific dates each year when tax returns must be filed. For the 2024 tax year, understanding these dates helps you plan ahead and avoid potential penalties. The main filing date for most taxpayers is April 15, 2025—this is when individual income tax returns for the 2024 tax year are due to the IRS. This date applies to residents of all 50 states and U.S. territories, with limited exceptions based on location or military service.

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The reason the IRS establishes these dates relates to how the tax system works. When you file a tax return, you report all income earned during the previous calendar year (January 1 through December 31, 2024). The IRS then uses this information to determine if you paid the correct amount of taxes throughout the year. If you paid too much through withholding or estimated tax payments, you may receive a refund. If you paid too little, you may owe additional taxes.

It's important to note that April 15, 2025 falls on a Monday. When the filing date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the IRS typically moves the deadline to the next business day. However, in 2025, April 15 is a regular business day, so the deadline remains unchanged. Some states may have different filing dates for state income taxes, so checking your state's requirements separately is necessary.

Practical takeaway: Mark April 15, 2025 on your calendar if you plan to file a federal tax return for the 2024 tax year. This single date applies to most individual taxpayers across the country.

Who Must File a Tax Return in 2024

Not every person who earned income during 2024 must file a federal tax return. The IRS has specific income thresholds that determine whether filing is required. For the 2024 tax year, most single filers under age 65 must file if their gross income exceeds $14,600. For single filers age 65 and older, the threshold is $18,350. These amounts increase slightly each year to account for inflation.

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If you are married filing jointly and both spouses are under 65, you must file if your combined gross income exceeds $29,200. If both spouses are 65 or older, the threshold increases to $34,700. A married person filing separately typically must file if gross income exceeds $1,500, regardless of age. These thresholds apply to most types of income, including wages, self-employment income, investment income, and retirement distributions.

There are situations where you should file even if your income is below these thresholds. If you had income subject to self-employment tax (you worked as an independent contractor or ran a business), you may need to file to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. If you received distributions from a retirement account, had taxes withheld from your paychecks, or received certain government benefits, filing may allow you to recover money owed to you as a refund.

Some groups have different filing requirements. If you received certain types of income—such as scholarships, teacher loan forgiveness, or health savings account distributions—you may need to file regardless of income level. Additionally, if you owe taxes from a previous year, filing is required. Dependents have their own filing thresholds based on the type and amount of income they earned.

Practical takeaway: Calculate your 2024 gross income against your filing threshold. Even if you're below the threshold, file if you expect a refund or received certain credits or deductions. The worst case is filing when you don't have to—you don't face penalties for filing early.

Extension Deadlines and Filing for More Time

If you cannot complete your tax return by April 15, 2025, the IRS permits you to request an extension of time to file. Requesting an extension gives you until October 15, 2025 to submit your return—a six-month extension. This extension is available to most taxpayers and is relatively straightforward to obtain. However, understanding what an extension does and does not do is critical to avoiding penalties and interest charges.

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An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay taxes owed. If you expect to owe taxes, the IRS still expects payment by April 15, 2025, even if you file your return later. Failing to pay by the original deadline results in interest charges and failure-to-pay penalties, even if you filed an extension. The extension only delays when you must submit your completed return to the IRS—it does not delay when taxes are due.

To request an extension, you file Form 4868 with the IRS. This form must be filed by April 15, 2025 to receive the full six-month extension. You can file Form 4868 electronically through IRS e-file, by mail, or in some cases through a tax professional. Filing the form is simple and does not require explanation or justification—you do not need to explain why you need the extension. The IRS approves most extension requests automatically.

If you file an extension and then discover you owe taxes, you can pay the estimated amount due by April 15, 2025, and pay any remaining balance when you file your return in October. This approach minimizes interest charges. If you expect a refund, there is no penalty for filing late, but filing sooner means you receive your refund sooner. Some states also require you to file a state extension request separately—federal extension does not automatically extend state filing deadlines.

Practical takeaway: If you need more time, file Form 4868 by April 15, 2025 to receive until October 15, 2025 to file. Estimate any taxes owed and pay by April 15 to minimize interest. Mark October 15 on your calendar as your new filing deadline.

Early Filing and Refund Timeline Information

Many taxpayers can file their returns weeks before the April 15 deadline. Filing early offers several practical benefits, particularly if you expect a refund. The IRS typically begins accepting returns in late January or early February of each year. For the 2024 tax year, the IRS announced it would begin accepting returns on January 27, 2025. This early start gives you several months to prepare and file before the April deadline.

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If you expect a refund, filing early allows the IRS to process your return and send your refund sooner. Once the IRS receives your return, processing typically takes 21 days or less for most returns filed electronically. However, some returns require additional review and may take longer. The IRS publishes where my refund information on their website, allowing you to track the status of your return after filing. You can check your status using your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount.

Refunds may be delayed if your return contains errors, is incomplete, or requires verification of information you reported. The IRS may hold refunds if you claimed certain credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, due to fraud prevention measures. These holds typically last until mid-February or later in the tax season to allow time for verification. If you owe back taxes or student loan debt, the IRS may offset your refund to pay these obligations.

Filing early also reduces stress and gives you time to address any issues with your return before the deadline. If the IRS requests additional information about your return, you have more time to gather documents and respond. Early filers also avoid the rush at tax time, when many people file returns simultaneously, potentially causing delays in processing. Additionally, if you use a tax professional to prepare your return, filing early allows them to work on your return when they have more availability.

Practical takeaway: Begin gathering your tax documents in January. Once the IRS starts accepting returns on January 27, 2025, file your return as soon as you have all necessary documents. Track your refund status online after filing to know when to expect your money.

Special Filing Dates for Military Members and Overseas Residents

The IRS recognizes that certain groups of taxpayers face unique circumstances that may make meeting the standard April 15 deadline difficult. Active-duty military members serving in designated combat zones and U.S. citizens living outside the country receive automatic extensions without needing to file Form 4868. These groups receive an extension until June 15, 2025—two additional months beyond the standard deadline.

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