WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to check out IRS.gov for tips, tools and resources to help them get ready to file their 2023 federal income tax return.
This is the third in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming filing season. The Get Ready page on IRS.gov outlines steps taxpayers can take now to make filing easier in 2024. Later this month, the IRS anticipates announcing a start date for the 2024 filing season when the agency will begin accepting tax returns.
Interactive Tax Assistant
The Interactive Tax Assistant is a tool on IRS.gov that can help taxpayers with various tax law questions, including:
- Who needs to file a tax return.
- What is the best filing status to use.
- Who can claim a dependent.
- Who is eligible to claim a credit or deduct certain expenses.
Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. EITC can reduce taxes owed and may give taxpayers a larger refund. Taxpayers can use the EITC Assistant to determine:
- If they are eligible to claim EITC.
- If they have any qualifying children or relatives.
- The estimated amount of their credit.
- The filing status they should use.
Where’s My Refund?
Most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. Taxpayers can use Where’s My Refund? to check the status of their 2023 income tax refund within 24 hours of e-filing. Refund information is normally available after four weeks for taxpayers that filed a paper return. Information on Where’s My Refund? will update overnight so there is no need to check the tool more than once a day.
IRS Individual Online Account
Taxpayers with a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can create or access their IRS Individual Online Account to get information they need to file their return.
With an IRS Individual Online Account, people can:
- View balance owed, payment history and schedule payments.
- Cancel scheduled payments – new feature for 2024.
- Get transcripts.
- View or create payment plans.
- See digital copies of some IRS notices.
- View key data from their most recently filed tax return, including adjusted gross income.
- Validate bank accounts and save multiple accounts, eliminating the need to re-enter bank account information every time they make a payment.
- View, approve and electronically sign power of attorney and tax information authorizations from their tax professional.
Identity Protection PIN
An Identity Protection (IP) PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using a taxpayer’s Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The IP PIN is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. It helps the IRS verify the taxpayer’s identity when they file an electronic or paper tax return.
The fastest way to receive an IP PIN is to use the online Get an IP PIN tool which will be available Jan. 8 through mid-November. Taxpayers that want an IP PIN and do not already have an Individual Online Account on IRS.gov, must register to confirm their identity.
IR-2024-01, Jan. 4, 2024