Taxpayers are encouraged to do the following to make tracking their tax refunds easier:
If a taxpayer claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), they can expect to get their refund by March 3 if:
As people prepare to file their 2024 tax return, the IRS reminds taxpayers they can find answers to their tax questions from the comfort of their home using IRS online tools and resources. These IRS.gov tools are easy to use, available 24 hours a day and help taxpayers get ready to file.
Taxpayers can check out many other tools and resources online at IRS.gov.
More information:
Visit the Get Ready page for key information on: gathering and organizing tax records, life changes that can affect a refund, what to do with a Form 1099-K, home and energy related credits, how to avoid refund delays, and refund timing.
Make your first stop IRS.gov where you’ll find online tools to help you get the information you need. The tools are easy-to-use and available 24 hours a day. Millions of people use them to help file and pay taxes, find information about their accounts, and get answers to tax questions.
With the 2025 filing season quickly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service encouraged taxpayers to take key steps now to prepare for filing their 2024 federal income tax returns next year.
The IRS continues to improve taxpayer services to help people prepare for tax season with more digital tools and options available. The IRS encourages taxpayers to sign up now for an IRS Online Account to make tax season easier and help safeguard their tax information.
There are a number of things taxpayers can do to get ready as the end of 2024 nears and the start of the 2025 tax season approaches.
The IRS’s Get Ready page on IRS.gov offers practical tips and resources to help taxpayers prepare. It highlights key updates and important steps for taxpayers to consider to make tax filing easier in 2025.
This reminder is part of a series designed to help taxpayers “Get Ready” for the upcoming filing season. Taking action now can reduce stress and ensure a smoother filing process next year.
Do more with an IRS Online Account
Individuals can create or access their IRS Online Account at Online account for individuals. With an IRS Online Account, they can:
Get an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN)
An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a federal tax return using an individual’s Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. It’s a vital tool for ensuring the safety of taxpayers’ personal and financial information.
New for the 2025 filing season, the IRS will accept Forms 1040, 1040-NR and 1040-SS even if a dependent has already been claimed on a previously filed return, as long as the primary taxpayer on the second return includes a valid IP PIN. This change will reduce the time for the agency to receive the tax return and accelerate the issuance of tax refunds for those with duplicate dependent returns.
The best way to sign up for an IP PIN is through the IRS Online Account. If an individual is unable to create an Online Account, alternative methods are available, such as in-person authentication at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. More information is available on how to sign up at Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN).
Deadline for 2024 last quarterly estimated payment is Jan. 15, 2025
Taxpayers with non-wage income—such as unemployment benefits, self-employment income, annuity payments or earnings from digital assets—may need to make estimated or additional tax payments. The Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov can help wage earners determine if they need to make an additional payment to avoid an unexpected tax bill when filing their return.
1099-K reporting changes
Taxpayers who received more than $5,000 in payments for goods and services through an online marketplace or payment app in 2024 should expect to receive a Form 1099-K in January 2025. A copy of this form will be sent to the IRS as well.
Although the IRS is taking a phased in approach to implementation of the Form 1099-K reporting threshold, there have been no changes to the taxability of income. All income, including proceeds from part-time work, side jobs or the sale of goods and services is taxable. Taxpayers must report all income on their tax return unless it’s excluded by law, whether they receive a Form 1099-K or not. The law doesn’t allow taxpayers to avoid taxes on income earned just because they didn’t get a form reporting the payments received.
It is important for taxpayers to understand why they received a Form 1099-K and how to use it along with their other records to figure and report the correct amount of income on their tax return. It is also important for taxpayers to know what to do if they received a Form 1099-K but shouldn’t have. In either situation, good recordkeeping is key. Having good records will help make tax filing easier.
Prepare to include digital assets on taxes in 2025
Just like previous filing years, taxpayers must report all digital asset-related income when they file their 2024 federal income tax return. A digital asset is property that is stored electronically and can be bought, sold, owned, transferred or traded. Examples include convertible virtual currencies and cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
If a taxpayer had digital asset transactions last year, they should be sure to keep records that prove their purchase, receipt, sale, exchange or any other disposition of the digital assets and that includes the fair market value, as measured in U.S. dollars of all digital assets received as income or as a payment in the ordinary course of a trade or business.
When filing 2024 federal income tax returns, taxpayers will be asked to answer “Yes” or “No” to the following question:
“At any time during the tax year, did you:
(a) receive (as a reward, award or payment for property or services); or (b) sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of a digital asset (or a financial interest in a digital asset)?”
Taxpayers should be prepared to answer the question by reviewing the digital assets landing page and FAQ available on IRS.gov. In addition to checking the “Yes” box, taxpayers must report all income related to their digital asset transactions. Information on how to report digital asset transactions, including calculating capital gain or loss, determining basis and reporting the income on the correct form can also be found on the digital assets landing page.
Understand refund timing and how to avoid delays
Several factors can influence the timing of a refund after the IRS receives a tax return. While the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, taxpayers are advised not to depend on receiving a 2024 federal tax refund by a specific date for major purchases or bill payments. Some returns may require additional review and take longer to process if there are possible errors, missing information, or indications of identity theft or fraud.
Additionally, under the PATH Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds for tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. The IRS must hold the entire refund—not just the portion associated with these credits—until the review is complete.
Gather and organize 2024 tax documents
To make tax time easier, taxpayers should establish an effective record-keeping system, either electronic or paper, to organize all important documents in one place. This includes year-end income forms such as Forms W-2 from employers, Forms 1099 from banks or other payers, Forms 1099-K from third-party payment networks, Forms 1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation, Forms 1099-MISC for miscellaneous income, Forms 1099-INT for interest income and records of all digital asset transactions.
Having all necessary documentation ensures taxpayers can file an accurate return and reduces the likelihood of processing delays or refund issues.
Use direct deposit for a faster refund
Filing electronically and selecting direct deposit remains the fastest and safest way for taxpayers to receive their 2024 tax refunds. Direct deposit ensures quicker access to refunds compared to receiving a paper check.
For those without a bank account, resources are available to help. Individuals can learn how to open an account at an FDIC-insured bank or use the national Credit Union Locator tool. Veterans can explore the Veterans Benefits Banking Program for financial services at participating banks.
Tax refunds can also be deposited onto prepaid debit cards or through mobile payment apps, provided they have routing and account numbers. Taxpayers should confirm with the mobile app provider or financial institution which numbers to use when completing their tax return.
Free filing options
Seventy percent of all taxpayers can use free brand name tax software to prepare and file their federal income tax return electronically using IRS Free File. All taxpayers, regardless of income level, can also use IRS Free File Fillable Forms.
Taxpayers living in participating states with relatively simple tax returns can use Direct File and file their tax return online directly with the IRS. The Direct File program is another option for taxpayers to file their taxes. Taxpayers can see if they are eligible for Direct File.
The Internal Revenue Service today announced that the optional standard mileage rate for automobiles driven for business will increase by 3 cents in 2025, while the mileage rates for vehicles used for other purposes will remain unchanged from 2024.
Optional standard milage rates are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating vehicles for business, charitable and medical purposes, as well as for active-duty members of the Armed Forces who are moving.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:
The rates apply to fully-electric and hybrid automobiles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.
While the mileage rate for charitable use is set by statute, the mileage rate for business use is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes, meanwhile, is based on only the variable costs from the annual study.
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers cannot claim a miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenses. And only taxpayers who are members of the military on active duty may claim a deduction for moving expenses incurred while relocating under orders to a permanent change of station.
Use of the standard mileage rates is optional. Taxpayers may instead choose to calculate the actual costs of using their vehicle.
Taxpayers using the standard mileage rate for a vehicle they own and use for business must choose to use the rate in the first year the automobile is available for business use. Then, in later years, they can choose to use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses.
For a leased vehicle, taxpayers using the standard mileage rate must employ that method for the entire lease period, including renewals.
Notice 2025-5 contains the optional 2025 standard mileage rates, as well as the maximum automobile cost used to calculate mileage reimbursement allowances under a fixed-and variable rate (FAVR) plan. The notice also provides the maximum fair market value of employer-provided automobiles first made available to employees for personal use in 2025 for which employers may calculate mileage allowances using a cents-per-mile valuation rule or the fleet-average-valuation rule.
The Internal Revenue Service continues to open its Business Tax Account (BTA) to a growing number of business taxpayers, expanding the useful features available.
The latest expansion makes this online self-service tool for business taxpayers available to C corporations. In addition, a person who can legally bind the corporation, known as a Designated Official (DO), can now access BTA on behalf of their S corporation or C corporation.
New features also include tax return, tax account and entity transcripts for the current tax year and some previous tax years, with some transcripts now available in Spanish.
Available in both English and Spanish, BTA is a key part of the agency’s wide-ranging transformation initiative, transforming service at the IRS by offering taxpayers a seamless and convenient digital experience and helping them easily meet their tax obligations.
With the latest expansion, Designated Officials can view and pay their corporation’s tax balances and make Federal Tax Deposits (FTDs). In addition, DOs and sole proprietors can now use BTA to approve or reject a tax transcript authorization request from a lender through the IRS Income Verification Express Service (IVES).
What is a Designated Official?
A person who is legally authorized to bind the corporation and a current employee who received a W-2 form from the corporation for the most recent tax-filing year. By registering as a DO, this person will have full access to the corporation’s tax information and can act on behalf of the corporation within BTA. Although a corporation can have more than one DO, every DO must be one of these officials.
Designated Official titles:
What is Income Verification Express Service?
IVES helps both borrowers and lenders speed up the lending process. Through IVES, mortgage companies, banks, credit unions and other lenders can easily access a taxpayer’s tax records to verify the income of those applying for mortgages and other loans. The IRS can only provide a lender access to this information if a taxpayer authorizes it. Tax records include transcripts of a taxpayer’s tax returns, as well as 1099s and other forms filed by banks and other payors reporting business income to the IRS. Through BTA and IVES, business taxpayers can now quickly and easily approve or reject these authorization requests from lenders.
What’s available through Business Tax Account?
Business taxpayers can view:
Business taxpayers can also:
Who qualifies to use BTA?
Most business taxpayers can now activate and use their Business Tax Account. This includes:
Single-member LLCs (SMLLCs) with an EIN that are reporting business income on Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship), can’t currently access BTA. A tax preparer or representative of a company will not have access to BTA and in the future will use Tax Pro to support their business taxpayers. Under the agency’s Digital First Initiative, these businesses, as well as other entities including tax-exempt organizations, government agencies and partnerships, will be able to access BTA in the future.
How to get ready for BTA
The IRS urges every eligible business to activate and use their BTA. The first step is to gather all required tax records. This can include:
Then, using their existing or newly established ID.me profile, complete the activation process at Business Tax Account.
How to register as a DO
First, gather all required tax records. Some of the same records needed to activate the BTA are also needed for DO registration. This includes the corporation’s EIN, federal tax return–either Form 1120 or Form 1120-S—and mailing address from the most recent IRS records.
Next, sign into the corporation’s existing Business Tax Account.
Finally, register as a DO by requesting a PIN. The PIN is unique to the requesting user and cannot be transferred to another user and is sent to the most recent business mailing address. The DO will receive the PIN within five to ten business days.
All DOs must re-validate annually using BTA. Though not required, a corporation can help ensure continued business access to BTA by having multiple DOs.
What new features will be added to BTA in the future?
When fully developed, BTA will be a robust online self-service tool allowing many types of business taxpayers and other entities to check their tax history, make payments, view notices, authorize powers of attorney and conduct other business with the IRS.
For more information visit Business Tax Account, view the Business Tax Account Overview video or review Publication 5904, Access Your Business Tax Account.
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded those aged 73 and older of the deadline to take Required Minimum Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) and other retirement plans, and highlighted updates introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are amounts that many retirement plan and IRA account owners must withdraw annually. These withdrawals are considered taxable income and may incur penalties if not taken on time. The IRS.gov Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs webpage provides detailed information regarding the new provisions in the law.
SECURE 2.0 Act: The new law raised the age that account owners must begin taking RMDs, while eliminating RMDs for Designated Roth accounts in 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans.
The minimum distribution rules generally apply to original account holders and their beneficiaries in these types of plans:
Designated Roth accounts in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan will not be subject to the RMD rules while the account owner is still alive for 2024. The RMD Comparison Chart outlines key RMD rules for IRAs and defined contribution plans.
Penalties for missed distributions
If an account owner fails to withdraw the full amount of the RMD by the due date, the owner is subject to a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn. The 25% excise tax rate is reduced to 10% if the error is corrected within two years.
RMD calculations
IRA trustees or plan administrators must either report the RMD amount to the account owner or offer to calculate it. Each IRA plan’s RMD must be calculated separately, however owners can withdraw the total required amount from one or more accounts of their choice as long as the annual requirement is met. An IRA trustee or plan administrator may calculate the RMD, but the account owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring the correct RMD is taken. The IRS provides required minimum distribution worksheets to help calculate the RMD amounts and payout periods.
Account owners should file Form 5329, Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts, with their federal tax return for the year the full amount of the RMD was required but not taken.
Inherited IRAs
Beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, retirement plan accounts, or Roth IRAs may be required to take RMDs. For guidance on taking RMDs from an inherited account and reporting taxable distributions as part of gross income, refer to Retirement Topics – Beneficiary and Required Minimum Distributions for IRA Beneficiaries. Help for those in charge of the estate to complete and file federal income tax returns can be found in Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators. The factors that affect the distribution requirements for inherited retirement plan accounts and IRAs include:
Taxpayers can find easy-to-use tools such as forms, instructions and publications at IRS.gov.
A federal district court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction temporarily barring the federal government from enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its beneficial ownership information reporting (BOI) requirements. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed Congress exceeded its authority under the U.S. Constitution and the judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas agreed. The judge enjoined the federal government from enforcing the provisions of the CTA after finding the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in trial based on the merits of their claims.
Under the court order, neither the CTA nor the implementing rules adopted by Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) may be enforced and reporting companies are not required to comply with the Jan. 1 deadline for filing BOI reports. The preliminary injunction is not a final decision on the case, and it is likely the government will appeal the injunction. FinCEN has yet to issue any guidance addressing the ruling.
Based on the decision, it appears that FinCEN can’t penalize entities that do not file BOI reports. However, questions related to the constitutionality of the CTA and BOI reporting are still being litigated and they are unlikely to be resolved soon. Owners of entities should check for updates from FinCEN on the status of the CTA and BOI reporting.
As part of its efforts to educate small businesses and other key stakeholders about new beneficial ownership reporting requirements, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) participated in a number of events in September. Over the past year, FinCEN has directly reached small businesses and other key stakeholder groups through hundreds of beneficial ownership events and other engagements—including conferences, webinars, roundtables, and informational sessions—in partnership with Secretaries of State, industry groups, Members of Congress, corporate service providers, Chambers of Commerce, government agencies, and other organizations.
To find out more about the reporting process, visit https://www.fincen.gov/boi.
News Release: https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/september-2024-beneficial-ownership-reporting-outreach-activities
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that during open enrollment season for Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) they may be eligible to use tax-free dollars to pay medical expenses not covered by other health plans.
An employee who chooses to participate in an FSA can contribute up to $3,300 through payroll deductions during the 2025 plan year. Amounts contributed are not subject to federal income tax, Social Security tax or Medicare tax.
If the plan allows, the employer may also contribute to an employee’s FSA. If the employee’s spouse has a plan through their employer, the spouse can also contribute up to $3,300 to that plan. In this situation, the couple could jointly contribute up to $6,600 for their household.
For FSAs that permit the carryover of unused amounts, the maximum carryover amount to 2025 is $660, increasing from $640 in tax year 2024. The carryover doesn’t affect the maximum amount of salary reduction contributions that can be made.
It’s important for taxpayers to annually review their health care selections during health care open enrollment season and maximize their savings.
Eligible employees of companies that offer a health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) need to act before their medical plan year begins to take advantage of an FSA during 2025. Self-employed individuals are not eligible.
Expenses to consider
Throughout the year, taxpayers can use FSA funds for qualified medical expenses not covered by their health plan. These can include co-pays, deductibles and a variety of medical products. Also covered are services ranging from dental and vision care to eyeglasses and hearing aids. Interested employees should check with their employer for details on eligible expenses and claim procedures.
Before enrollment (if an employer offers an FSA), review any expected health care expenses projected for the year. Participating employees should plan for healthcare activities when they calculate their contribution amounts. Consider:
Employers are not required to offer FSAs. Interested taxpayers should check with their employer to see if they offer an FSA. Also, all FSAs are subject to plan terms which may be more restrictive than the maximums allowed under the law, including both the maximum dollar amounts and the expenses covered. More information about FSAs can be found at IRS.gov in Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans.