How to file your taxes for free in Texas, and other tax season info you should know

Megan Cardona
Mark Lennihan/AP Photo/AP

Tax season started Jan. 23 and the Internal Revenue Service expects over 168 million individual tax returns to be filed.

Here’s what to know about the 2023 tax season.

When is the tax filing deadline?

The deadline to file 2022 taxes is April 18. This is also the deadline to submit a filing extension.

Important dates for this year’s filing season:

  • April 18: National due date to file a 2022 tax return or request an extension and pay tax owed due to the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C.

  • October 16: Due date to file for those requesting an extension on their 2022 tax returns.

Is there a free way to file taxes in Texas?

The IRS offers two free options for individuals to file their taxes.

One is Guided Tax Preparation filing which is free to taxpayers who made $73,000 or less in 2022. The Guided Tax Preparation had IRS software do the math for you with a few questions for the taxpayer to answer.

The IRS also has Fillable Forms which is a free way to file for any income level. The taxpayer is required to do all the work through this filing system.

What information do I need to file?

Filing with the current information is important to prevent delays or late notices. Gather all tax records for 2022 including Social Security numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer Identification Numbers and the Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers valid for calendar year 2023.

When are tax refunds issued?

If you’ve already filed your taxes, the IRS reports most refunds are issued within 21 days of filing. Many refunds will be available starting Feb. 28.

Taxpayers can check their refund status through the IRS website’s “Where’s My Refund?” page.

Can I file for 2022 if my 2021 taxes are still processing?

Yes. If the IRS is still processing any errors or corrections made in 2021 returns, you can still file for 2022.

For the latest information about the status of tax returns received in 2022, visit the “IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-Critical Functions Continue” section of the IRS website.

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