Maximize Your Returns: The Importance of Filing Taxes Early

Why should I file my income tax return early?

There are many benefits of filing taxes early. And not all tax tips are just for the rich and wealthy, but all Americans. Here are the top four reasons to file your taxes as early as you can for this year:

Reason 1: Filing early helps protect against identify theft and refund fraud. As soon as a Social Security number is used for this year’s taxes, it can’t be used again – at least not easily and certainly not electronically with the IRS and state tax authorities. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers and bad actors out there. Fraudulent tax return filings that use your information can cause major headaches. But you can avoid that by filing early. The sooner you file your tax return, the faster your data is locked down and protected against someone else trying to use it.

Reason 2: Filing earlier can lead to the IRS processing your return sooner. And because most people get a tax refund, it also means you’ll get your refund sooner! In fact, the IRS says most refunds are funded within 21 days after being processed. Getting your tax refund sooner is a good thing! This money can help in so many ways, from paying bills, or buying essential items. It can also help you reach your financial goals by funding your retirement and savings accounts.

Reason 3: If you file your taxes early, but owe the IRS or your state and have a balance due, you have more time to gather the money to pay. It’s a myth that you have to pay taxes you owe the same day you file. If you file early, you still get first benefit of having locked down your tax data from scammers, but you do not have to pay any balance due until Tax Day, April 15, at midnight.

Reason 4: Even if you just start the process of filing early, rather than waiting until the clock strikes midnight, you’re giving yourself more time to gather all your documents and information you need to file an accurate tax return. This helps you avoid stress and panic. You won’t run into any surprises if you start early!

Plus, starting the process early and filing your return before the deadline helps you beat the “tax season rush,” giving you all the time you really need.

For example, say you schedule an appointment to talk to your Tax Pro at Jackson Hewitt. They will ask you questions that will impact your tax return, like:

• Did you start a new job this year? Or get married? Or have a change in dependents?
• Did you earn money through the use of an app or company like PayPal or Venmo?
• Did you make any improvements to your home?
• Did you go to college, trade school, or vocational school?
• Did you make a student loan payment?

Because answers to these questions will spur our tax experts to help you gather information and documentation that can benefit your tax return. If you wait until the last minute, this process can be more challenging. Filing earlier, or at least starting earlier, gives you more time if a new deduction or credit is discovered—from a life or law change—and you are not scrambling to find the size of your home office or business miles traveled.

How early can you start filing taxes?

As soon as you’re ready! The IRS began accepting and processing Tax Year 2023 tax returns on January 29, 2024.

At Jackson Hewitt, we recommend you organize all your tax-related documents into four categories: 

• Income items
• Deductions
• Life changes
• Other

Organizing this way not only helps you get and stay prepared, but it also helps prompt you and your Tax Pro for a new or different tax deduction or credit.

When is the tax deadline to file 2023 income taxes?

This year, you have until April 15, 2024, to file and pay your 2023 federal income taxes.

There are a few exceptions to having to file by April 15, including filing an extension, are out of the country, deployed by the military, and others. But an important thing to remember is that an extension only gives you more time to file your return, not pay any balance due owed. If you file an extension, but don’t pay on time, you risk penalties and interest from the IRS.

What other tips do you have to successfully file early?

Tax tip 1: Make sure you and your Tax Pro file your tax return electronically. It’s not only the fastest way to make sure the IRS receives your return, but the safest way. This keeps paper returns and refund checks from getting stolen out of your mailbox or getting lost in the mail. Here at Jackson Hewitt, we’ll file for you electronically.

Tax tip 2: Electronically deposit your tax refund. Having your refund deposited directly into your bank account, or onto a prepaid bank card, is the safest option. This avoids the possibility of your check getting stolen or getting marked as “undeliverable” if sent to the wrong mailbox.

These two bonus tips alone can cut days and weeks off your tax return refund timing, and better safeguard your information and money.

Are there any other advantages of filing taxes early?

Filing early, or at least starting earlier, helps you get organized. If you track and review all the documents you get, especially those related to wages and income, and realize there is a mistake or something is missing, you have more time to correct these situations. Not only will correcting mistakes help you file an accurate return, but it could lead you to getting a bigger tax refund.

Starting early helps you avoid making simple mistakes on your tax return, too. Things like basic math errors, incorrectly spelled names, forgetting to report a source of income, or filing under the wrong filing status. You can catch even bigger mistakes like claiming credits or deductions you don’t qualify for. Or conversely, failing to claim things you are eligible for. Filing your taxes is important and should be taken seriously. The advantage of having time on your side for what is likely your largest single financial transaction of the year is huge!

What documents do you need to file your tax return early?

There are many of documents you should gather. Check out this great document checklist on jacksonhewitt.com.

In general, be prepared to have:

• An unexpired government-issued photo ID, like your driver’s license
• A Social Security card or the number, at least
• Last year’s federal and state tax returns
• Income documents, like W-2s, 1099s, unemployment benefit statements, retirement income documents, and more.
• And new for many this year, especially if you’re self-employed or have other business or non-business earnings, watch for or seek out your 1099-K for any electronic business payments you received during the year.

Have other documents and are not sure? Bring them in and your Tax Pro will figure it out. Always better to be safe than sorry and miss out on a possible credit or deduction.

So don’t wait any longer. Find a Jackson Hewitt office near you and work with a Tax Pro today.

About the Author

Mark Steber is Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Information Officer for Jackson Hewitt. With over 30 years of experience, he oversees tax service delivery, quality assurance and tax law adherence. Mark is Jackson Hewitt’s national spokesperson and liaison to the Internal Revenue Service and other government authorities. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holds registrations in Alabama and Georgia, and is an expert on consumer income taxes including electronic tax and tax data protection.

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