The IRS will start accepting 2024 federal tax returns on January 27 | CNN Business

CNN - Jan 10th, 2025
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The IRS announced that the 2024 tax filing season will begin on January 27, with new tools and improvements for taxpayers, such as expanded use of chatbots and voicebots. Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas, including parts of the Southeast affected by hurricanes, have until May 1 to file and pay taxes. The Direct File program, allowing free direct tax filing with the IRS, has expanded to 25 states, covering more tax situations like the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Additionally, IRS Free File partners offer free filing options for those with an AGI of $84,000 or less, including military personnel.

The start of the tax season marks significant enhancements in IRS services amid ongoing improvements within the agency. The expansion of the Direct File program and Free File options reflects efforts to simplify tax filing and improve accessibility. The IRS's timeline for refunds remains largely the same, with a majority of filers expected to receive refunds within 21 days. The agency continues to address past oversights by issuing payments for unclaimed 2021 recovery rebate credits. These developments hold significant importance for efficient tax administration and taxpayer convenience in the upcoming filing season.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the IRS's tax filing procedures for the upcoming season, but it could benefit from enhanced source attribution and more explicit transparency regarding the changes and initiatives mentioned. While it is generally accurate and clear, the article would be stronger with more balanced representation of perspectives, especially regarding the effectiveness and challenges of the IRS's new tools and programs.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article appears to be factually accurate, providing specific dates such as January 27 for the start of tax filing and April 15 as the usual deadline. It also accurately notes exceptions for those in federally declared disaster areas and details about the IRS Direct File program's expansion. However, while the article reports on the IRS's improvements and tools like chatbots and voicebots, it could benefit from citing sources or statements that verify these claims, such as user testimonials or expert opinions on these tools' effectiveness.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents information from the IRS's perspective, focusing on new tools and programs without discussing potential challenges or criticisms. There is a lack of alternative viewpoints or expert opinions on the efficacy and accessibility of these new IRS tools. For example, it mentions the expansion of the Direct File program but does not address any user feedback or historical performance issues. Including perspectives from tax professionals or taxpayers could provide a more balanced view.

9
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly written, with logical flow and concise language. It effectively segments information about deadlines, filing options, and refund processes, making it easy for readers to follow. The tone is neutral and professional, avoiding emotive language. However, the inclusion of additional subheadings or bullet points could further enhance readability, especially in sections with dense information, such as the list of states participating in the Direct File program.

5
Source quality

The article lacks explicit citations or references to external sources, relying heavily on statements from the IRS and its commissioner. While it quotes Danny Werfel and provides data on refunds, verification through independent sources or expert commentary would strengthen its credibility. The absence of diverse or third-party sources to corroborate the information presented makes it difficult to fully assess the quality of the information provided.

7
Transparency

The article provides detailed descriptions of the IRS's procedures and deadlines, but it lacks depth in disclosing the basis for claims about the IRS's improvements. While it explains the extended deadlines for disaster-affected areas, it doesn't clarify how the effectiveness of new tools will be measured or what specific improvements have been historically made. Greater transparency about the potential limitations or conflicts of interest in promoting IRS tools could enhance the article.