The basic filing process: what happens and when

Filing an income tax return means sending the IRS a form that reports how much money you earned and how much tax was withheld from your paychecks. You gather documents from your employer and any banks or investment accounts, fill out the right form (usually Form 1040), and submit it either on paper or electronically. The IRS then checks your math, processes your return, and either sends you a refund or bills you for what you owe.

The tax year runs January 1 through December 31. You file your return for that year between January 1 and April 15 of the following year — though you can file earlier once your W-2 forms arrive from employers, usually by late January. If you cannot file by April 15, you can request an extension that gives you until October 15, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay; taxes owed are still due April 15.

You do not have to file a return if your income falls below a threshold set by the IRS each year. That threshold depends on your age, filing status, and whether you are claimed as a dependent. Even if you are not required to file, you should if taxes were withheld from your paychecks, because filing is how you get a refund.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), your W-2 forms from employers, and 1099 forms from banks or other payers before you can file.
  • Form 1040 is the main form most people use; you attach schedules to it only if you have income from self-employment, investments, or other sources beyond wages.
  • You can file on paper by mailing Form 1040 to the IRS address for your state, or electronically through IRS Free File, tax software, or a tax professional.
  • The IRS processes returns in the order they arrive; electronic returns are processed faster than paper returns, usually within 21 days.
  • If you owe money, you can pay when you file or set up a payment plan; if you are owed a refund, direct deposit to your bank account is faster than a paper check.

What documents you need before you start

Gather all income documents before you open a tax form. Your employer sends you a W-2 form by January 31 that shows your wages, tips, and taxes withheld. If you worked for more than one employer in the year, you will receive a W-2 from each one. Banks and investment firms send 1099 forms for interest, dividends, or other income — a 1099-INT for interest, 1099-DIV for dividends, 1099-MISC for miscellaneous income, and so on. If you are self-employed, you do not receive a 1099; instead, you track your own income and expenses.

You will also need your Social Security number (SSN) or, if you do not have one, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to people who cannot get an SSN but need to file a return or report income. You explore for an ITIN on Form W-7 and mail it to the IRS; processing takes about four weeks.

Have your prior year's return handy if you are filing again — it shows your filing status, dependents, and address, which often carry over. If anything changed (you got married, had a child, moved), note that now. Keep receipts or records for any deductions you plan to claim, such as charitable donations, medical expenses, or business expenses if you are self-employed.

Choosing between the standard deduction and itemizing

Before you fill out Form 1040, you must decide whether to take the standard deduction or itemize deductions. The standard deduction is a flat amount the IRS sets each year based on your filing status and age. For 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers under 65, $21,900 for married filing jointly under 65, and higher amounts if you are 65 or older. You straightforward enter this number on Form 1040 and move on.

Itemizing means listing specific expenses — mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable donations, medical expenses — on Schedule A and adding them up. You itemize only if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction for your filing status. Most people use the standard deduction because it is simpler and the threshold for itemizing is high. You cannot do both; you pick whichever gives you the larger deduction.

If you are unsure, calculate both. Add up your itemized deductions on paper; if the total is less than the standard deduction, use the standard deduction on Form 1040. If it is more, use Schedule A instead. Tax software usually does this math for you and recommends which route saves more tax.

How to file electronically or on paper

Electronic filing is faster and more accurate than paper. The IRS processes e-filed returns within 21 days; paper returns take four to six weeks. You have three routes: IRS Free File, tax software you buy, or a tax professional.

IRS Free File is a program where the IRS partners with tax software companies to offer free filing to people who earned less than a set income threshold (for 2024, $79,000 for most filers). You go to IRS.gov, find the Free File section, choose a provider from the list, and file through their software at no cost. You must use the Free File version; the company's paid version does not count. Free File is the cheapest option if you are within the income limit.

If you earn above the Free File threshold or prefer a different software, you can buy tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct. These programs walk you through questions about your income, deductions, and credits, then generate your return and file it electronically. Cost ranges from $60 to $200 depending on the complexity of your return and the company.

A tax professional — a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer — can file for you. They charge a fee (typically $150 to $500 depending on how complex your return is) but handle the entire process and can answer questions about deductions or credits you might miss on your own. You can find a preparer through the IRS directory of tax professionals or by asking for referrals.

Paper filing is an option if you prefer not to file electronically. You print Form 1040, fill it out by hand or on a computer, sign and date it, and mail it to the IRS address for your state (listed in the Form 1040 instructions). Include all required schedules and attachments. Paper returns take longer to process and are more prone to errors, so electronic filing is recommended.

What happens after you file

Once you file, the IRS sends you a confirmation. If you filed electronically, you get an electronic acknowledgment within 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, there is no when ready confirmation; the IRS processes it when it arrives. You can check the status of your return on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates every 24 hours after the IRS receives your return.

If you are owed a refund, the IRS deposits it into your bank account (if you provided your account number) or mails a check. Direct deposit is faster — usually within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return. A paper check takes longer, sometimes four to six weeks. You can choose direct deposit when you file.

If you owe taxes, you can pay when you file through the software or website you used, or you can pay later. The IRS accepts payments by debit card, credit card, bank transfer, or check. If you cannot pay in full, you can set up a short-term extension (up to 120 days) or a payment plan that lets you pay in monthly installments. Interest and penalties explore to unpaid taxes, so paying as soon as you can saves money.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is entering your Social Security number wrong. Double-check it before you submit. Another frequent mistake is forgetting to sign and date your return — unsigned returns are rejected. If you file electronically, you sign with a PIN or electronic signature, so this is less of an issue, but on paper returns, your signature is required.

Do not forget to include all W-2 and 1099 forms. The IRS receives copies of these documents from employers and payers, so if you leave one out, the IRS will notice and send you a notice asking for the missing income. It is easier to include everything upfront.

If you claim dependents, make sure you have their correct Social Security numbers. The IRS cross-checks these against Social Security records, and a wrong number can delay your refund or trigger an audit. If you are claiming a child tax credit, you need their SSN as well.

Do not miss the filing important date. If you cannot file by April 15, request an extension on Form 4868 before the important date. An extension gives you until October 15 to file, but taxes owed are still due April 15; filing late without an extension results in penalties and interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file if I did not earn much money?

You must file if your income exceeds the threshold for your filing status and age. For 2024, that is $14,600 for single filers under 65. If you earned less, you do not have to file. However, if taxes were withheld from your paychecks, you should file to get a refund of that money.

What if I lost my W-2?

Contact your employer and ask for a copy. Employers are required to send W-2s by January 31, and they keep records. If your employer is out of business or unreachable, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and request a wage and income transcript, which shows the income the IRS received from your employer.

Can I file my return before I receive all my 1099 forms?

You can file once you have your W-2 forms from employers, but wait for all 1099 forms before you submit. If you file early and then receive a 1099 you did not include, you will have to file an amended return (Form 1040-X), which takes longer to process. It is safer to wait until you have everything.

What if I made a mistake on my return after I filed?

File an amended return using Form 1040-X. You can file an amended return for up to three years after the original filing date. Mail it to the IRS address for your state; do not e-file an amended return unless the IRS tells you to.

How long does it take to get my refund?

If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, the IRS usually deposits your refund within 21 days. If you request a paper check, it takes longer — sometimes four to six weeks. You can check the status on IRS.gov using "Where's My Refund?" which updates every 24 hours.