For most taxpayers, Tuesday, April 18, 2023 was the deadline to pay taxes on income earned in 2022, also known as tax day. If you filed a tax extension, you should have paid already, but now have until Oct. 16 to file your tax return.
Tax day is customarily on April 15. But in 2023 that date fell on a Saturday and the following Monday was Emancipation Day, which is recognized as a holiday in Washington, D.C. As a result, tax day was pushed back until the following Tuesday.
Many California residents also have until Oct. 16 to file and pay, because of natural disasters that have struck the state, as do taxpayers in parts of Alabama and Georgia. Storm victims in parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and New York have also been granted some deadline relief.
The Internal Revenue Service routinely extends filing deadlines for victims of federally declared disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, that occur in the weeks or months before Tax Day. You can check the agency’s tax relief list for updates.
When is the last day to file taxes in 2023?
April 18 was the federal tax deadline for individuals and small businesses in 2023. It was the due date for paying taxes you still owe on income earned in 2022 and the last day to submit your tax return if you didn’t file an extension. It was also the last day to file for a tax extension.
The IRS estimates that one in eight Americans asked for an extension this year. If you are one of them, your tax filing deadline is now Oct. 16.
One thing to remember, however: The extension doesn’t apply to payments.
Failing to pay and file your taxes when due could lead to penalties of up to 47.5% of your original tax bill, plus interest. You won’t face a penalty if you’re due a refund, but you could lose your refund if you don’t file a tax return within three years of the original deadline.
If you were unable to pay your bill in full by the April 18 deadline, you can apply for a payment plan via the IRS website to make reasonable monthly payments.
When do I get my tax refund?
The IRS sends the majority of tax refunds to filers within three weeks of processing their tax return. But issues arise, and the timeline could be much longer if your return is missing information or the IRS system flags it for fraud.
In general, filing electronically and choosing direct deposit instead of a paper check will speed up your refund.
After filing, you can track the status of your refund on the IRS website. You’ll need to input the exact refund amount, to the dollar, that is listed on your tax return, as well as your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and filing status.
If the IRS needs to get in touch about your return or refund, you’ll get a paper notice in the mail—never an email, phone call or text message. Scams are ubiquitous during tax season, so stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the IRS.
How to get help with your taxes
For many Americans the simplest solution to filing your taxes is tax software, which can automate the process, once you collect all your relevant tax documents. If you are shopping for a solution this season, check out Buy Side from WSJ’s picks for Best Tax Software. Our top pick TurboTax does a great job handling a range of returns.
If your taxes are simple—think basically using a W-2 to fill out a Form 1040—there is a chance you will be able to qualify for free tax software from TurboTax, H&R Block or one of the other big tax software companies. To learn more about the ins and outs, plus where you may qualify, read our guide to getting your taxes done for free.
Another way to qualify for a free return is courtesy of Uncle Sam. If your adjusted gross income is below $73,000, you should be able to use the IRS’s Guided Tax Preparation program, which will help you complete your return for free through a partner site.
Conversely, if you taxes feel overwhelming and you think what you need is an actual tax professional, there are plenty of options.
Finally, for more information that will help you sort through tax season jargon, check out this guide from The Wall Street Journal newsroom.
The advice, recommendations or rankings expressed in this article are those of the Buy Side from WSJ editorial team, and have not been reviewed or endorsed by our commercial partners.