how electronic filing e file works
taxpayers can file their returns directly on the irs website submitting fillable forms using irs free file those with an adjusted gross income earned in 2023 of 79 000 or less can alternatively use the free file site to access the free e filing services of irs software partners with guided tax preparation including a spanish language option 12a taxpayer has the option of filing the return using any tax preparation software with e filing functionality or hiring the services of tax professionals who use similar software the irs free file site has a search feature to help taxpayers find an authorized e filing provider in their area 3certain taxpayers may file their federal tax returns for free directly with the irs through the direct file program this service is available to people who lived in the following states in 2023 arizona california florida massachusetts nevada new hampshire new york south dakota tennessee texas washington state and wyoming tax filers must submit state tax returns separately refer to the irs website to see if you qualify 4benefits of electronic filinge filing saves the tax agency time and money because it transmits a return s data directly to its computers significantly reducing input errors filing electronically with tax preparation software also helps to reduce taxpayer calculation errors and missing entries the irs says 5most taxpayers who e file and provide direct deposit information can expect to receive any due refund within 21 days if there are no issues with their tax return according to the irs 6another benefit of e filing is that the tax filer receives an acceptance or rejection notice within 48 hours usually within 24 hours of transmitting the tax return acceptance is proof that the documents have been received and are in the system while a rejection alerts the taxpayer that the return has not been accepted by the irs 7the rejection notice will include information on what needs to be corrected on the return to make it so that it is acceptable if you e filed before the tax due date but are rejected after it then there is a five day grace period for correcting and resubmitting your return after that you must send in a corrected paper return 7limitations on e filingthe irs recommends only taxpayers who are comfortable doing their own taxes e file without help from a professional irs free file is only available for returns for the most recent tax year prior year returns going back two years can still be filed electronically by registered tax preparers 1the irs accepts e filed returns for the most recent year until a november cutoff date typically announced in october subject to the same timeliness rules as paper returns 8an electronic filing could be rejected over mistakes in entering a social security number or a payer s identification number an omitted form or a misspelled name returns can typically be e filed again once such errors are fixed the irs says if all else fails and the deadline looms send in a paper return instead 89