2017 Income Tax Season: Georgia Filing, Refunds Delayed

ATLANTA, GA — A couple of changes in how tax season works in Georgia may mean some unfamiliar routines for 2017.

The oft-dreaded April 15 won't actually be tax day this year and, because of a holiday in the nation's capitol, one more day will tacked onto Tax Season 2017 for the last-minute filers. But folks who like to get their taxes done early — and, as such, their tax refunds in pocket sooner — are going to have to wait a while longer than they may like.

Here's a look at some of the key changes in Georgia for income tax season 2017:

When is Tax Day in Georgia?

Everybody knows that Tax Day is April 15, right? Well, not this year.

In 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday. Normally, that would mean the Internal Revenue Service would push the deadline to the following Monday, which is April 17.

But, this year, Washington, D.C. will be celebrating the legal holiday of Emancipation Day on that day.

Therefore, the federal deadline to file your income taxes in 2017is Tuesday, April 18.

How Fast Will I Get My Income Tax Refund in Georgia?

This answer isn't going to make everyone happy.

State tax refunds in Georgia may take more than three months to process, even for people who file electronically. The delay will be due to new steps being taken to prevent tax fraud, said Georgia Department of Revenue Commissioner Lynne Riley.

Riley said the department has implemented a state-of-the-art fraud management system, which already has blocked $70 million in fraudulently filed refund requests in 2016.

For individuals the state won't start processing tax returns until February 1. It will take around 90 days for the revenue department to then process the return and issue a refund. And people who are filing Georgia taxes for the first time, or who have not done so for five years, will receive their refund in the form of a paper check.

What About My Federal Tax Refund?

Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds remains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund.

The IRS still anticipates issuing more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days, but there are some important factors to keep in mind for taxpayers.

Beginning in 2017, a new law requires the IRS to hold refunds on tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February. Under the change required by Congress in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS must hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with the EITC and ACTC — until at least February 15.

This change helps ensure that taxpayers get the refund they are owed by giving the IRS more time to help detect and prevent fraud.

As in past years, the IRS will begin accepting and processing tax returns once the filing season begins. All taxpayers should file as usual, and tax return preparers should also submit returns as they normally do — including returns claiming EITC and ACTC.

Free Help With Filing Your Taxes

Help for Taxpayers
The IRS reminds taxpayers they have a variety of options to get help filing and preparing their tax return on IRS.gov.

Taxpayers can also, if eligible, locate help from a community volunteer. Go to the IRS website and click on the "Filing" tab for more information.

Seventy percent of the nation’s taxpayers are eligible for IRS Free File. Commercial partners of the IRS offer free brand-name software to about 100 million individuals and families with incomes of $64,000 or less.

Online fillable forms provides electronic versions of IRS paper forms to all taxpayers regardless of income that can be prepared and filed by people comfortable with completing their own returns.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offer free tax help to people who qualify. Go to the IRS website and enter “free tax prep” in the search box to learn more and find a nearby VITA or TCE site, or download the IRS2Go smartphone app to find a free tax prep provider.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can provide helpful information and advice about the ever-changing tax code. Tips for choosing a return preparer and details about national tax professional groups are available on IRS.gov.

Patch file photo