2019 Income Tax Season: Filing Under Way But VA Not Processing

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia taxpayers can now file their 2018 state and federal taxes, but the returns are not being processed because of a squabble in the General Assembly. With the 2019 tax season now under way, federal officials encourage taxpayers to file early to reduce the risk of tax fraud and to file electronically to ensure a quicker refund. The Internal Revenue Service began accepting personal income tax returns on Jan. 28, and reminds workers that because of changes in federal tax law you should review your withholding amounts early in 2019 to make sure you don't have too little or too much withheld from your paychecks next year.

The filing deadline for 2018 tax returns is Monday, April 15. Virginia Tax cannot start processing returns immediately, since the Virginia General Assembly determines the commonwealth’s response to the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Lawmakers have not yet agreed on how to make state tax returns align with federal returns.

While Virginia Tax waits to start processing returns, taxpayers will not have access to refund information using the Where’s My Refund application on the Virginia Tax website. If taxpayers file electronically and receive a message that Virginia Tax has accepted the return, no more action is needed, according to a news release.

The state has received an estimated 345,000 tax returns that have yet to be processed because state officials don’t know which tax guidelines to follow, The Washington Post reports. Republican bills would favor wealthy families, opponents claim, while Gov. Ralph Northam and most Democratic state legislators want to mirror the federal code without changing state policy about deductions.

The IRS says the best way to check the status of your federal refund is to use the Where's My Refund? tool on IRS.gov. This tool gives taxpayers access to their tax return and refund status any time. All you need is internet access and three pieces of information:

• Your Social Security number
• Your filing status
• The exact whole dollar amount of the refund

Taxpayers can start checking on the status of a return within 24 hours after the IRS received an e-filed return, or four weeks after you mail a paper return. Where's My Refund? includes a tracker that displays progress through three stages: the IRS receives the tax return, then approves the refund, and sends the refund.

Where's My Refund? Updates once a day, so taxpayers don't need to check more often.

You can also track a return and refund status on your mobile devices using the free IRS2Go app. Those who file an amended return should check out the Where's My Amended Return? tool.

Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days, but some may take longer. IRS phone and walk-in representatives can research the status of refunds only if it's been 21 days or more since a taxpayer filed electronically, or more than six weeks since they mailed a paper return.

For tax year 2018, all individual taxpayers will file using the new Form 1040. Forms 1040A and 1040EZ are no longer available. Taxpayers who previously filed these forms will now file Form 1040. The new Form 1040 uses a “building block” approach allowing people to add only the schedules they need to their 2018 federal tax return.

Individuals who filed their federal tax return electronically last year may not notice any changes, as the tax return preparation software will automatically use their answers to the tax questions to complete the Form 1040 and any needed schedules.

Taxpayers can file for free. Join the millions of Americans who safely file their taxes and save money using IRS Free File, offered to about 100 million individuals and families with incomes of $66,000 or less.

Tips To Avoid Scams

Phone scams targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, are routine. Callers claim to be IRS employees, using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a gift card or wire transfer.

Victims may be threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver's license. If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an "urgent" callback request.

Note that the IRS doesn't:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
• Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
• Demand payment without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Refunds in 2019

"Where's My Refund?" ‎on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go mobile app are the best way to check the status of a refund. "Where's My Refund?" will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC and ACTC refund filers by Feb. 23, so those filers will not see a refund date on "Where's My Refund?" ‎or through their software packages until then.

The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting on Feb. 27, 2019, if these taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.

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

All taxpayers should file as usual, and tax return preparers should also submit returns as they normally do – including returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Errors delay refunds and the easiest way to avoid them is to e-file. Combining direct deposit with electronic filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. With direct deposit, a refund goes directly into a taxpayer's bank account.

There are several e-file options:

• IRS Free File.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
• Commercial tax preparation software.
• Tax professional.

Before you file, the IRS has these tips to help you.

• Gather your records. Make sure you have all your tax records. This includes receipts, canceled checks and other records that support income, deductions or tax credits that you claim. If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, you will need the information in Form 1095-A to file.
• Report all your income. You will need to report your income from all of your Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Forms 1099 and any other income – even if you don't receive a statement – when you file your tax return.
• Try IRS e-file. Electronic filing is the best way to file a tax return. It's accurate, safe and easy. If you owe taxes, you have the option to e-file early and pay by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
• Use Direct Deposit. The fastest and safest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
• Review your return. Mistakes slow down your tax refund. If you file a paper return, be sure to check all Social Security numbers. That's one of the most common errors.
• Visit IRS.gov. The website has forms and other info you need to file your tax return. Click on the "Filing" icon for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions and IRS forms and publications. The IRS has many online tools on IRS.gov to help you file and answer your tax questions. The tool gives the same answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone.

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