Some procrastinate when filing their taxes, and others want an early start.
Although state and federal W-2 forms and tax deadlines are still months away, those who want to file early can get their income tax forms in January.
Here's what to expect as you prepare your 2024 taxes:
The first day to file 2024 tax returns in California is Jan. 2, according to the state's Franchise Tax Board.
The due date to file the state tax return and pay any balance is April 15, 2025, according to the tax board. Pay by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest, according to the board.
The state will grant an automatic extension until Oct. 15, 2025, to file the return, but the payment is due by April 15, 2025. No application is required to file an extension.
Tax day is always on April 15, except during special occasions. Last year, in Washington D.C., tax returns were due on April 16 because April 15 fell on the city's Emancipation Day, a legal holiday. The deadline is back to April 15 this year.
The first day to file 2024 tax returns appears to be late January, according to multiple reports. In 2024, returns were accepted starting Jan. 29; the start date for 2025 is expected to be Jan. 27.
By law, employers are required to provide W-2 forms to employees by the end of January. A W-2 form is the IRS document that displays earnings and how much was withheld from a paycheck for income taxes and healthcare premiums.
By Jan. 31, a paper W-2 must be mailed or physically delivered, which means the document could arrive a few days later if sent on the last day.
For electronic delivery, employers must make the document accessible and downloadable by Jan. 31.
A tax refund can be sent via mail or electronically, depending on how it was filed.
For those who e-file and choose direct deposit, refunds take about three weeks to process and deliver.
Paper filers will wait longer to get their money.
If you owe money, it's due on April 15, along with your returns.
The refund status can be checked online.
The amount of a tax return depends on if you paid too much or too little during the previous year.
If you didn't have enough withheld, you will owe the difference.
Refunds are paid when taxpayers have too much tax withheld from their paycheck during the year.
In 2024, taxpayers who owed money on their 2023 returns paid an average of just over $5,200, according to IRS data.