When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?

You'll have to wait if you are used to filing your annual tax return at the earliest possible date. The Internal Revenue Service has revised its opening date for tax season — pushing it back eight days to Jan. 30, 2013.

The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15, 2013.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 30, 2013. Most taxpayers should be able to file on that date, though some revised forms may not be immediately available.

You can blame the delay on the federal "fiscal cliff" crisis and the new tax bill Congress passed just after Dec. 31. You can find more information in this Forbes article.

Electronic filing season was originally set to start on Jan. 22 this year.

As a result of the delay, nobody will get a refund in January, an H&R Block official told Financial Advisor.

The IRS will not process paper tax returns before the anticipated Jan. 30 opening date. There is no advantage to filing on paper before the opening date, and taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by using e-file with direct deposit, writes Patch IRS Blogger David Stewart.

There are several forms affected by the late legislation that require more extensive programming and testing of IRS systems. The IRS hopes to begin accepting tax returns including these tax forms between late February and into March; a specific date will be announced in the near future.

The key forms that require more extensive programming changes include Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits), Form 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization) and Form 3800 (General Business Credit). A full listing of the forms that won’t be accepted until later is available on www.IRS.gov.

To get you started, here’s a list of some tax preparation help and tax preparers in the Lemont area:

• Lemont Public Library, 50 E. Wendt St.; 630-257-6541; Certified tax preparation counselors with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will be available to assist middle and low-income taxpayers of all ages, especially seniors age 60 and over with their federal and State of IL income tax forms. The free program begins Feb. 11.

• H&R Block, 1212 State St, Lemont; 630-243-9170

• Ronald J. Vaughn, C.P.A., 805 State St., Lemont; 630-243-8100

• , 1201 State St, Lemont;  630-257-2070

• Woodridge Liberty Tax Service, 8280 Janes Ave., Woodridge;   630-427-1040

• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, 7528 Janes Ave., Woodridge; 630-910-3659

• The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Nearest location: Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville; 630-355-3663

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