The IRS has important reminders. Have all your information before filing, file electronically, and choose direct deposit for faster returns. Go to irs.gov online if you need help. Earned income tax credit filers can't get refunds before mid-February. The regular filing and paying-without-penalty deadline is April 18, 2023.

The Internal Revenue Service will begin to accept individual filings on January 23rd. Most taxpayers will need to file returns and pay any balances owed by April 18th to avoid penalties and interest. The IRS also says don't rely on getting your refund by a specific date in case the agency needs to do reviews. The IRS normally issues refunds within 21 days.

A survey by Credit Karma says about 30% of taxpayers will rely on refunds to make ends meet. So, here are some steps to get yours back the fastest possible. One, make sure you file electronically, don't file paper tax forms. Request your refunds be sent to direct deposit, which could save 10 days. Review your returns to make sure you don't set off any red flags with the IRS.

The agency expects over 168 million returns will be filed by this year's deadline on April 18th, three days after the usual April 15th deadline, because of a holiday weekend. If you file electronically and expect a refund, the IRS says you should get a direct deposit within 21 days, barring any issues.

In the event of a pandemic, would you like accommodation or your money back? According to the Toledo Blade, the Ohio Supreme Court will decide this week whether or not 2020 Cedar Point Season pass holders should receive partial refunds due to the park being shut down for two months during the 2020 season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island were forced to shut down in attempt to slow the spread of the virus.  Since the park was shut down for the first two months of its season, Laura Valentine of Mayfield Heights argues that she and other passholders should receive pro-rated compensation for that two-month period. Cedar fair argues that not only was the park unable to open during that time, but they also extended the 2020 pass onto the 2021 season.  Valentine in response says that it's not that the park shut down, it is that the park is keeping the full cost of the passes.

Cheryl Lawson, CPA and Owner of Lawson Tax and Accounting Services says, “You would get the failure to file penalties if you haven’t filed an extension, you will get a failure to pay penalty if you owe money, so those two penalties. And then you will also have interest added on.”

Tax season is here, and there are a lot of questions as residents file the necessary paperwork.