IRS Pushes Tax Season Opening to Jan. 30th
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 9, 2013
Money matters as a political fight continues to show it's real world consequences. Arkansans among the millions of Americans on hold as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) pushes back the filing date for income taxes, dealing a tough blow to people who bank on getting their money in January.
Because of the delay, Jim Williams tax preparation business, Arkansas Tax Select Services, is unusually empty.
"Typically our offices are full of individuals wanting advice," Williams says.
He says he was preparing for the typical early tax rush when he received an alert from the IRS saying tax season will open eight days later than previously announced.
"The frustration that I feel, that I think most of the American tax payers feel is palatable, I mean, I have to hold my tongue," he says.
Williams contends, he's not upset with the IRS, but members of the 112th Congress.
In a release, the IRS stated it needs more time to update its system to accommodate changes to tax laws made in the deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, two days after the deadline.
"You're talking about 120 million people this potentially affects," he says.
Williams says the damage is already done, as most of his clients bank on getting their refunds as soon as possible.
"They've paid for things and look forward to other expenses such as buying another car, a new car payment, Christmas debt that's a big one and medical bills that are due," he says.
This year, Williams realizes those it could come, later than ever before.
The start of tax season has been pushed back, but so far filing deadline is still April 15th, you only have about two and a half months to get your taxes done.
Filing season starts January 30th, but tax preparers are still encouraging people to come early to get their paperwork done.
Because of the delay, Jim Williams tax preparation business, Arkansas Tax Select Services, is unusually empty.
"Typically our offices are full of individuals wanting advice," Williams says.
He says he was preparing for the typical early tax rush when he received an alert from the IRS saying tax season will open eight days later than previously announced.
"The frustration that I feel, that I think most of the American tax payers feel is palatable, I mean, I have to hold my tongue," he says.
Williams contends, he's not upset with the IRS, but members of the 112th Congress.
In a release, the IRS stated it needs more time to update its system to accommodate changes to tax laws made in the deal to avoid the fiscal cliff, two days after the deadline.
"You're talking about 120 million people this potentially affects," he says.
Williams says the damage is already done, as most of his clients bank on getting their refunds as soon as possible.
"They've paid for things and look forward to other expenses such as buying another car, a new car payment, Christmas debt that's a big one and medical bills that are due," he says.
This year, Williams realizes those it could come, later than ever before.
The start of tax season has been pushed back, but so far filing deadline is still April 15th, you only have about two and a half months to get your taxes done.
Filing season starts January 30th, but tax preparers are still encouraging people to come early to get their paperwork done.
