Will the IRS extend the tax deadline in 2022?

Tax day, 18 April, is approaching quickly and after taxpayers have been offered an automatic extension the last two years, many are wondering if another may be coming.

Last year the tax deadline was extended because of the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The ARP made several last minute changes to the US tax code and the IRS needed some times to adjust their operations. In 2020, the deadline was pushed back because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic that the country was experiencing in March of that year.

To date, no extension has been announced and none are expected as there are not significant changes to the tax code or other disruptions that require a nationwide extension. 

Which states have had their tax filing deadline extended?

While no national extension has been announced at the federal level, the IRS has identified various states and counties where the deadline was postponed because of a severe natural disaster.

After Kentucky was hit by a wave of tornadoes, the IRS announced that households and businesses in various counties (Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Meade, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Shelby, Spencer, Taylor, Todd, and Warren) would have until 16 May to submit their return.

For those who were victims of the of wildfires that began on December 30, 2021 in Colorado also have until 16 May to submit their return. The same goes for residents of Decatur and Dyer countries in Tennessee.

How long should it take for my refund to be processed?

The IRS has reported that typically if a person files electronically and provides bank account information for direct deposit they should see their refund within twenty-one days. The IRS offers a free tool called Where's My Refund for taxpayers to check the status of their refund. Information on the status is typically made available within twenty-four of the refund being submitted.