Why do people file prior to the start of tax season?

[Stephie21]

I’m just curious why people file their taxes prior to the start of tax season, this year 1/28. If you file 1/14 IRS still doesn’t start processing until 1/28. I’ve seen people post on here with their processing date from their transcript and it’s the same as mine, which I filed 2/1.
This isn’t meant to be an ugly post, I’m seriously just curious why.

[Jimzzz]

I just file when I get My W-2 and it happens to be before the tax season starts. I also tend to get mine before others I know

[Ash]

I do it out of convenience. We always get our W-2’s within the first or second week at the latest from our jobs and I know if I wait until opening, I’ll probably forget until the last min. I have done that before. It’s just easier to get it over and done with and not worry or stress that it gets forgotten.

[TATOOD]

A few reasons for me. Fraud is a biggie as the world is full of people who want my money. Ive historically filed around mid January and have always recieved my refunds right after season opens. I’ve never seen a third bar on WMR because I’ve had the money in the bank and didnt need to keep looking. I’m a Navy Federal Credit Union member and can see the deposit pending a day before. This year however I’ve been thrown into the PATH pit over 75.00 and it’s been a whole different story. Everything is up in the air and nothing is as it was the last few years.

[redacted B]

For me it was convenience. Just to get it done and over with. I work 3rd shift 7 days a week am a single dad. Time is hectic and just something I don’t have. Lol

[Ally!]

I filed on the 1.23. And acccepted same day. Honestly, I really needed the money and wanted to get a head start, but that is not working out as planned😬 Next year, I’m just sending it in on the opening day.

I heard some people filing as early as 1.8.19. I really don’t know if it helps.

[Tracy]

I dont file early but a good guess for me is for the refund advance for people who really need it at the time?

[KLH]

We file early to get it out of the way cuz we are Military and tend to have stuff happen or orders come in & would forget. This year was no exception – we moved cross country in mid-January.

Filed 22Jan, accepted 23Jan, and had one bar on the tracker for a week then it became the PATH message. As of 9pm today (13th) still showing it, too. Didn’t get a refund last year so this whole delay thing is new to me. I’m reading they release 15Feb……is that right for us early filers too or is it all the same for everyone?

[Kimberly]

another reason I file early is because I don’t want some fraudster to file before me (hasn’t happened to me yet and hope nobody ever tries that with my taxes) so I usually file when I get my w2.

[Missy]

A lot of reasons; some hope to be one of the first processed and get it soon, some don’t realize they aren’t being processed yet, some want to file before the other parent (doesn’t really matter any more though), some just have all of their info and figure why not. But I do know year after year a lot of those super early filers have plenty of delays. I am a former IRS employee and my sibling started working there in the 90s.

[Stephie21]

So alot of people do it because of identity theft. Makes since, I seriously was just curious and this answers the question for me. Thanks for your replies

[Kimberly]

I filed because I figure I should get it done and over with ( I don’t have the path just a w2). Every year I have gotten it within 10 days after processing and have been in test batches without any issues. This year is the only year that’s been different.

[Liam]

I do it to get it out of the way. One less thing I have to do. In the past, I have forgotten, and had to rush to get them done by 04/15

[Dennis]

I file early, on the 10th of this year specifically because I have gone through identity theft.

[Jenn]

I am with SunniDaze, I file early to prevent identity theft.

[sean]

@stephanie2 same here

[Jaime]

Some people try to get in the test batch maybe, its prior to opening of tax season when accepts returns

[SunniDaze]

@Stephie21 My Tax Payer Advocate suggested I file early to help avoid an identity theft issue that I have had before with both myself and my dependent. Usually the IRS will accept it before the official start date.

[Author]

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