Illinois Department of Revenue Tax Season

The 2024 tax season is quickly approaching, and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced today it will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax returns on Jan. 29, the same date the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) begins accepting federal income tax returns.

“We encourage taxpayers to file electronically as early as possible as this will speed processing. If they are due money back, they should choose direct deposit as that ensures the fastest issuance of refunds,” IDOR Director David Harris said. “MyTax Illinois, our free online program, allows taxpayers to file returns with or without an account, operates with a simple question and answer format, and works to reduce errors by using automated calculations and prepopulated information. Individuals ay also choose to file using tax-prep software, a tax professional, or the paper Form IL-1040.”

In addition to free filing of Form IL-1040 through MyTax Illinois, individuals may also utilize the site to make payments, respond to department inquiries, and check the status of their refunds using Where’s My Refund?. Taxpayers may also look up IL-PINs, amounts of any estimated tax ayments made, and when necessary, amounts reported on Form 1099-G with MyTax Illinois. If a taxpayer electronically files an error-free return, they should receive a direct deposit refund in approximately four weeks.

In 2023, IDOR received a total of nearly 6.2 million IL-1040 returns. Of those returns received, close to 5.6 million were filed electronically, or 90.3%. The tax filing deadline is Monday, Apr. 15, 2024.

“Depending on circumstances, taxpayers may be able to reduce the amount of taxes owed through tax credits,” explained Harris. “Some popular tax credits include the Illinois K-12 Education Expense Credit, and the Property Tax Credit, and the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).”