5 things to know as filing season opens

This is an excerpt from the Personal Finance team’s weekly Twitter Space, “This week, your wallet.” Check out the latest episode here, and tune in every Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

Tax season kicked off Jan. 23. The IRS expects taxpayers to file more than 168 million returns, most before the April 18 deadline.

Here are some key things to know before filing, according to CNBC’s Sharon Epperson, senior personal finance correspondent, and Kate Dore, a personal finance reporter.

The IRS Free File program offers free, guided tax preparation online. The program, delivered via a public-private partnership, is available to taxpayers with an annual adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less.

Free File is available to 70% of taxpayers, but few use it — and they may inadvertently pay to file a return.

The IRS also offers Fillable Forms, which are electronic federal tax forms you can fill out and file online for free. It’s essentially a pencil-and-paper option for do-it-yourselfers.

You may also be eligible for free tax help at a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center, generally available to people who make $60,000 or less, people with disabilities or those with limited English. Those 60 years and older can also get help via Tax Counseling for the Elderly.

You can locate a nearby VITA or TCE site on the IRS website.

In most cases, you should file as soon as possible — to get a faster refund and reduce the odds of a fraudster claiming a refund in your name via identity theft.

However, you need all the relevant tax forms to file, and they may not all be available yet. You can use last year’s tax return to get a sense of what forms you may need. They may be mailed to you or available online. (Aside from tax forms, be sure to have receipts handy for relevant tax deductions and credits.)

If you owe a tax bill — and are concerned you don’t have the money to pay right now — you can delay submitting a return, generally up to April 18. At that point, file a return and pay at least a portion of your bill to reduce penalties.

To avoid delays, file an electronic, error-free tax return with direct deposit for payments. Don’t send a paper return or ask for a refund check.

Double check your return for key details and basic mistakes such as typos in your name, address, date of birth, banking details and Social Security number. Mistakes can delay refunds.

The IRS has warned that tax refunds may be smaller this year. Pandemic-era tax relief — like enhancements to the child tax credit, child and dependent care credit, and earned income tax credit — are no longer available.