Tax season officially under way

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Tax season is officially under way. The IRS opened the filing season on January 30.

Kansas City resident Kelli Lichtenauer filed her taxes Sunday with the help of a professional.

She said it gives her peace of mind.

“The numbers don't make sense to me, I don't understand why certain things go where they do, so I figured it to would be best to leave it to somebody who knows what they're doing and enjoys their work,” Lichtenauer said.

For $75, Aimee Sanita, with Circle Tax and Accounting, did the work.

Sanita said if you filed today, you are probably going to get your refund in mid February. If you wait until April 15, you are looking at around mid to late May.

“Technically, the IRS can hold your refund up to 12 weeks without having to give you any additional money. Once they're past the 12 week mark, they are suppose to start paying you interest," Sanita said.

Sanita said this year, there are a couple snags in the system.

“One of the big ones I've had clients kind of upset about is education credits, so people who have college students, they can't file until mid February, yet they all need their stuff now because they are doing the FAFSA forms and trying to get financial aid for their kids," she said.

Sanita said there has also been an inconvenience for small business owners.

“The depreciation schedule is being held up. So there are just some forms that we won't be able to file until mid February to early March.”

This year, households earning $40,000 to $50,000 will pay about $579.00 more to social security, according to the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research group in Washington, D.C.

Sanita said if you do your own taxes, make sure to check the IRS website for a list of items you can and can’t deduct.

For additional information visit http://www.irs.gov/