What is the earliest you can file your taxes?

Answer 1

One view: You really can't even try to file until February 15th. Prior to that date you must make every reasonable effort to obtain a W-2 from your employer, who is required to mail or otherwise deliver your W-2 to you no later than January 31st.

Also, you need any of the other forms (like 1099, from banks, etc), and if you do file with out them, there are additional forms you need to provide so the IRS can find out why whoever was to provide them didn't. Obviously this can delay the processing of your return....and if the amounts you showed don't exactly match what is filed (and employers frequently have some year end changes that will make your last stub in accurate), you would have to file an amended return to correct it...or expect nasty-grams and assessments from the IRS! Certainly no refund will be made until all that is cleared up...so trying to do things other than as the system wants, generally only delays things.

Finally, if your wanting to do so early because you have a large refund coming...especially if that is common for you...you should file a new Form W-4, to change the amount of withholding being done so your not always having too much taken out of your check through the year.

Another view: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/providers/article/0,,id=174255,00.html

I filed my taxes and the money was in my bank account the 3rd week of January. If you are mailing in your taxes the date may be different.