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<p>HARRISBURG &#8212; Pennsylvania&#8217;s tax filing season opened Monday and Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell is reminding residents they can electronically file their personal income tax returns.</p><p>The filing deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is April 17.</p><p>Tax returns that are filed electronically are processed faster, leading to taxpayers receiving their refunds sooner. Pennsylvanians can get a jump-start on filing their state taxes by using the following paper-less e-filing options:</p><p><strong>Padirectfile</strong> &#8212; a state-only personal income tax filing system, is available through the Department of Revenue&#8217;s website. Click here for more information.</p><p><strong>E-filing for Free</strong> &#8212; Free e-file options are available to file state and federal returns using software from a reputable vendor. Some vendors impose income limits for free services. Information is available on the department&#8217;s website, www.revenue.pa.gov.</p><p><strong></strong><strong>E-filing for a Fee</strong> &#8212; Paid tax preparers and commercial tax preparation software providers that offer e-filing for a fee may begin processing returns. E-filing offers advantages not available to taxpayers filing by paper, including error-reducing automatic calculators, instant confirmation of successful filing, faster refund processing and direct deposit options.</p><p><strong>April 17 Deadline</strong> &#8212; All taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2017 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Tuesday, April 17. The deadline is extended this year due to Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, D.C., observed on Monday, April 16, which pushes the federal and state filing deadlines to April 17.</p><p>Pennsylvanians who use tax preparation software are reminded that the Internal Revenue Service will not open its tax filing season until Jan. 29. As a result, those using tax preparation software to file their federal and state returns should know that their state returns will not be processed until the IRS opens its filing season.</p><p><strong>Avoid Filing Errors</strong> &#8212; Taxpayers are reminded to provide their complete Social Security numbers when filing a return to avoid a delay in processing a return and refund. The department protects the confidentiality of the information. When filing a joint return with a spouse, the Social Security numbers of both individuals should be included.</p><p><strong>Taxpayer Service and </strong><strong>Assistance</strong> &#8212; Personal income tax assistance is available through the department&#8217;s Online Customer Service Center and by calling 717-787-8201 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.</p><p>Taxpayers may also visit a Revenue district office, listed in the government pages of local phone directories, for basic state personal income tax filing assistance. Assistance at district offices is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and taxpayers are encouraged to bring their Social Security cards with them to facilitate tax filing.</p><p>Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by visiting the department&#8217;s website and selecting the Where&#8217;s My Personal Income Tax Refund? link on the department&#8217;s homepage; or by call 1-888-PATAXES to find out the status of your refund. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their social security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.</p><p>Free tax forms and instructions are available at www.revenue.pa.gov.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Staff and wire reports</p></bylineMeta></div>

Pennsylvania tax filing season opens for tax year 2017