Individual tax season starts January 29

N.D. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus has announced that the 2024 individual income tax season will open on Jan. 29, 2024, coinciding with the date that the IRS will begin to accept and process returns.

“Consistent with past practice, North Dakota will again open its filing season in conjunction with the IRS,” Kroshus said. “Prior to the official start date, I encourage filers to begin organizing and preparing necessary information in advance.”

In 2023, the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner processed approximately 475,000 North Dakota individual income tax returns. Kroshus added that his office is prepared for another busy tax season, with new tax rates for the 2023 tax year also in effect.

“Following the expiration of the income tax credit issued to residents of North Dakota for the 2021 and 2022 tax years, a record-setting tax relief package was passed during the past legislative session, effectively lowering income tax rates across all brackets, including a zero percent first bracket,” said Kroshus. “In addition, it reduced the number of tax brackets from 5 to 3.”

Kroshus advises taxpayers to file electronically and to choose direct deposit or electronic payment to help prevent fraudsters from claiming their refund. Taxpayers should also verify their address and bank account information to avoid errors.

“In 2023, 93 percent of North Dakotan income tax filers submitted their return electronically. We continue to encourage taxpayers to e-file, since it is the fastest and most secure way,” said Kroshus. “Filing electronically can help improve the taxpayer refund process from a security, accuracy and timeliness standpoint.”

There are several free tools and services offered to qualifying North Dakotans. Many North Dakotans are eligible to electronically file their taxes for free, depending on income and age. By answering a few questions online using the N.D. Free File tool at http://www.tax.nd.gov/FreeFile, taxpayers can see if they qualify to file their federal and state returns for free with certain tax software companies. Taxpayers may also utilize free tax preparation sites throughout the state. These sites are run by AARP or the IRS, and most will open in February. Details, location information and contact information to schedule an appointment will soon be available at http://www.tax.nd.gov/FreeTaxPrep.

Taxpayers may also electronically file by purchasing tax preparation software or working with a tax professional.

North Dakota tax booklets and forms can be found on the Office of State Tax Commissioner’s website at http://www.tax.nd.gov/forms. IRS forms can be found at http://www.irs.gov/forms.

Taxpayers can also use the Where’s My Refund? tool found at http://www.tax.nd.gov/refund to track the status of their state refund.

The due date to file and pay 2023 individual income tax returns is Monday, April 15, 2024.

Taxpayers can stay current on North Dakota tax-related matters by visiting the Office of State Tax Commissioner’s website at tax.nd.gov or by connecting with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.