When can you start filing income taxes?

Technically, a consumer can start preparing to file his income taxes as early as the first of January. This can be done if the individual has his final paystub for the prior tax year along with any additional documents that are necessary to his return.

Although the taxes can be prepared and even filed in early January, the IRS does not start processing income tax returns until a specific date every year. A taxpayer may also have to wait until particular forms are available for any deductions or credits, such as education credits, before he can finish filing his return.