ILLINOIS — The Illinois Department of Revenue (“IDOR”) will begin accepting 2017 state individual income tax returns on Monday, January 29th, the same date that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) begins accepting federal individual income tax returns.

IDOR is reminding taxpayers that filing tax returns electronically and requesting direct deposit into a checking or savings account is still the fastest, most secure way to receive a refund.

IDOR begins this tax season with a continued focus on protecting taxpayers and state government against fraud.

As fraud prevention measures continue, IDOR anticipates direct deposit refunds will be issued four weeks from the time an error-free electronically-filed return was submitted.

MyTax Illinois, IDOR’s free online account management program will begin accepting Individual Income Tax returns on January 29th.

Taxpayers can file their Form IL-1040 for free using MyTax Illinois.  Individuals may also utilize MyTax Illinois to make payments, check the status of their Illinois Individual Income Tax refund using Where’s My Refund?, and look up their IL-PIN, estimated tax payments, and 1099-G amounts.

For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules, and instructions for the 2017 tax year, please visit IDOR’s website at: tax.illinois.gov.