Taxpayers Urged To File Early To Avoid Processing Delays

The Kentucky Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting state individual income tax returns on Monday, January 27, and will begin processing returns the same day.

The deadline for filing returns with both Kentucky and Internal Revenue Service is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

This year, Kentuckians are encouraged to file early to avoid processing delays. The Kentucky Department of Revenue will temporarily pause operations for two weeks, from February 26 to March 14, 2025, so it can transition to a new, integrated tax system called MyTaxes.

Tom Miller, Department of Revenue commissioner, said Kentuckians who anticipate a refund are urged to file their taxes early, so they can receive those payments as soon as possible.

Kentuckians can file individual income tax returns at any point from January 27 through April 15; however, returns and refund payments will not be processed during the two-week pause, February 26 to March 14. Department of Revenue staff will still be answering phone calls from taxpayers during this period, but they will only be able to provide limited assistance until normal operations resume March 14.

The full transition to MyTaxes will take a few years to complete. Business taxpayers will use the new system beginning March 14, 2025. Individual income taxpayers will continue to use the current system for the 2025 tax season. To learn more, visit revenue.ky.gov/Pages/MyTaxes.aspx.

Electronic individual income tax returns typically take four to six weeks to process. Taxpayers may check the status of their state refund by visiting refund.ky.gov. Kentuckians’ federal tax returns will be processed normally and will not be impacted by Kentucky Department of Revenue’s operations pause.

Each year, the Department of Revenue partners with the Internal Revenue Service to operate Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites across the state. At these sites, knowledgeable staff provide free tax filing assistance to eligible individuals and families, as well as Kentucky state government employees.

This service is available to help individuals with an annual income of $67,000 or less or any Kentucky state government employee, regardless of income.

In-person assistance will be offered by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 4 to April 15. If you believe you qualify and would like to take advantage of this service, please schedule an appointment by contacting the nearest regional taxpayer service center.

Taxpayers who have questions or require assistance may submit a general inquiry on the Department of Revenue website at “Get Help” or contact Department of Revenue taxpayer assistance at 502-564-4581. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET.