A simple W-2 return with no dependents or itemized deductions is usually done quite quickly (sometimes an hour or less). A return with self-employment income, rental property, multiple income sources, and/or itemized deductions can take several hours to a full day, depending on how organized your records are and how many of those factors apply.
That’s a wide range, and the honest answer is that it depends on your specific situation. Here’s what actually drives the time your return takes.
Which Types of Returns Take More Time?
If you have a W-2, don’t itemize, and have no dependents, your return is usually quick. Returns that take longer typically involve one or more of the following:
- Self-employment income
- Rental property
- Multiple income sources
- Investment income
- Partnership or S-corp income
- Itemized expenses
- Foreign income
- Multiple dependents
- Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or other tax credits
- Unique credits, such as those for energy-efficient home improvements
Many taxpayers have a combination of these, which is part of why “how long will my taxes take” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s a lot like asking a contractor how long a project will take without showing them the plans. Once your CPA sees your actual documents, they’ll have a much better sense of the timeline.
How to Get Your Return Processed Faster
A few habits make a real difference in how quickly your return gets done.
- Organize your documents ahead of time. Your preparer can’t work with information you haven’t handed over, and a shoebox of receipts takes far longer to process than an organized spreadsheet.
- Start the process early. CPAs get busier as the deadline approaches, so getting your documents in early means less waiting and more time for your preparer to actually look for deductions.
- Respond to requests for more information quickly. If your preparer asks a follow-up question, it usually means something was missing or didn’t look right. A fast response keeps your return moving instead of sitting in a pile.
When an Extension Makes Sense
If your return is complex or you’re still waiting on a document, filing an extension can be the right move. An extension gives individual filers until October 15 to file, though any tax owed is still due by the original April deadline, and interest can accrue on unpaid balances in the meantime. Partnerships and S-corporations run on a different calendar, with extended returns typically due by mid-September.
An extension buys you time to file correctly, but it doesn’t buy you time to pay. If you’re not sure whether an extension makes sense for your situation, or how much you should estimate and pay upfront, that’s exactly the kind of question to bring to a free consultation.
Does E-Filing Make the Process Faster?
E-filing speeds up the IRS side of the process, since electronically filed returns are processed and refunds are issued faster than paper returns. It doesn’t change how long it takes your CPA to prepare the return itself. The time savings come from having your documents organized and your preparer starting early, not from the filing method alone.
Curious How Long Your Return Will Take?
Call the Meriden office at 203-634-7549 or fill out the contact form to get a straight answer based on your actual situation, not a guess.