Tax season opens Jan. 23

The IRS will begin accepting 2016 tax returns on Jan. 23, and this year's deadline is April 18 - not 15 - because the deadline arrives on a weekend, and is followed by the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C.

Expect delays in your 2017 refund - due to holidays for Presidents Day on Feb. 20 and processing times for the federal government and banks. The IRS, for example, instituted some antifraud measures that may delay millions of refunds until Feb. 27, more than a month after tax-filing season opens, the agency said.

If you're checking for an estimated refund date, you can use the agency's online 'Where's My Refund?” tool - at IRS.gov/refunds - any time after Feb. 15.

Anyone who claims the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit likely will have their refund held until at least Feb. 15.

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said taxpayers who file electronically with their own tax software need to have last year's return handy.

'You may be asked to enter your 2015 adjusted gross income,” he said. 'This helps verify your identity before you e-file.”

Taxpayers who can't find an answer on IRS.gov can call the IRS at (800) 829-1040.

Taxpayers who can't resolve their issue online or by phone can schedule an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Use the 'contact your local office” tool on IRS.gov to find the closest office or call 844-545-5640.