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BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Revenue and the IRS will begin accepting 2019 individual income tax returns Jan. 27.

Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns electronically through Louisiana File Online, the state’s free web portal for individual tax filers. Louisiana File Online allows taxpayers to:

• File returns and pay taxes electronically
• Check the status of individual income tax refunds
• Amend current and prior-year tax returns
• Request a filing extension

On that day, taxpayers can also submit returns to the state through commercially available tax preparation software; or they can download paper tax forms from the LDR website at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms. Updated printed forms will not be available before Jan. 27.

2019 Louisiana Individual Income Tax returns and payments are due May 15, 2020.

LDR has implemented enhanced security measures to protect Louisiana taxpayers from identity theft and other types of tax fraud. If returns do not trigger any fraud indicators, taxpayers due refunds can expect them within 45 days of the filing date if they file electronically and within 14 weeks if they file paper returns.

Taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with LDR, including name, address and telephone number. If you have moved or changed your name since your last tax filing, update your contact information at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/AddressChange.