(Tax filing starts Friday)...Tax Season normally begins alier in the year.

This year the IRS had to update its programming and test its system to factor in the second Economic Impact Payments and other tax laws changes. The IRS says the changes are complex and take time to help ensure proper processing of tax returns and refunds as well as coordination with tax software industry, resulting in the February 12 start date. The IRS said they must ensure systems are prepared to properly process and check tax returns to verify the proper amount of EIP's ar credited on taxpayer accounts, and provid remaining funds to eligible taxpayers. Normally tax season begins in January, but this is not the first time it was delayed until February.