CARL WATTS & ASSOCIATES
October 07, 2013
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Washington DC
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tel/fax 202 350-9002 |
| Ah, the infamous April 15 tax deadline that everybody knows about and many dread! |
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Below you can find useful information on when, where and how to file your return, some of this may be well known, some - not so much, but all is up-to-date information provided by the IRS.
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Your return is considered filed timely if the envelope is properly addressed and postmarked no later than April 15. If you use a fiscal year (which is a year ending on the last day of any month other than December), your return is due on or before the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of your fiscal year.
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If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is delayed until the next business day.
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If you’re due a refund, the only reason to dread this deadline is just having to gather all your tax documents and information and than filing your return. |
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If you cannot file by the due date of your return, then you can request an extension of time to file. However, an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You will owe interest on any past-due tax and you may be subject to a late-payment penalty if timely payment is not made. |
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| To receive an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return, you have to file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by the due date of your return. |
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If you are a United States citizen or resident alien, who is either living outside of the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside of the United States and Puerto Rico; or in military or naval services on duty outside of the United States and Puerto Rico on the due date of your return, you are allowed an automatic 2-month extension until June 15 to file your return and pay any tax due. If you use this automatic 2-month extension, you must attach a statement to your return explaining which of the two situations qualify you for the extension. |
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| If you file a joint return, both husband and wife must sign the return. If your spouse cannot sign because of a medical condition and requests that you sign the return, sign your spouse's name in the proper place followed by the word "by" (your signature), followed by the word "husband" or "wife." Be sure to also sign in the space provided for your signature. In addition, you must attach a statement that includes the form number of the return you are filing, the tax year, the reason your spouse cannot sign the return, and that your spouse has agreed to your signing for him or her. If your spouse cannot sign the return for any other reason, you may sign it only if you are given a valid power of attorney. |
| If you owe tax, you may pay by check or money order payable to the "United States Treasury." On the front of your check or money order, please include your name, address, taxpayer identification number, daytime phone number, the tax year and type of form you are filing. Enclose your payment with your return. Do not mail cash with your return. |
| The mailing location of tax returns depends on several variables. For federal tax returns, the mailing location depends upon whether you enclose a payment and which tax form you mail. For state returns, each state has its own mailing locations, with these locations varying depending upon the type of return you file and whether you enclose a payment with your return. |
When, Where and How
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| Depending on the state from which you are filing, the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service has four regional offices where you will be able to mail your federal tax return. The offices are located in the Kansas City, MO for the east coast, Atlanta, GA for the south, Austin, TX for the central areas and Fresno, CA for the pacific and mountain areas, with Alaska and Hawaii also using the CA office. For international filing, you can use the Austin, TX office, however non-permanent residents of Guam and US Virgin Islands will use their respective offices in their country. |
| Also, the full address information is provided on the forms you are using to complete your federal tax return. Information is available on the IRS secure website, irs.gov, as well. |
| If your income is $57,000 or less, you can use Free File brand-name software with free tax preparation and free e-filing. It's available only through IRS.gov, where a number of tax software companies make their products available for free. Some also support state tax returns for free. Go to Free File to take advantage of this option. |
| Regardless of income, everyone can use online Fillable Forms, which are an electronic version of the IRS paper forms. This option is best for people who are comfortable preparing their tax returns but want the advantages of fast, secure and free e-filing. Fillable forms do only basic math and do not support state tax returns. |
You can always buy tax preparation software either over-the-counter or online, prepare your own return and press send to e-file. Your return is sent through safe and secure channels, not via e-mail. Prices do vary (as well as quality), so shop around.
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The IRS specifies that you're required to electronically file your return if you meet all three of the following conditions: (1) you use software to prepare your own personal income tax return; (2) your software supports the electronic filing of your return; and (3) you have broadband Internet access. |
| If you don't meet any one of these conditions, you're not required to e-file. |
| If you prepare your return the traditional way - with paper and pencil - you're not required to e-file. |
| If you download forms from the IRS Web site, order them from IRS by phone, or pick them up at your local library and complete them with pencil and paper, you're not subject to the mandate. |
| Our advice of course is to find a tax professional you trust to prepare and e-file your return. Nearly all tax preparers use e-file now and many are now required by law to e-file. But it's still a good idea to tell your tax preparer you want the advantages of e-file — your refund in half the time, or if you owe, more payment options. |
| Starting January 1, 2012, any tax return preparer who anticipates preparing and filing 11 or more Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and 1041 during a calendar year must use IRS e-file (unless the preparer or a particular return is administratively exempt from the e-file requirement or the return is filed by a preparer with an approved hardship waiver). |
| Now that you know the basics of when, where, and how, it’s never too early to gather and sort your tax information and any other useful documentation so you can breathe easier before April 15. |
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