Anyone can request an automatic tax-filing extension, but some people get extra time without asking, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year the IRS postponed the usual April 15 deadline for filing individual income tax returns until May 17, 2021. Even so, as is the case every year, many Americans will still need more time to meet their tax-filing obligation.
The IRS has come in cover of the victims of recent Texas winter storms by extending the March 15 and April 15 due dates till June 15 and the detailed announcements as follows;
Victims of this month’s winter storms in Texas will have until June 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.
Following The recent disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the IRS is providing this relief to the entire state of Texas. But taxpayers in other states impacted by these winter storms that receive similar FEMA disaster declarations will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.
Continue readingAs people begin to file their 2020 tax returns, taxpayers are reminded to avoid unethical ghost tax return preparers.
A ghost preparer is someone who doesn’t sign tax returns they prepare. Unscrupulous ghost preparers often print the return and have the taxpayer to sign and mail it to the IRS. For e-filed returns, the ghost will prepare but refuse to digitally sign as the paid preparer.
Continue readingWith filing season opening on Feb. 12, the Internal Revenue Service urged taxpayers to take some simple steps to help ensure they file accurate tax returns and speed their tax refunds to avoid a variety of pandemic-related issues.
Although every year the IRS encourages taxpayers to e-file their returns and use direct deposit to receive refunds, to those taxpayers who have previously not used e-file, the IRS emphasizes using it this year to avoid paper-related processing delays.
Continue readingThe Internal Revenue Service today reminded business taxpayers that their 2019 tax returns and tax payments, as well as their first two 2020 estimated tax payments, are due on Wednesday, July 15.
The July 15 due date generally applies to any tax return or tax payment deadline that was postponed due to COVID-19. In April, the IRS said that this postponement applied to all taxpayers that had a filing or payment deadline falling on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020. No late-filing penalty, late-payment penalty or interest will be due for payments prior to July 15.
Continue readingThe federal income tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15. Taxpayers also have until July 15 to make any federal income tax payments that were originally due on April 15, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount they owe. This extension applies to all taxpayers.
There’s no need to file any additional forms to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Taxpayers expecting a refund should file electronically. Many taxpayers used Free File last year. The benefits of filing electronically include:
It’s almost here…the filing deadline for taxpayers who requested an extension to file their 2018 tax return. This year’s deadline is Tuesday, October 15.
Even though time before the extension deadline is dwindling, there’s still time for taxpayers to file a complete and accurate return. Taxpayers should remember they don’t have to wait until October 15 to file. They can file whenever they are ready.
This week I traveled to Australia to speak at a conference. On my flight from Sydney to Perth, I was pulled aside for additional screening for explosives. The agent passed a wand over my luggage, my shoes and my hands. He then put the wand into a reader before he let me go. I thanked him for doing his job and went on my way.
On my return flight, I was again “selected” for additional screening and went through the process again. I made a point to thank the agent for doing his job.
Many people would feel inconvenienced for being pulled aside for additional screening. However, these people are only doing their job. They are asked to pick travelers at random and check them for explosives. Did I enjoy the process? No . Did I appreciate the delay? No . However, I did appreciate the fact that these people were helping to keep us all safe by looking for potential explosive material. Continue reading
IRS in its recent issue (Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-34), highlighted the importance of electronic filing and how this efile could be a saver with the deadline fast approaching, here it is.
A few taxpayers still use the old-school method of filing their tax returns: on paper. For these people, now is the time to consider filing electronically. With the April tax deadline right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to use IRS e-File.
Here are the top six reasons why taxpayers should file electronically in 2019:
It’s accurate and easy. E-File helps taxpayers avoid mistakes, such as a transposed Social Security number. Taxpayers who e-File receive an acknowledgement from the IRS within minutes, telling them their return has been accepted. If a return is rejected, the acknowledgement will detail why the IRS rejected the tax return. Continue reading
As the April filing deadline approaches, IRS reminds taxpayers that Form 1040 has been redesigned for tax year 2018. The revised form consolidates Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040-EZ into one form that all individual taxpayers will use to file their 2018 federal income tax return.
Forms 1040-A and 1040-EZ are no longer available to file 2018 taxes. Taxpayers who used one of these forms in the past will now file Form 1040. Some forms and publications released in 2017 or early 2018 may still have references to Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ. Taxpayers should disregard these references and refer to the Form 1040 instructions for more information. Continue reading