Tax Deadline on April 15th is Creeping up fast

 

Still Need to File? Last-Minute Tax Tips and Helpful Resources

Heads up, folks! The tax deadline on April 15th is creeping up fast, and if you’re still scrambling to get your paperwork in order, don’t panic. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants you to know they’ve got your back with a bunch of free tools and resources. Their “Let Us Help You” page over at IRS.gov is a great place to start.

Seriously, IRS.gov is like a one-stop shop. Whether you’re wondering about your refund status, need some tax prep guidance, have burning tax questions, or just want to dig into the nitty-gritty of tax law, they’ve got it all. Plus, if you know you won’t make the deadline, you can easily snag an automatic six-month extension right there. Pretty handy, right?

Need a Little Filing Help?

For those of you in a last-minute dash to file, the IRS website has specific info for individuals, as well as for those who are self-employed or running a business.

And for anyone looking for free ways to file, IRS Direct File is still on the table for those who qualify. IRS Free File is another solid option. What’s even better is that anyone, no matter their income, can use IRS Free File to request an extension. Talk about a lifesaver!

What’s the Deal with Direct File?

Think of IRS Direct File as filing your taxes straight to the source – the IRS. It’s a free, quick, and straightforward online service. Right now, it’s available to an estimated 32 million eligible taxpayers in 25 states.

Here’s the list of states where you can use it: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

You can use Direct File on your phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop. Not sure if you qualify? They’ve got an eligibility checker to help you out. You can also find more details in their Direct File fact sheet.

The system basically walks you through everything step-by-step, asking simple questions to prepare your federal tax return. And if you also need to file state taxes, the system will guide you through that too (if applicable). Plus, if you get stuck, live chat help is available.

Good news: IRS Direct File sticks around until October 15, 2025. So, even if you can’t file by April 15th, you can still use it – just make sure to request an extension by the original deadline.

Cool New Stuff in Direct File

The latest version of IRS Direct File has some neat features designed to speed things up and cut down on errors. Besides pulling in info from your W-2 and your IRS Online Account, you can now also import data from:

• Form 1099-INT: That’s the form that shows the interest you earned from banks and other financial places.
• Form 1095-A: This one’s for folks who got their health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Missing forms can really mess up your return and even get it rejected. Direct File will actually let you know if you have a 1095-A, which helps you file accurately. You can even view your 1095-A right in your IRS Online Account.

Tons of Help on IRS.gov

Seriously, IRS.gov is packed with useful stuff:

• Got a tax question bugging you? Check out the Interactive Tax Assistant. Just pick a topic and answer some basic questions to get your answer.
• Want to see your tax info? Your IRS Online Account is the place to go. You can see if you owe anything, check your payment history, and find key info from your past returns. You can even grab your IP PIN and get transcripts and other tax documents.
• Need a transcript of your return? The Get Transcript tool lets you view, print, or download it after the IRS has processed it.
• You can download and print current and past years’ forms, instructions, and publications whenever you need them.
• Want to know how to save some money? They’ve got special info on tax credits and deductions for both individuals and businesses. Credits can lower your tax bill, while deductions reduce your taxable income.
• Keep tabs on your refund with the Where’s My Refund? tool. It’s super handy.
• Paying your taxes is easier than ever with Direct Pay. It’s free and secure, letting you pay directly from your bank account without any fees or signing up. You can even schedule payments way in advance and get instant confirmation.
• Tax season is a good time to think about your withholding for next year. Use the Tax Withholding Estimator to help make sure you’re not paying too much or too little. Big life changes like marriage, divorce, a new baby, or a change in income can all affect your taxes.
• If you’re in the military, they’ve got specific tax info for you, your family, and veterans, including free services if you qualify.
• Need some in-person help? IRS-certified volunteers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax prep to eligible folks. If you make $67,000 or less, have a disability, are 60 or older, or need help with your language, these volunteers are there for you.
• For those who use assistive technology, the online Alternative Media Center has all sorts of accessible products like tax forms and instructions in formats like Braille and screen reader compatible files.

Sometimes You Get Extra Time Automatically

Good news for some folks – you might get an automatic extension without even asking:

• U.S. citizens and resident aliens living and working outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico get an automatic two-month extension, until June 16th, to file. Just remember, your tax payment is still due on April 15th, or you’ll accrue interest.
• Military members on duty outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico also get an automatic two-month filing extension. Those serving in combat zones get even longer – at least 180 days after leaving the combat zone to file and pay. Check out Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide for all the details.
• If there’s a presidential disaster declaration, the IRS can push back certain tax deadlines for people in the affected areas. You usually don’t need to request an extension in these cases. You can find the latest info on tax relief for disaster situations on the “Get an extension to file your tax return” page.

If you can’t file by April 15th and don’t fall into one of these automatic extension categories, you can still request an extension. Just keep in mind that an extension to file isn’t an extension to pay. You should still pay what you estimate you owe by the deadline.

Having Trouble Paying? The IRS Can Help

If you owe taxes and need to make a payment with your return, the IRS has a few payment options.

And if you can’t pay the full amount by the deadline, don’t ignore it! The IRS offers online payment plans. They recommend filing your return and paying what you can to avoid extra interest and penalties.

You can explore the different payment plan options online and get an immediate answer on whether your application was approved. Here are a couple of options:

• Short-term payment plan: If you owe less than $100,000 (including tax, penalties, and interest), you might get up to 180 extra days to pay it off.
• Long-term payment plan: They’ve made it easier to get on a long-term plan if you owe less than $50,000. You could have up to 10 years to pay, and you can even set up automatic payments from your bank account, which saves on postage and lowers the chance of missing a payment. Just remember that you’ll still accrue interest and penalties while you’re paying it off.

Even though interest and late-payment penalties will still apply to any unpaid taxes after April 15th, the penalty for not paying is cut in half while you’re on an installment agreement. You can find more info on the About Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request page on IRS.gov.