Learn ways to file for a tax extension or complete your taxes to avoid penalty charges from the IRS

April 15 is almost upon us, and so is the tax deadline. However, its not too late to file your tax return or request an extension

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking Santa Clarita news alerts delivered right to your inbox.

While the deadline has been around since the 1950s, it still tends to be a date that creeps up on many.

It is possible to apply for a tax extension for anyone who believes they can’t complete their taxes by the deadline. The IRS website provides the necessary form, here.

For free filing options, visit the the Internal Revenue Service’s website here. Select the button that corresponds to your income and choose from the list of free services you can use to complete all needed forms by Apr. 15.

The IRS has partnered with several companies, allowing tax filers to prepare their tax return online, and for free, using IRS e-file.

There’s even a tax-filing app for your smartphone to help anyone who wants to see how much they might get, or file their return while they’re on the go.

If a taxpayer is required to file for 2013 and misses the deadline without filing for an extension, the IRS may charge a failure-to-pay penalty of half of 1 percent of the unpaid taxes, according to the IRS website.

For those looking for professional help finishing their taxes, Santa Clarita has several options for the last minute scramble including International Tax Network, Inc., Top of the Line Tax, Liberty Tax Service, Julie Sturgeon, CPA, and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

For links to these tax preparers, and other Santa Clarita businesses, visit KHTS’s business directory, here.

Intuit offers a basic deadline of dates of which taxpayers should be aware:

March 31, 2014

• Most uninsured taxpayers need to have health care coverage by this date to avoid possible penalties on their 2014 tax returns. More info

April 15, 2014

• Deadline for filing a 2013 personal, partnership, or estates/trusts tax returns (or extension).
  • The return or extension must be postmarked or transmitted for e-filing by Tuesday, April 15, 2014.
  • To avoid late payment penalties and interest, any additional taxes you owe must be paid by this date even if you filed an extension. 
• Due date for first installment of 2014 estimated tax payments.

April 20, 2014

• Deadline for resubmitting (or mailing) a rejected federal return that was originally e-filed by the April 15 deadline if you did not file an extension.
  • Note: E-filing for 2013 returns actually shuts down on October 20. The April 20 deadline applies to taxpayers who owe the IRS additional tax and want to avoid the late-filing penalty.
• Deadline for resubmitting (or mailing) a rejected extension that was originally e-filed by the April 15 deadline.

June 16, 2014

• Deadline for filing a 2013 personal return for U.S. citizens or residents living and working abroad (including military duty).
• Due date for second installment of 2014 estimated tax payments.

September 15, 2014

• Final deadline to file your 2013 corporation or S-corporation return, if you filed an extension before March 18.
• Due date for third installment of 2014 estimated tax payments.

October 15, 2014

• Final deadline to file your 2013 personal, partnership, or estates/trusts tax return if you filed an extension before April 16.

October 20, 2014

• Final deadline to resubmit a rejected 2013 return that was originally e-filed on or before October 15.
  • If you’re expecting a refund and miss the October 20 e-file cutoff date, you have until April 15, 2017 (October 16, 2017 if you filed an extension) to file a paper return and claim your 2013 refund.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

[node:title]

Article: [node:title]
Source: Santa Clarita News
Author: [node:author]