Tax returns are due April 17. Are you ready?
Waiting until the last minute to finish your 2012 tax return? Well luckily we all received a couple of extra days to get the math correct, stamped and posted marked by midnight Tues. April, 17th. Why the extra two days? First, the traditional day to have your tax return postmarked is April 15th, which fell on a Sunday, so the post offices were closed. Second, Monday, April 16th, is Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, D.C. that recognizes the freeing of slaves
in the district.
Need help with your tax return? Did you know that the IRS offers free tax return preparation? “The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. The TCE Program offers free tax help for all with priority assistance to people who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement issues unique to seniors.” http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html.
Two extra days still not enough time to properly prepare your 2012 tax returns? If you are not able to file your federal individual income tax return by April 17th, you may be able to get an automatic 6-month tax extension. To receive an extension, you must file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return by April 17th. Form 4868 is available for download from the IRS website or may be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). You can also obtain the form at your local IRS office.
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Author bio: Mark Lister writes about saving money around the home.
