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SALT LAKE CITY -- At the stroke of midnight April 19, if your tax returns aren't filed, you'll incur penalties. The Internal Revenue Service says people still have time to do it right.
"You still have time to gather all your material together and submit a timely and accurate tax return," said IRS spokesman Bill Brunson. "The best way to ensure its accuracy is to electronically file that item."
Brunson suggests logging onto the IRS website to check extended hours and to file an extension if you need to.
"This will give them an additional six months to submit the paperwork, not pay the tax," said Brunson. "This would be an extension through Monday, Oct. 17."
You still have time to gather all your material together and submit a timely and accurate tax return. The best way to ensure its accuracy is to electronically file that item.
–Bill Brunson
Filing that extension is free whether you get a refund or owe money. Brunson says over a million Utahns will file a tax return this year.
"Of that number, 894,000 are going to electronically file their tax return," said Brunson. "We are projecting 92,600 will request the extension to file."
This is the trend across the country but you need to submit the request on or before midnight Monday April 18, according to Brunson. However, watch for errors. Brunson said every year people make careless mistakes.
"A common error is just simple math. They will not add or subtract correctly," explained Brunson. "They will not enter the last name of the dependent correctly, or the Social Security number."
Brunson suggests reviewing all necessary documents while filling in those crucial spaces on the tax forms. He also suggests filling in the correct bank accounts numbers to deposit your refund.
"Make sure that you provide to the IRS the correct account number and routing identifier," said Brunson, "so it goes into your checking account."
Brunson also says another common error happens right before you stuff the envelope.
"Make sure that you sign the return, that way the processing won't get stopped and it won't delay a refund," he said.
If you're a married couple filing jointly, both spouses need to sign that return, said Brunson.
The IRS will have extended hours in the Salt Lake Metro area. You can find more information at irs.gov.
E-mail: niyamba@ksl.com
