7 Tips for Meeting the Tax Deadline

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The information in this article is up to date for tax year 2023 (returns filed in 2024).

Some things require planning, and that’s especially true when it comes to filing your taxes! Waiting until the last-minute can make simple tasks more overwhelming and stressful.  You’re either scrambling to find the documents you need, can’t remember the password for your tax software, or something else goes wrong.  If this is how tax time usually unfolds for you, here are some tips to help you file ez-ily, accurately, and stress-free before the tax deadline.

File by April 15^th or request an extension

The last day to file your 2023 tax return is April 15^th.  If you know you cannot meet the tax deadline, do yourself a favor and request an extension. Simply fill out Form 4868 and submit it to the IRS by April 15^th. This will give you an extra 6 months, or until October 15^th to e-file.  Quick heads up, an extension does not buy you more time to pay your balance due.  It only gives you extra time to file. But why wait? You can use ezTaxReturn to do your taxes fast and ez right now.

Organize your tax documents

Digging through piles of paperwork isn’t fun, but getting organized is a crucial part of doing your taxes. Misplaced receipts can mean missed deductions and possibly a smaller refund or larger tax bill. Gathering everything you need will save you time and make it easier to file an accurate return.  Generally, you’ll need the Social Security numbers and date of birth for you, your spouse and dependents, your income statements, and receipts for expenses.  Go through our Tax Prep Checklist to see which documents apply to you, and make sure you have the information handy.

E-filing helps you file your taxes faster

With the tax deadline quickly approaching, the fastest way to get your tax return to the IRS is to e-file.  By doing your taxes online, you can file anytime from anywhere – no appointment necessary.  DIY tax software like ezTaxReturn provides step-by-step guidance from start to finish! Just answer basic questions and we’ll do the calculations and complete the proper paperwork. Even if you don’t know anything about taxes, you can still file with confidence. You’re guaranteed to get your biggest possible refund and 100% accurate results. Best of all, you may qualify for a FREE simple federal return. 

Once the IRS accepts your return, you’ll receive an email confirmation from your tax software provider. The IRS allows you to track your tax refund using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. For mobile users, use the IRS2Go App provided by the IRS. You can check the status of your income tax refund 24 hours after e-filing. If you filed a paper return, please allow 4 weeks before checking your status.

Start as soon as possible

Many people wait until the last possible minute to do their taxes, but there are good reasons to stop procrastinating.  For starters, you may wait too long and accidentally run out of time.  If you owe the IRS and miss the filing deadline, you’ll be hit with costly penalties and interest.  Taxpayers who experienced major life changes in 2023 may have a trickier tax situation than in previous years.  As a result, you may underestimate the amount of time it takes to complete your return.  Plus, there’s always the possibility that something will come up and derail your plans.  So don’t delay, file today!

Double check your return

Mistakes on your tax return can cause you to miss out on deductions, slow down processing and delay your refund.  Always double check your information to ensure everything is correct before you e-file.  Pay special attention to names, social security numbers and bank account numbers.  Using tax software like ezTaxReturn can help you choose the correct filing status, minimize math mistakes, and figure out which tax credits and tax deductions you’re eligible for.  So, you get your biggest possible refund or at least owe as little as possible.

Take advantage of FREE customer service

If you have a question or need assistance, FREE customer support is available in English and Spanish. We’ve helped millions of people successfully e-file their tax online and we can help you too.  You can get the answers you need by phone, email, or searching our FAQs.

Owe taxes, but can’t pay? File anyway

Although most people get a refund at tax time, not everyone does.  If you owe the IRS and can’t afford to pay by the tax deadline, it is best to file anyway.  This will help you avoid the failure-to-file penalty which is 5% of your unpaid taxes per month. The penalty will not be more than 25% of your taxes owed.  The penalty is determined by how late you file your taxes and how much taxes you owe at the time of the original payment (not the extension) due date. If you don’t have taxes withheld from your income throughout the year, then you can make quarterly tax payments to avoid a large tax bill. You may owe a late-payment penalty of 0.5% of your remaining balance each month, up to 25% and any additional interest.

You can make a payment for any taxes you owe through IRS Direct Pay. Want to pay your balance over time? Apply for an IRS payment plan.

File your taxes fast, ez and stress-free today!

The articles and content published on this blog are provided for informational purposes only. The information presented is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, legal, financial, or professional advice. Readers are advised to seek appropriate professional guidance and conduct their own due diligence before making any decisions based on the information provided.