The number of days is dwindling before our completed federal tax forms are due. The deadline this year is next Tuesday, April 17th, which means some Iowans will have an extra two days to put off the taxing task. I.R.S. spokeswoman Diane Fox has some advice for those who usually procrastinate.
“Don’t wait until the last minute as you’re more prone to make mistakes,” Fox says. “Use IRS.gov. There’s a lot of good information that can answer your questions. Use Free File at IRS.gov to prepare and file your taxes for free.” There is a free option for everyone. People who make $57,000 or less can use the Free File software.
People who make more can use Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version of the IRS paper forms. The IRS says around nearly $48,000 Iowa taxpayers are expected to request an extension of time to file their tax return this year.
“If you owe and you can’t pay, don’t panic,” Fox says. “You can go online and request a payment agreement. If you can’t make the deadline, go to IRS.gov/freefile and request an extension. That gives you an extension to file, not an extension to pay.” The federal filing deadline is on April 17th this year due to a holiday in Washington, D.C.