IRS.gov offers last-minute filing tips, resources to help taxpayers before April 15; Saturday hours at 70 locations nationwide
CHICAGO — With the April 15 tax deadline just around the corner, the Internal Revenue Service today again reminds last-minute tax filers that the agency has a variety of free tools and resources available on IRS.gov.
From tax preparation, answers to tax law questions, refund tracking, tax law research to business topics and more, IRS.gov has all the information taxpayers need to file on time or get an easy, automatic six-month extension to file. The IRS also has special Saturday hours available at 70 Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country to help taxpayers.
For most of the nation, the tax deadline is April 15. Taxpayers in declared disaster areas, certain active-duty military members and citizens living abroad automatically get more time to file.
The IRS has already received more than 100 million tax returns, with tens of millions more expected to be filed as the tax deadline approaches. The IRS estimates 19 million taxpayers will file for an automatic extension.
Go paperless
The IRS encourages all taxpayers to file electronically and choose direct deposit to avoid refund delays. Filing on paper can significantly delay a refund. Tax software helps individuals steer clear of mistakes by doing the math. It also guides people through each section of their tax return using a question-and-answer format.
Some taxpayers get automatic extensions
For taxpayers who need an extension of time to file their taxes, there are several options to get an automatic extension through Oct. 15. Although an extension grants extra time to file, it does not extend the obligation to pay taxes due on April 15, 2024. To avoid penalties and late fees, taxpayers who owe should pay either their full tax bill or at least what they can afford to pay by the April 15 deadline.
Special rules offer some taxpayers more time without having to request an extension:
– U.S. citizens and resident aliens who live and work outside of the United States and Puerto Rico get an automatic two-month extension, until June 15, to file their tax returns. However, tax payments are still due April 15 or interest will accrue on the unpaid tax.
– Members of the military on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico also receive an automatic two-month extension to file. Those serving in combat zones have up to 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due. Details are available in Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide.
– When the U.S. president makes a disaster area declaration, the IRS can postpone certain tax deadlines for taxpayers in affected areas. Taxpayers in qualified disaster areas do not need to submit an extension electronically or on paper. Information on the most recent tax relief for disaster situations can be found on the Extension of time to file your tax return page.
Find information on free local tax prep
The IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals, including:
– People who generally make $64,000 or less.
– People with disabilities.
– Limited English-speaking taxpayers.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program also offers free tax help for taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older.
The VITA/TCE Site Locator can help eligible taxpayers find the nearest community-based site staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers. Demand is high for this service, so taxpayers may experience longer wait times for appointments. Taxpayers can use the locator tool to find an available site near them. It’s updated throughout the tax season, so individuals should check back or increase the distance from their location in their search if they don’t see a nearby site listed.
MilTax, Military OneSource’s tax service, offers online software for eligible military members, veterans and their families to electronically file a federal return and up to three state returns for free.
Having trouble paying? IRS has options to help
For those who owe a payment with their tax return, the IRS has a number of payment options.
For taxpayers that are unable to pay in full by the tax deadline, the IRS recommends they should file their tax return and pay what they can, and apply for an online payment plan. By filing by the deadline, taxpayers will avoid failure to file penalties and interest – even if they’re unable to pay. Taxpayers can explore various payments options; they can receive an immediate response of payment plan acceptance or denial without calling or writing to the IRS. Online payment plan options include:
– Short-term payment plan – The total balance owed is less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Additional time of up to 180 days to pay the balance in full.
– Long-term payment plan – The total balance owed is less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Pay in monthly payments for up to 72 months. Payments may be set up using direct debit (automatic bank withdraw) which eliminates the need to send in a payment each month, saving postage costs and reducing the chance of default. For balances between $25,000 and $50,000, direct debit is required.
Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid taxes after April 15, the failure to pay penalty is cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more information about the costs of payment plans on the IRS’ Additional information on payment plans webpage.
Get tax help, day or night
For those needing last-minute help, taxpayers will find filing information for individuals as well as businesses and self-employed on IRS.gov. For last-minute filers looking for free resources, IRS Direct File remains an option as does IRS Free File. Anyone can use IRS Free File to submit an extension of time to file regardless of their income.
IRS.gov is an important resource that can help in a number of areas:
– For answers to tax law questions, taxpayers will find tools like the Interactive Tax Assistant or they can use the Frequently Asked Questions tool to find answers to dozens of topics.
– To see federal tax information, taxpayers can use the Online Account. They’ll find information such as a payoff amount, a balance owed, their payment history and key information from their current year tax return as originally filed. They can also get tax return transcripts.
– Use the Get Transcript tool to view, print or download their tax transcripts after the IRS has processed a return.
– Current and prior year forms, instructions and tax publications can be downloaded and printed anytime.
– Special information is available about tax credits and deductions, some of which can be overlooked. Available to individuals and businesses, credits can reduce the amount of tax due while deductions can reduce the amount of taxable income.
– Get the most up-to-date information about tax refunds using the Where’s My Refund? tool and on the official IRS mobile app, IRS2Go.
– For payment information, Direct Pay is free and allows people to securely pay their taxes directly from their checking or savings account without any fees or registration. They can schedule payments up to 365 days in advance. After submitting a payment through Direct Pay, they’ll receive immediate confirmation. For more payment options, visit irs.gov/payments.
Assistive technology options
At the online Alternative Media Center, taxpayers will find a variety of accessible products like screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and screen magnifying software. These products include tax forms, instructions and publications. Many can be downloaded or viewed online as Section 508 compliant PDF, HTML, eBraille, text and large print.
Plan for 2025: adjust withholding to prevent tax ‘surprises’
Tax filing season is an excellent time for taxpayers to check their withholding to avoid a tax surprise when filing in 2025. Life events like marriage, divorce, having a child or an income change can all impact taxes.
The Tax Withholding Estimator helps people bring the tax they pay closer to what is owed. Employees can assess their income tax, credits, adjustments and deductions, and determine whether they need to change their withholding by submitting a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate to their employer, not the IRS.