IRS Kicks off 2012 Tax Season with Deadline Extended to April 17

Again this year there is a later date than the traditional April 15 date to file taxes.  Taxpayers will have until Tuesday, April 17 to file their 2011 tax returns and pay any tax due because April 15 falls on a Sunday, and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Monday, April 16.

According to federal law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have two extra days to file this year.

If you will need more time to get your paperwork complete, IRS Form 4868 has to be filed by the end of the day on the 17th. This gives you an automatic six-month extension of time to file. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until October 15 to file their 2011 tax returns.

IMPORTANT NOTE: An Extension of Time to file is not an “Extension of Time to Pay.” The Extension gives you an automatic six months of additional time to get your paperwork together and file that return. But, if you owe more than what you paid with an estimate, you’ll need to pay the total estimated taxes due before April 18, 2012. Otherwise, you will be accumulating penalties and interest on the difference.

If you have questions, or need assistance completing Form 4868, please visit your local PRO-TAX office – click Here for locations. We would be happy to help you file the extension correctly and on-time. To get you started with information about gathering your important documents, please click Here for our Pre-Visit Checklist. You also may call us at 1-800-809-2829.

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