IRS liaison outlines last-day filing tips, mail-by and extension guidance
Loading...
Summary
An IRS stakeholder liaison told BronxNet viewers the April filing deadline remains April 15: mail returns by April 9 under new postal stamping practices, file an extension to gain time to submit forms (extension to Oct. 15 to file, not to pay), and consider online payment plans if you cannot pay immediately.
Yolanda Durant, a stakeholder liaison with the Internal Revenue Service, told BronxNet viewers that taxpayers facing last-minute filing decisions should act now to avoid penalties and delays.
Durant said recent post-office stamping changes mean mailed returns should be sent by April 9 to ensure they receive a timely postmark for the April 15 deadline. She encouraged taxpayers who lack required documents to file for an extension, which extends the deadline to file until Oct. 15 but does not extend the deadline to pay any tax owed.
The IRS liaison recommended electronic filing where possible, saying tax software helps catch common errors and that taxpayers can retrieve missing income records through the IRS transcript service at irs.gov. For low-income filers, she noted Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are available during filing season to help prepare returns for free.
On payments, Durant advised making a good-faith payment or setting up an online installment agreement. For balances under $25,000, individuals can set up a plan directly online and in some cases schedule payments as low as $25 per month. She warned that choosing a paper check or failing to provide direct-deposit information may delay refunds and prompt an IRS letter requesting banking details.
If taxpayers discover an error after filing, Durant said the IRS typically notifies filers by letter and provides options to correct or appeal the agency’s determination. She closed by directing viewers to irs.gov for transcripts, payment options and information on local IRS walk-in offices that may offer face-to-face help.
The IRS liaison’s practical steps — mail early when using the post office, file an extension if documents are missing, consider electronic filing, and set up a payment plan if needed — were presented as ways to reduce late penalties and processing delays.
