File online.
That’s the message from the Internal Revenue Service and state tax departments as the midnight deadline approaches today.
IRS spokesman Jim Dupree said taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit will receive their federal refund in 10 days.
“It’s easy — you don’t see the mistakes people would normally make,” Dupree said of the IRS online program that processes taxes for free.
Taxpayers who don’t think they can get their forms completed on time may file for an automatic six-month extension, Dupree said.
But be warned: “That’s an extension of time, not an extension to pay,” he said.
Taxpayers still must send in their tax debt now to avoid paying penalties and accrued interest.
In Maryland, a shortage of temporary employees means that it will take longer this year for taxpayers to receive their refunds, said Christine Feldmann, spokeswoman for the Maryland Department of Taxation. The turnaround time for taxes filed on paper has more than doubled from two weeks to five weeks.
Feldmann said that online filers can get their state refund in three days.
This year, Maryland taxpayers can arrange a three-year payment plan if they cannot pay in a lump sum.
“We understand people are struggling,” she said.
The District’s Office of Tax and Revenue offers a payment plan as well, but taxpayers must arrange to extend the plan beyond two years. The D.C. tax department also has a free online service. Individuals have until 5:30 p.m. to get their D.C. taxes prepared in an office for free.
Virginia taxpayers have an extra two weeks to file their state taxes, because the deadline isn’t until May 1.
The Web is the easiest way to file, said Joel Davison, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Taxation.
Virginia tax officials are using YouTube video ads to encourage taxpayers to use their Web sites to file for free, a process that is estimated to save $75,000 this year and $150,000 next year in the state budget.
Those who pay 90 percent of their Virginia state tax dues can get an automatic extension until Nov. 1 to file the return.
Keith Smith, an associate professor of accountancy at George Washington University, usually files “old school” on paper.
The former accountant recommends using a spreadsheet or a tax-filing system to keep a running tax total throughout the year.
“The problem people have is that they are more intimidated than they need to be,” Smith said.
His advice: “Just relax.”
TAX TIPS
• Have your W-2 forms, mortgage records and receipts from charitable donations handy.
• Make sure your Social Security number is accurate.
• Take a coffee break to double- and triple-check your numbers.
• You can pay online on the Internal Revenue Service Web site with check, money order or direct debit; you can also pay through credit card online at officialpayments.com or on the phone at 800-2-PAY-TAX.
• File a 1040x form within three years to correct any mistake.
• You have three years to file a return if you are expecting a refund.
TAX WEB SITES
Federal: www.irs.gov
Maryland: www.marylandtaxes.com
Virginia: www.tax.virginia.gov
District: otr.cfo.dc.gov/otr/site/default.asp
