IRS Tax Day 2018 Almost Here: Last Minute Filing Tips

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Many Maryland taxpayers, along with millions of other Americans, are just now submitting their tax returns for the 2018 tax season and officials have tips to ease the hassle for last-minute filers. Taxpayers have an extra day to buckle down, compile and submit their tax returns this weekend; the tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 17 because April 15 falls on a weekend and Monday is a holiday in the District of Columbia.

Even with an extra two days, the IRS urges taxpayers to avoid waiting until the last minute to file their taxes. And while taxpayers who need more time to sort out their taxes can file for an extension on their tax return, that doesn't give you more time to pay any taxes owed. April 17 is still the deadline for all taxes you owe the government.

On Friday the Internal Revenue Service said that nearly 40 million taxpayers had yet to file their tax returns. Through April 6, the IRS has processed more than 101 million tax returns and issued more than 79.1 million tax refunds totaling $226.6 billion. The average refund to date is $2,864, the agency said.

• The IRS expects to receive about 14.9 million individual income tax returns for the week ending April 13, with about 13.1 million filed electronically.
• On top of those 14.9 million tax returns, the IRS expects to receive another 17 million tax returns the following week.
• Requests for extension are anticipated to exceed 11.6 million by next week, with the vast majority of those Forms 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, being filed electronically. Overall, this year, the IRS expects to receive more than 14 million extension requests from taxpayers.

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If you still have to file your taxes, the IRS has these tips to help:

Gather Records. Good recordkeeping helps to ensure that nothing gets overlooked. Records such as receipts and cancelled checks also provide expense documentation.

Use IRS Online Tools. The IRS has many useful online tools, including the Interactive Tax Assistant, which gives the same answers to tax questions that an IRS representative would give over the phone.

File Electronically. Most taxpayers file electronically these days. It offers ease and convenience. The tax software guides people through the entire process. There are no forms to fill out. Electronic filing is also a more accurate way to file since the software does all the math for you.

Use IRS Free File. Free File is available only on IRS.gov. Taxpayers earning $66,000 or less last year can use free name-brand tax software to file a federal tax return. Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms, is available for workers who earned more than $66,000. People can use Free File to get an automatic six-month extension to file. Taxpayers can now use their cell phone or tablet to prepare and e-file a federal tax return through IRS Free File. They can access Free File two ways. They can use the IRS app, IRS2Go, which has a link to the Free File Software Lookup Tool. They can go right to IRS.gov/freefile and select the Free File Software Lookup Tool or Start Free File Now to find the software product they want to use. The IRS2Go app is available for Android and iOS devices.

Report All Income. Taxpayers must report all their income from Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, and Forms 1099. Other income may be reportable as well, even if the taxpayer does not receive a statement.

• Choose Direct Deposit. The fastest and safest way to receive a refund is to file electronically and choose direct deposit. The IRS issues most refunds in less than than 21 days.

• Visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers can click on the File link for access to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions and IRS forms and publications. The IRS Services Guide outlines the many ways to get help on IRS.gov.

Making a Tax Payment

When paying taxes this year keep in mind:

• Electronic payment options are the quickest and easiest way to make a tax payment.
• IRS Direct Pay is a free way to pay online directly from a checking or savings account.
• Taxpayers can pay with a credit or debit card, although the company that processes the payment will charge a processing fee.
• The IRS2Go app provides mobile payment options directly on a smart phone.
• Taxpayers can pay using their tax software when they e-file. If using a tax preparer, ask the preparer to make the tax payment electronically.
• Taxpayers may also enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System and have a choice of using the internet or phone by using the EFTPS Voice Response System.
• Never send cash by mail. Taxpayers can make a cash payment without using a bank account or credit card at more than 7,000 7-Eleven stores nationwide via IRS.gov/paywithcash.
• Taxpayers can go to IRS.gov/account to securely access information about their federal tax account. They can view the amount they owe, access their tax records online, review the past 18 months of payment history, and view key tax return information for the most recent tax return as originally filed.

Warnings About Tax Scams

Schemes that try to trick payroll personnel into disclosing sensitive information at businesses, public schools and universities, hospitals, tribal governments and charities are being targeted by Maryland tax officials.

A list of approved vendors for use in filing a electronic return can be found at www.marylandtaxes.com. Free state tax assistance is available at all of the Maryland agency's 12 taxpayer service offices, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A list of office locations can be found at www.marylandtaxes.com.

For more information on any tax-related matter, visit the Comptroller's website at www.marylandtaxes.com or call 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) or 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland.

Tips To Avoid Scams

A sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be IRS employees, using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling, authorities say.

Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a gift card or wire transfer. Victims may be threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver's license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. Taxpayers may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information. If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an "urgent" callback request.

Note that the IRS doesn't:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.
• Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
• Demand payment without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Warnings on Phishing Scams

IRS officials warn taxpayers to be alert to phone and email phishing scams that try to trick victims into divulging their personal information. The IRS says it has been working with the tax industry and state revenue departments to continue strengthening processing systems to protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud.

Scammers will call or email taxpayers to verify the last four digits of their Social Security number by clicking on a link provided in an email, which claims that recent data breaches across the nation may be involved.
Government offices do not send emails like this, authorities said.

Taxpayers should not reply to emails requesting confidential information, especially your Social Security number, birth date, salary information or home address. If you receive an email asking for a copy of your W-2 form, you should immediately contact your employer. You also may call 1-800-MD-TAXES or email mdcomptroller@comp.state.md.us.

Refunds in 2018

Where's My Refund? ‎on IRS.gov and the IRS2Go phone app will be updated with projected deposit dates for early Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit refund filers in February. Taxpayers will not see a refund date on Where's My Refund? ‎or through their software packages until then.

Before you file, the IRS has these tips to help you.

• Gather your records. Make sure you have all your tax records. This includes receipts, canceled checks and other records that support income, deductions or tax credits that you claim. If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, you will need the information in Form 1095-A to file.
• Review your return. Mistakes slow down your tax refund. If you file a paper return, be sure to check all Social Security numbers. That's one of the most common errors.

Help for Taxpayers

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly offer free tax help to people who qualify. Go to irs.gov and enter "free tax prep" in the search box to learn more and find a nearby VITA or TCE site, or download the IRS2Go smartphone app to find a free tax prep provider.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can provide helpful information and advice about the ever-changing tax code. Tips for choosing a return preparer and details about national tax professional groups are available on IRS.gov.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that they should keep copies of their prior-year tax returns for at least three years. Taxpayers who are changing tax software products this filing season will need their adjusted gross income from their 2015 tax return in order to file electronically. The Electronic Filing Pin is no longer an option. Taxpayers can visit IRS.Gov/GetReady for more tips on preparing to file their 2016 tax return.

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