2019 IRS Tax Deadline: When To File, How To Get Extension

CHARLOTTE, NC — Tax day is nearly here, which means the procrastinators among us still have a few more days to buckle down, dig out receipts and file returns. The deadline to file your taxes is Monday, April 15.

There is some good news for Tar Heel State residents. When it comes to state tax rates, North Carolina taxpayers don’t face the same financial burdens that are felt in other states, according to WalletHub. When it comes to states with the lowest tax bill, North Carolina ranks No. 24, the website said in its recent yearly Tax Rates by State report.

WalletHub also released results of its 2019 Taxpayer Survey, which set, perhaps unsurprisingly, an ominous tone for the task at hand. Here are some of the highlights:

• Fewer than 4 in 10 people are happy with President Trump's tax reforms. 70% think they benefit the rich more than the middle class.
• 89% of people think the government currently does not spend their tax dollars wisely.
• 31% of people say making a math mistake is their biggest Tax Day fear, edging out not having enough money (28%) at the top of the list.
• 36% of people would move to a different country for a tax-free future. 24% would get an "IRS" tattoo and 15% would take a vow of celibacy.

The IRS says filing taxes electronically and choosing direct deposits for refunds is the fastest and safest way to file tax returns and receive a refund. The IRS expects four out of five tax returns to be prepared electronically.

Nine out of 10 taxpayers can expect to get their tax refunds in less than 21 days, but the IRS said returns claiming the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit would be issued at the earliest starting Feb. 27.

If you need more time to prepare your taxes, you can apply for an extension but you must apply for that extension by April 15. If you file for an extension, your tax return will be due Oct. 15. You can find more information on applying for an extension here.

Errors delay refunds and the easiest way to avoid them is to e-file. Combining direct deposit with electronic filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. With direct deposit, a refund goes directly into a taxpayer's bank account.

There are several e-file options:

• IRS Free File.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
• Commercial tax preparation software.
• Tax professional.

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.
• Report all your income. You will need to report your income from all of your Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Forms 1099 and any other income – even if you don't receive a statement – when you file your tax return.
• Try IRS Free File. Free File is available only on IRS.gov. If you made $62,000 or less, you can use free tax software to file your federal return. If you earned more, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms.
• Try IRS e-file. Electronic filing is the best way to file a tax return. It's accurate, safe and easy. If you owe taxes, you have the option to e-file early and pay by April 17 to avoid penalties and interest.
• Use Direct Deposit. The fastest and safest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
• 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.
• Visit IRS.gov. The website has forms and other info you need to file your tax return. Click on the "Filing" icon for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions and IRS forms and publications. The IRS has many online tools on IRS.gov to help you file and answer your tax questions. The tool gives the same answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone.

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.

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 the North Carolina Department of Revenue's Tax Fraud Hotline at 1-800-232-4939.

Patch Editors Feroze Dhanoa, Deb Belt contributed