Late January is a Great Time to Pay Your Taxes

Tips for paying taxes soon and what to do if you can’t pay on time

When should you file your income tax? The earlier, the better; before the end of January – if you expect to get a refund. If you file by the end of February, you should receive your check within six weeks. But, if you delay and file in April when the Internal Revenue Service is inundated by forms from other last-minute taxpayers, you could face a long wait for your refund.

If you are in line for a refund, avoid congratulating yourself too enthusiastically. That only means you have given the government free use of money that was rightfully yours. If you want to put those extra dollars to work for you instead of Uncle Sam, simply reduce the amount withheld from your paycheck. You do that by completing a W-4 Form and increasing your number of allowances on it.

If you have the money to pay but just cannot complete your tax return by the April 15th deadline, the IRS will extend your day of filing to August 15th. You must, however, send in an extension form – IRS Form 4868 – and an estimated payment of your taxes by April 15th. You or your accountant can estimate your income for last year and subtract any deductions and credits you expect to take. Then, by referring to the tax tables in the 1040 instruction booklet, you pay the amount you owe.

If you underestimate the income tax due, you may have to pay the one-half percent-a-month penalty – plus interest – on your outstanding balance. But, if you send in your return late without having filed for an extension, the IRS will be much less forgiving.

Here is another matter to watch: Even if you file an extension form, you must still make your past year’s contribution to your Individual Retirement Arrangement by April 15th.

If you have omitted information or would like to add information to your tax return after you have filed it, you may prepare amended federal and state returns. Generally, the IRS allows up to three years from the original filing date to amend a return.

What if You Can’t Pay on Time?

According to the most recent data from the IRS, Americans owed more than $131 billion in back taxes just last year. What should you do when you discover that you owe the government more than you can pay by the due date?

Experts advise that you should file your tax return on time and send in as much as you can, otherwise you will be faced with paying larger penalties.

First, you will be liable for a fine of at least 5 percent and not more than 25 percent of your tax liability each month for late filing of your form plus one-half percent for each month for late payment. Second, you may be charged about 10 percent annual interest compounded daily. You can help avoid tax fines by filing a timely extension and paying at least 90 percent of your total tax liability. You still will have to pay interest on any balance due.

The IRS has several options available if payment is not made. They can attach your paycheck and seize your bank accounts and home, but they rarely take such drastic action if you earnestly try to pay your debts.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

The key is communication. If you do not enclose a check when filing your return, you will eventually receive a letter demanding payment within ten days. The best advice here is: do not ignore this notice. The IRS becomes tougher with every passing day. Just be sure to telephone or visit the IRS office listed on the delinquency notice. Do that immediately after receiving the first notice instead of waiting for the fourth and final one about three months later.

It is also wise when meeting with the IRS to take along a professional tax advisor. An advisor often has the ability to get the IRS to agree to better terms than you can.

Once you have finalized your arrangements with the IRS, make a point of preventing it from happening again. If you are a wage-earner, considering taking fewer withholding allowances at work so more money for taxes will be deducted from your pay; if you are self-employed, you may want to increase your quarterly estimated tax payments. Talk to us to discuss recommendations for your specific situation.

As the old saying goes, “the only two sure things in life are death and taxes.”