The deadline for filing state and federal income taxes is little
more than a week away. For people still trying to complete tax
returns, help is available online and at tax-assistance centers
throughout the Sacramento area.
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that if they fail
to file a tax return by April 15, they face interest on the unpaid
taxes as well as a failure-to-pay penalty. Interest and penalties
are added to the balance due. Those who can’t file by the deadline
may request an extension of time to file.
The deadline for filing state and federal income taxes is little more than a week away. For people still trying to complete tax returns, help is available online and at tax-assistance centers throughout the Sacramento area.
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that if they fail to file a tax return by April 15, they face interest on the unpaid taxes as well as a failure-to-pay penalty. Interest and penalties are added to the balance due. Those who can’t file by the deadline may request an extension of time to file.
Those who file on time or request and extension but don’t pay all or some of the balance due by the deadline will incur interest on the unpaid amount and a failure-to-pay penalty. The IRS advises paying as much as possible by the deadline to minimize interest and penalties.
Answers to frequently asked tax questions and information on electronic filing options also are available on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov/.
Last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created a number of tax breaks that can be claimed on tax returns. They include:
— The Homebuyer Credit.
— Making Work Pay Credit.
— American Opportunity Credit.
— Home Energy Credit.
— New Car Tax and Fee Deduction.
For information about these and other Recovery credits, see the Web site at www.IRS.gov/recovery.
For help filing California tax returns:
The California Franchise Tax Board offers a number of self-service applications online via the Web site at www.ftb.ca.gov.
The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs are available by appointments at several locations throughout Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo counties. For a list of locations, click on the “free filing assistance” link.
A 24-hour toll-free automated phone service is available at 800-338-0505. To speak with a customer service representative, call the Franchise Tax Board’s general toll-free line at 800-852-5711 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Some taxpayers qualify for the Franchise Tax Board’s online ReadyReturn program, which completes the tax return for the taxpayer. It is based on information already collected from employers such as that contained on W-2 forms. More than 2 million taxpayers qualify who last year:
— Earned wages from a single employer.
— Filed either as single or head of household.
— Took the standard deduction.
— Claimed no more than five dependents.
More than 6.5 million taxpayers qualify to use CalFile, a no-cost, direct online filing program. Taxpayers type in their tax return information on the Franchise Tax Board’s Web site and transmit their return directly to the board. CalFile accepts taxpayers with income of up to $321,483, itemized deductions and some tax credits.
