Last Day to File Your Federal and State Tax Returns

If you are one of the many who has waited until the last minute to file your taxes, you only have hours now to do so.

The 2016 tax filing deadline is midnight tonight.

IRS Spokesman Mark S. Green said it’s estimated about 4.7 million Georgians will be filing tax returns this year and so far, about half of those have already been filed with the average refund at about $2,800.

Green says if you don’t think you can make the deadline at midnight tonight to finish your return, you can file an extension.

“During this period one of the most asked questions is should I file by April 18th, if I can’t pay the tax due? The answer is yes!  You should file on time (or request the automatic six-month extension) and pay as much of the tax as possible with your return.  If you do not file your return by the due date, you may have to pay a failure-to-file penalty. The key is to file something by midnight April 18th, your tax return or the extension,” said Green.

And with so little time to file your return, Green advises everyone who has waited until the last minute to file electronically.

Additionally, Green notes it can be free to file your return electronically through the IRS.gov Web site.

“The IRS has launched a new, online public directory of tax return preparers the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications,” Green explained. “This searchable directory on IRS.gov will help taxpayers find a tax professional with credentials and select qualifications to help them prepare their tax returns. Additionally, if you make less than $62,000 a year, you can also file your return for free through the IRS Web site using any one of a number verified tax preparation companies.”

A list of those preparers is on the IRS Web site.

Green said if you have questions or need help filing your taxes, you can go online to IRS.gov to find the help you need and it’s free.