Tax Day 2022 has finally arrived! Thanks to the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, DC, the April 15 deadline has been pushed back a few days to April 18 this year (April 19 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts). So if you haven’t yet filed your 2021 federal income tax return (and paid any taxes owed), today is the time to get moving. But if you’re literally waiting for the last minute, you should at least know when that last minute is coming.
Paper Returns – Postmark Rules
Some people are old fashioned and still like to fill out paper tax forms. If they owe money with their return, they are likely to write a paper check to the IRS for the amount owed. If that’s you, make sure the envelope is postmarked by April 18 (or April 19 for residents of Maine or Massachusetts). But don’t expect your post office to stay open until midnight on Tax Day like years ago (sometimes with bands playing and snacks available), so make sure you get there before the end of the day. their regular hours expire if you deliver your return to the post office counter.
Declarations filed electronically – The stroke of midnight
If you file electronically – like most people these days – you must file your tax forms electronically by midnight tonight. However, don’t wait until 11:59 p.m. to hit the submit button. It may take a few minutes for your return to be successfully transmitted to the IRS and this delay may cause you to miss the deadline.
You can also pay your taxes electronically. It’s easy using the IRS Direct Pay service (payment directly from a bank account); the electronic federal tax payment system; or a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet like PayPal (processing fees may apply). Go to the IRS “Pay Online” webpage to get started.
Extensions are available
If you just can’t file your return today for whatever reason, you can get a tax return extension until October 17, 2022. But you must act today to get the extension. You can get an extension by sending in a paper form 4868 – postmarked by April 18 – or by submitting an electronic version of the form by midnight tonight. You can also get a filing extension by making an electronic fee payment before midnight.
Also keep in mind that an extension to case don’t extend the time Pay your tax. If you don’t pay the taxes you owe at the end of the day, you will owe interest on the unpaid tax. You may also be hit with additional late filing and payment penalties.
For more information on filing extensions, see How to Get More Time to File Your Tax Return.
If you can’t pay the tax you owe, pay what you can today, then look at the different tax payment options for any remaining amount. You can set up a payment plan, make an “offer in compromise” or request a temporary collection delay.
State tax returns
Unless you live in a state with no income tax, you probably need to file a State tax return by the end of the day, too. (Perhaps a local tax return as well.) Most states set their tax return due dates to match the federal deadline, but not all. For tax deadlines in your state, including those for extension requests, estimated payments, and reporting other types of taxes, check with the tax agency in the state where you live.
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