Now that the holiday season has passed, it’s time to start thinking about the next big event - tax season.

The Internal Revenue Service announced that the deadline for filing 2011 tax returns and paying any taxes due will be on a Tuesday, April 17th this year. You will have two more days because the normal tax due date falls on a Sunday and the 16th is Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia. If you request an extension, the usual October 15th deadline will still apply.

Tax returns will be accepted by the IRS beginning on January 17th. The IRS said they have made some improvements to their website to help make filing go smoother for taxpayers, including new navigation features and helpful information. They have also introduced a new pilot where you can use interactive video to get answers to your tax questions.

“At the IRS, we’re working hard to make the process of filing your taxes as quick and easy as possible,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Providing quality service is one of our top priorities. It not only reduces the burden on taxpayers, but also helps in filing an accurate return right from the start.”

As always, the IRS recommends that you file your return electronically whenever possible to prevent problems caused by tax errors and mail delays. Some taxpayers must continue to paper file, for example, those who must submit specific documents with their returns to take advantage of certain tax credits. But the vast majority of taxpayers can e-file their returns. Another great benefit to e-filing your return is that you’ll generally know within 24 hours that the IRS has received your e-filed return, instead of wondering for weeks if your paper return made it through the mail.

By e-filing and choosing to have your refund deposited directly into your bank account, you can have your refund in as little seven to ten days from the day you file if no problems are found with your tax return.

The IRS added that taxpayers making $57,000 or less can take advantage of IRS Free File, a service that allows taxpayers to choose from a wide variety of software providers to prepare their own returns and electronically file them for free. Higher income taxpayers that are familiar with doing their own taxes can also e-file their returns at no charge by using IRS Free File Fillable Forms - the electronic version of traditional paper tax forms.

And finally, once you’ve e-filed your tax return, generally within 72 hours you can check on the status of your refund with IRS2Go, a free smartphone app that was introduced last year - available in both Apple and Android apps stores. You can also go directly to the IRS website to find out about your refund.

For mailed returns, it typically takes three to four weeks to get the status of your refund. Surely, e-filing is the way to go, and the IRS is working hard to make it easier and cheaper (free!) for many taxpayers.



Source:
Internal Revenue Service