October 15th Extension Deadline Approaching

Article Highlights:

• Extended due date 
• Late filing penalties 
• Interest on tax due 

If you were unable to file your 2013 individual tax return by April 15th and filed an extension, you should be aware that the extension gave you until October 15th to file your return or face a late filing penalty, which is 4 1/2% of the tax due per month, with a maximum penalty of 22 1/2% of the tax due. There is also a minimum penalty of the lesser of $135 or 100% of the tax due. If you prepaid your 2013 taxes timely through a combination or withholding or estimated taxes and will receive a refund when your return is ultimately filed, there is no penalty for filing late.

You should also be aware that the extension provided you additional time to file your return but not additional time to pay any tax you might owe. Thus, even though the extension avoids the late filing penalty, you are still subject to interest on any unpaid balance through the date of filing. Therefore, you can minimize interest charges by filing as soon as possible.

There are no additional extensions available, so if you owe tax it is important you file by the October 15th due date even if you have to estimate the missing items and file an amended return at a later date.

If you are on extension and have the information needed to complete your return, it is important that you provide that information to this office as soon as possible to avoid being caught up in a last-minute rush. If you are on extension and cannot obtain the information required to complete your return, please call this office as soon as possible to discuss your options.

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