Internal Revenue Service encourages tax filing as deadline day approaches, April 15

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - Tax deadline day looms on the horizon, a little less than a month away.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, many people wait until the very last minute to file their taxes, mainly to delay the dread of owing.

“It’s definitely a headache,” said Dr. Betty Roberts. “We always owe every year, so we wait till the very last minute and file our taxes.”

Tax season can be much like rush hour traffic, especially the closer we get to deadline day.

In January, the Internal Revenue Service projected 168 million individual tax returns to be filed by the April 15 deadline. However, those who haven’t filed yet are pushing it close, but can be granted a little more time with an extension.

“If you do qualify for an extension, you’re able to file accurately with all your documents at hand, hopefully, by Oct. 15,” IRS Public Affairs specialist Cesar Yabor.

Yabor said the extension is mainly to deal with paperwork of the filing process.

Still, even though an extension can grant six more months to prepare, all rules still apply.

“The rules remain the same,” Yabor said. “Please make sure you have all your paperwork together. We’re talking about your W2s, any 1099′s that show other kinds of income.

“If you feel that you’re missing something, a critical document, say the W2 itself, and your employer hasn’t provided you that yet, you’ve got to contact your employer.”

So, instead of avoiding or taking detours through tax season traffic, Roberts suggested getting it over with.

“Still, of course, it doesn’t matter,” Roberts said. “We just usually go ahead and pay the taxes off.

“It’s pretty much a waste for me to file an extension knowing that I do have to pay it.”

Yabor said assistance is available.

“We’re here to help you,” Yabor said. “I know that nobody likes to file during tax season. It stresses everyone out, but we have so many folks all over the country who want to help you with this.

“Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, including in person. That’s what we’re here for.”

There are six IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the state. Of those, you can find one here in the Pine Belt in Hattiesburg at 701 N. Main St.

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