When do tax returns have to be done by

To receive an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return, you can file Form File your extension request by the due date of your return.

An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay so you'll owe interest if the tax you owe isn't paid by the original due date of your return. You may also be subject to a late-payment penalty on any tax not paid by the original due date of your return.

You may want to file your return electronically. You'll usually receive your refund within 3 weeks of the date when the IRS receives your return, even faster if you elect to have it directly deposited into your checking or savings account.

Most professional tax return preparers offer electronic filing of tax returns with their return preparation services and may charge a fee to file your return electronically.

Also, when you prepare your return yourself using tax-preparation software, you may have to pay a fee to file your return electronically. However, you may qualify for free electronic filing through Free File. For more information on electronic filing in general, visit Electronic Filing Options for Individuals. If you mail a paper Form or Form SR , it can take six to eight weeks to process. Be sure to attach:. That's the fastest way. Paper returns and checks slow things down considerably. If for some reason you couldn't file your federal tax return on time, it's easy to get an automatic extension to October 15, But you had to request the extension by May 17 to qualify.

Keep in mind, however, that an extension to file doesn't extend the time to pay your tax. If you didn't pay up by the May 17 deadline, you'll owe interest on the unpaid tax. You could also be hit with additional penalties for filing and paying after Tax Day. And don't forget about your state tax return. The deadline each year is typically April However, if this date falls on a weekend or holiday, it is moved to the next business day.

Therefore, taxpayers had until Tuesday, April 17, , to file their tax returns and to pay any taxes due. Tax returns submitted after this date are subject to late penalty fees. During tax season, businesses must furnish employees, contract laborers, and others, such as royalty earners, with tax documents specifying data required to complete an individual's tax returns.

People who are required to file a tax return must do so before April 15 or request an extension. Tax season is a busy period for many tax preparers and accounting professionals. The three-and-a-half-month period at the beginning of the year is the time when the necessary paperwork, including wage and earnings statements such as s or W-2s , is collected to assemble tax returns.

While some individuals calculate their own tax returns, many rely on the expertise of tax preparers and accounting professionals to be certain the paperwork is filed correctly and to improve the financial outcome of the tax return. Individuals must file federal, state, and, in some cases, local tax returns.

The IRS advises that all taxpayers keep copies of their prior-year tax returns for at least three years. In the event of an IRS audit, a taxpayer will be required to present the last three years of their documents. In extreme cases, such as suspicion of fraud, they will be expected to show seven years of documents. The deadline for employers to file and send W-2s to employees is Jan. Businesses that hire independent contractors must send these nonemployees Form NEC as of the tax year.

This form replaced MISC , which still remains in effect for payments made for things like rent, prizes, health care, among others. Although the deadline to file your taxes is always April 15, there are cases when the IRS may have to extend it. That was the case with the as was the federal tax year.

The agency extended the filing date for individuals until May 17, , due to the coronavirus pandemic. A further extension was granted to those living in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana because of the winter storms that hit those states in February The deadline for individuals and corporations to file their tax returns was pushed to June 15, Tax deadlines in for tax returns, tax estimates, and more: tax deadlines PDF.

You cannot e-file federal or state income tax returns for Tax Year and before. However, eFile. Please keep in mind that these tax calculators are free and are intended to give you an accurate estimate of your tax refund or tax liability for the given tax year. Prior year state tax return forms are on the respective state tax pages on efile. If you expect to owe taxes for one or multiple previous tax years and you have not filed nor paid the taxes due, you will most likely be subject to late filing and late payment penalties.

If you expect a tax refund for one or more previous tax years and you have not filed an IRS or state income tax return, you will most likely not be subject to late filing and certainly not for late payment penalties. However, you only have three years after the subject tax year to claim your tax refund. After the three years, you tax refund will unfortunately expire and you can no longer claim your hard-earned money back from the IRS.

For example, after April 15, , you will no longer be able to claim your IRS tax refund. Most states follow these or similar tax refund expiration rules and dates.

File your federal and state tax returns with eFile. This will assure you can e-file, get your refund faster, and will reduce or eliminate any tax penalties.

Get Your Tax Refund Date. What is DocuClix? Security About eFile. Where Is My Refund? How to Check Refund Status efile. Mailing Addresses Contact eFile. Sign In Start Now. Tax Deadlines. You'll Be Fine! Pre-Tax Return Preparation. Your W-2 Salary Income , Income , and tax deduction related forms and documents.