The tax man has come and gone. Still holding that blank form in your hand, unmailed?
Umm, you may want to take care of that, today.
If you have it filled out and ready to go and just never made it to the post office, go. Now.
If you never filled it out and need more time, apply for an extension. Visit this link: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf to fill out a Form 4868 for more time to do your math. This will give you until Oct. 15.
If you don’t owe money, you will have no penalty for not filing on time. However, if the IRS owes you a refund, the longer you take to turn the form in, the longer it takes to get your refund.
If you owe the IRS money, you were required to have the bulk of that money turned in by April 15 to avoid fees and penalties. So, begin coming to terms with the fact that you will very likely be paying fees and penalties.
If you know you owe money but cannot pay, you need to file anyway. The IRS clock begins ticking today. Fees begin on April 16 and will continue to be assessed until you pay them. Unlike unpaid credit card bills that you might be able to wiggle out of, the IRS will eventually find you. Unpaid taxes can result in jail time for the worst offenders.
Once you file you can work with the IRS to set up a payment plan to give them what you owe. They are willing to work with you, but cannot do so until you file and give them a call.
If you are military serving in a combat zone, or the spouse of a military member in a combat zone you may qualify for an automatic extension. Note, the rule specifies combat zone, not simply those who live overseas.
The IRS outlines the rules in detailed format on this page: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Extension-of-Deadlines-%E2%80%94-Combat-Zone-Service
The point is, if you are still holding that form, you have missed the deadline. You will do yourself no favors to hide from the IRS. Visit the IRS webpage to find the correct office to contact for your situation http://www.irs.gov/uac/How-to-Contact-the-IRS-1
And then get moving. Time is now money lost to fees and penalties.
