Community Corner

Tax Day Tips for 2011

What you need to know about those last minute filings.

Tax day is quickly approaching and if you are one of hundreds of thousands that have not filed your taxes yet, there’s no need to fret. In a special edition of Five Things today, we are giving you some free hints on what you need to know to file your taxes on-time and avoid extra fees.

Holiday Forgiveness Gives You An Extra Business Day –

Tax Day in 2011 isn’t April 15 as many believe, but due to a federal government holiday this Friday will actually take place on Monday, April 18. That means you have a few extra days to gather your statements and file your taxes before you are considered late.

The reason for the extension in 2011 is that April 15 is considered a federal holiday in observance of Emancipation Day. The deadline will return to April 15 in 2012.

Make Sure You Properly Sign and Include Proper Postage –


One mistake many residents make is that they don’t properly sign forms or include proper postage. If you fail to do either, your return will be delivered back to you and considered late.

There are also no extended hours this year due to the tax extension, so it’s important to know when your post office closes. In Southington, the main post office at 125 Main St. will remain open until 5 p.m. Also check mailboxes for hours before placing your return in it to make sure there is one more pick-up that day.

For a complete list of tips to make sure you’ve properly mailed your return, check out this list of tips provided by the United States Post Office.

Of course, you can always file your returns electronically at www.ct.gov/drs or www.irs.gov.

Don’t Have Your Tax Information? File for an Extension –

Sometimes colleting your tax forms can be difficult and there are many people throughout the state who do not have all the information they need by the tax deadline, according to the state Department of Revenue Services. That’s ok.

Residents have the ability to file their taxes on the state or federal level late, provided they obtain and file for extensions, which are granted provided they are postmarked by the tax deadline on April 18. If you believe you might owe money, you should make efforts to pay by the deadline as well, however, or risk penalties later.

State extension forms can be picked up at Southington Public Library, printed online at www.ct.gov/drs or www.irs.gov and can even filed online. An extension does not eliminate all penalties for those who may owe money, she said, but lets the state or federal government know you will file later and prevents a failure-to-file penalty.

Extensions offer an Oct. 15 deadline.

Getting Money Back? You Don’t Have a Deadline –

The deadlines for taxes apply directly to those who are going to owe money to the government but if you are getting a refund, you don’t need to fret. You can still collect your refunds after the tax deadlines, even if there are refunds owed to you from up to three years ago.

Several local tax specialists said although this is good news for procrastinators - don’t wait too long. Filing multiple returns can lead to problems and set off red flags that could make you a target for IRS review. Besides, who doesn’t want a check in the mail?

Need Help Figuring Out How To File Your Taxes? -

Still don’t have your taxes done and not sure how to do them yourself? Not a problem – there are local businesses willing to help.

Both Liberty Tax service, 405 Queen St., and H&R Block, 768 Queen St. in Southington, are taking last minute filers.

BONUS – What You Probably Didn’t Know: There Are Benefits For Everyone on Tax Day –

While Tax Day can be a stressful time, there are benefits offered by local businesses that can help make your day a brighter one.

One local business looking to help out this year is Arby’s, which is offering a free order of curly fries on Tax day as a way of trying to help customers out in relieving stress from those last minute filings. Be sure to keep your eyes open for more deals!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here