Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Commissioner Kevin Sullivan reminded taxpayers today that this year there’s a little extra time to file with the federal and state income tax deadline coming on April 18th. This year, the regular April 15th deadline is delayed due to the federal date being pushed back by the Washington, D.C. “Emancipation Day” holiday.
Report by Paula Antolini
April 12, 2016 9:16AM EDT
Taxpayers Have More Time to File This Year, Taxes Due April 18
Tax Commissioner Reminds Taxpayers of April 18th Filing Day and Offers Taxpayer Assistance
Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Commissioner Kevin Sullivan reminded taxpayers that this year there’s a little extra time to file with the federal and state income tax deadline coming on April 18th. This year, the regular April 15th deadline is delayed due to the federal date being pushed back by the Washington, D.C. “Emancipation Day” holiday.
Emancipation Day is a holiday in Washington DC to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which president Abraham Lincoln signed on April 16, 1862. It is annually held on April 16.
Said Commissioner Sullivan, “Just because there’s a little more time to file, taxpayers should never wait until the last minute. We estimate 1.8 million income tax returns this year from both paper and electronic filers. Even more this year, DRS is working to protect taxpayer identities and refunds from tax fraud and theft. We are also here to offer tax tips and other assistance to help taxpayers.”
Commissioner Sullivan listed a number of ways that taxpayers can get help:
- Use the free DRS Taxpayer Service Center to file for Connecticut income tax.
- Remember – an extension to file your return is not an extension to pay the amount due. Taxpayers who do not file by April 18th or pay the full amount due may face penalties and interest.
- Get free filing assistance. Lower income and older taxpayers can get excellent free tax preparation and filing assistance from AARP, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program and Community Accounting Aid and Services, Inc. (CAAS).
- Consider a tax refund donation to charity. All or part of a state income tax refund can be donated to a wide variety of charities by a simple check-off box found on the Connecticut income tax return.
- Use a reputable tax preparer. Taxpayers with relatively simple tax financials do not need to pay for preparation services. For those who do, be sure to choose a legitimate mainstream paid preparer or on-line processor. Never sign blank tax forms. Avoid preparers that do not have refunds sent directly to taxpayers, pay refunds through debit cards or promote commercial tie-ins, refund anticipation loans or other financing or payment based on the amount of the refund. Always get a copy of the return that is filed.
- Don’t forget to report and pay Use Tax. Resident taxpayers making out-of-state online purchases where no Connecticut sales tax was collected at the time of purchase must declare and pay the Use Tax when filing their annual state income tax returns. Failure to do so can result in penalties, interest and even criminal enforcement.
- Don’t get scammed and ripped off. Cybercriminals are making more sophisticated attempts every year to steal your refund and personal information. This includes phishing telephone calls and official looking emails to employers and taxpayers. Do not reply to suspicious emails or go to a website link no matter how official it may look. Remember, before the IRS or DRS contacts a taxpayer by phone, they will have already sent a written notice in the mail. For more information taxpayers can go to Victims of Tax Related ID Theft.
*****
For more information, please visit the DRS web site at www.ct.gov/DRS or call 1-800-382-9463 in state, or (860) 297-5962 from anywhere.
Leave a Reply