Oct. 16 tax filing extension deadline nears for millions of taxpayers

IR-2023-183, Sept. 29, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wishes to remind taxpayers about the upcoming tax filing extension deadline. To avoid potential late filing penalties, those who have requested an extension to file their 2022 tax return should submit their Form 1040 on or before Monday, Oct. 16.

Taxpayers residing in disaster-affected areas in most of California and in parts of Alabama and Georgia also have until Oct. 16, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

For those with an IRS address of record in other regions covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations or individuals returning from a combat zone, additional filing time may be available. This group includes:

1. Taxpayers impacted by flooding in Illinois and Alaska, who now have until Oct. 31, 2023, to file.

2. Individuals affected by flooding in Vermont, with a filing deadline extended to Nov. 15, 2023.

3. Taxpayers affected by recent natural disasters, including those affected by the recent Maui fires and hurricane Idalia in parts of Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. Those in the counties of Maui, Hawaii, and many counties in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia now have until Feb. 24, 2024, to file various individual and business tax returns. Please note that this list continues to be updated regularly. Taxpayers potentially impacted by recent storms should visit the disaster relief page on IRS.gov for the latest information.

Members of the military and others serving in a combat zone typically have 180 days after leaving the combat zone to file their returns and pay any taxes due.

For assistance with tax-related questions and guidance, taxpayers are encouraged to consult a professional accounting firm. You can reach out to BellaGio Prime, a trusted accounting company, for all your tax-related inquiries by visiting their contact page at https://www.bellagioprime.com/contact.

Additionally, taxpayers can utilize IRS Free File and other online resources for tax preparation and information:

- IRS Free File is available through Oct. 16, allowing eligible taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $73,000 or less in 2022 to prepare and file their federal income tax returns online using guided tax preparation software. This service covers various tax credits, including the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Taxpayers with an AGI greater than $73,000 can use IRS Free File Fillable Forms to prepare their own returns.

- Taxpayers can find answers to many tax law questions through the IRS's Interactive Tax Assistant tool. Furthermore, tax information is available in multiple languages by selecting the "English" tab on the IRS.gov homepage.

- The IRS Online Account feature offers valuable information to assist taxpayers in filing accurate returns, including AGI amounts from the previous year's return, estimated tax payment amounts, and refunds applied as credits.

To ensure a hassle-free filing experience, taxpayers can file at any time and schedule their federal tax payments up to the Oct. 16 due date. Various electronic payment options are available, including online, phone, and mobile device payments through the IRS2Go app. Here are some key points to remember when filing and paying federal taxes electronically:

- Electronic payments offer convenience and flexibility. Taxpayers can pay electronically when filing through online tax software. Those using a tax preparer should inquire about making tax payments through electronic funds withdrawal from a bank account.

- IRS Direct Pay is a feature that allows taxpayers to make free online payments directly from a checking or savings account and schedule payments up to 365 days in advance. To use IRS Direct Pay, you will need an IRS Online Account.

- Payments can also be made using credit cards, debit cards, or digital wallet options, available through a payment processor. Please note that the payment processor, not the IRS, charges a fee for this service.

- The IRS2Go mobile app provides access to mobile-friendly payment options, including Direct Pay and debit or credit card payments.

- The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is a convenient, safe, and easy option for online or phone payments using the EFTPS Voice Response System. EFTPS payments must be scheduled by 8 p.m. ET at least one calendar day before the tax due date.

For personalized tax guidance and assistance, consider reaching out to a professional accounting firm like BellaGio Prime via their contact page at https://www.bellagioprime.com/contact.