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Oct.
17 Tax Deadline Approaches For Extension Filers
From
IRS Press Release IR-2005-117, Oct. 5, 2005
WASHINGTON —
Although most taxpayers have long since filed their 2004 federal
income tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service said today that
approximately 2 million people still face the Oct. 17 filing deadline.
The IRS reminded
taxpayers who received an additional extension in August that they
should file their returns by Oct. 17 to avoid the late filing penalty,
which is generally 5 percent per month of any unpaid tax.
However, there
are many taxpayers in Presidentially declared disaster areas as
a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita who have been granted additional
time until Feb. 28, 2006, to file their tax returns. Taxpayers in
these areas with questions can call the IRS disaster hot line at
866-562-5227. Also, Wyoming taxpayers in Campbell County, where
a tornado occurred in August, have until Oct. 21 to file their returns.
Usually the
extension deadline is Oct. 15, however, this year that date falls
on a Saturday so extension filers have until Oct. 17 to file their
returns. Last year, the IRS received more than 2.1 million returns
in October.
Taxpayers
may file returns electronically until Oct. 17; some may be
able to file for free through the Free File program at IRS.gov.
Taxpayers may use tax software on their own computers or e-file
through an authorized provider. These options offer taxpayers
security and accuracy in filing their returns, as well as
faster refunds. So far this year, approximately 68 million
taxpayers have filed electronically, representing more than
half of all individual tax returns.
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