GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Today is tax day.
That means income filings are due today, unless you file for an extension.
Which might be the right thing to do if you’re sweating the midnight deadline.
“I would recommend that you get the extension form, it’s a pretty easy process,” explains Diane Hardt, a tax administrator with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. “It may give you some relief from that crunching on Monday.”
But, plenty of people will still embark on the last-minute crunching today.
There are no penalties for filings hours, or minutes, before the deadline, but just make sure that you’re doing everything correctly to avoid future headaches.
“Make sure you have all of your W2’s and be able to add those all up and enter those on your tax return,” explains Hardt.
Rushing through the process and not checking to ensure that every component is properly filed will spell bad things for the future.
If you’re missing any paperwork you’ll have to amend your tax return, meaning more paperwork and more stress.
Once again if you’re not ready to do everything correctly in less than twenty-four hours, officials urge filing for an extension.
“I would take the time to do it right the first time,” she explains.
The one drawback to last-minute filing is that it will push back the period in which you can expect your return.
The reason behind that is because so many people have waited until now.
“We are expecting around 500,000 tax returns this week,” says Hardt. “So be patient waiting for your refund.”
She says anybody filing late should wait at least twelve weeks before reaching out about a missing refund.
The good news for those feeling stress today is that experts are ready and waiting to help in a number of ways.
Hardt says feel free to reach out to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue who will have staff available all day to offer assistance over the phone.
“So they might just be asking about what form do I file, how do I electronically file, where do I access the software that I might want too?” she explains.
Phone assistance can be found throughout the day by calling 608-266-2772.
