YOUR AD HERE »

Oct. 16 tax deadline creeping up on extension filers

Submitted by H&R Block, Granby

The countdown for filing 2016 tax returns has “restarted” for taxpayers who submitted an extension to file before the April 18 midnight deadline, according to Sandra Moore, the enrolled agent and owner of the H&R Block office in Granby, which serves all of Grand County.

“Their returns are now due by Oct. 16,” Moore said.

Millions of taxpayers seek more time every year, and as the April deadline for filing 2016 tax returns neared the IRS estimated that more than 13 million taxpayers would submit an extension to file their return. So why do so many people request more time to file?



“One of the things that can keep taxpayers from filing by the April deadline is not having the documents they need to file an accurate return,” said Jackie Perlman, principal tax research analyst at The Tax Institute at H&R Block. “When taxpayers don’t have the appropriate documents to report all of their income and support all the tax credits and deductions they are entitled to claim, they could end up filing an inaccurate return and underpay taxes or even pay more than they owe in taxes.”

Sandra Moore at the Granby office is an enrolled agent for H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider. She has been providing expert tax advice and preparation support for taxpayers in Grand County since 2015.



Typically, the extension deadline is Oct. 15, Moore says, but because that is a Sunday this year taxpayers get one extra day. Most taxpayers who got an extension must file by this slightly extended extension or they will start accruing the monthly, 5 percent, failure-to-file penalty on taxes due. But, because of Mother Nature’s recent activities, the IRS has stepped in and given special consideration to victims of some natural disasters.

This year, IRS relief applies for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria who filed an extension; individuals and businesses in the affected disaster areas have until Jan. 31, 2018 to file their Oct. 16 extended tax returns. The eligible taxpayers are in counties throughout southeast Texas, the entire state of Florida, the entire state of Georgia, all municipalities in Puerto Rico and the three main U.S. Virgin Islands. Taxpayers whose ZIP code identifies them as living in one of these disaster areas are automatically eligible for the additional time to file their return.

For more information, check the IRS disaster site or contact H&R Block at 800-HRBLOCK. Any taxpayers who want help filing a tax return to meet the October tax deadline can call 800-HRBLOCK or find a local H&R Block office online.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.