question about taxes

[sarea]

Okay, bear with me, because this is the first year I've done my taxes completely by myself (previously, my dad did them, or looked it over after), and I really know very little about it. This was also the first year that I filed online (couple weekends ago), and I'm nervous because I asked to have my refund deposited into my bank account, but so far there's been nothing. I'm only worried because supposedly doing it that way makes it happen faster, but now I'm imagining a worst-case scenario in which it hasn't been filed at all.

So my questions are:

1) Does the IRS issue refunds before April 15, or can it be at any time? How can I know for sure that they've received my tax return? Since it's April 14, it's not too late for me to mail out a copy of my return tomorrow if I need to ... should I do that just in case, or am I worrying for nothing?

2) What happens if you don't file on time? Does that mean that if you were expecting a refund, you can kiss it goodbye? Or since they don't know you're supposed to get a refund, do they come after you and go, whereTF is your tax form bi-ach?

Comments

[akscully.livejournal.com]

If you don't file on time, they hunt you down and kill your dog as a warning. Then they come for the fanfic.

Hope they got your taxes!

You are such a wimp.

[sumdumgai.livejournal.com]

The IRS does issue refunds prior to April 15 but the turnaround time still applies. Had you filed a return back in January you might have gotten your refund in March.

If you don't file on time you can make a late filing with a monetary penalty, and failing that you can expect armed goons to show up at your door. You can also file for a free extension at any time, up to and including April 15, which gives you more time to submit your return but does NOT extend the payment deadline (e.g. you have to pay whatever they say you owe, and then if you have deductions or whatever they will give you back the difference plus your normal refund after you submit your return).

If in doubt, go to irs.gov and become totally confused.

I assume you also filled out your state return, if required.

[gianfared.livejournal.com]

Did you use Turbo Tax or something like it to file online? If you did, you needed to get back on to check the status of your return and the IRS will acknowledge/accept your return.

The IRS does issue refunds before the 15th. I don't know if you want to mail a copy since you may confuse the matter more. You have until midnight of the 15th to get it postmarked when it's mailed, so you still have time to figure out if your return has been accepted.



Good luck.

[annibug.livejournal.com]

Your little girl in the box icon gives me the creeps. :) What is that from?

[significantowl.livejournal.com]

I grew up the child of a CPA, so along with a tendency to mutter damn smum-sucking federal government at random moments I also have some more useful tax knowledge floating about my head.

So, anyhow, sumdugshi (I'm sure I got that wrong, sorry) is right on with the extension stuff and the armed goon stuff. ^_^ As to how do you know if they've got your return - I always ask the post office for a receipty thing. I wish I could remember the exact name of it - there are three different things you can pay for that'll prove you sent the thing off on time. One of them (the most expensive) also sends you back in the mail a card when the IRS gets your stuff. I usually go with the cheapest one, with gives me proof of postmark if any goons show up looking for my return.

Like I said, don't know the name, but I just ask the postal person for "that thing that proves I sent it. The cheapest one." That always works. :D It's about a dollar, I think.