Delayed tax-filing deadline arrives

Not even the coronavirus could keep the tax man away forever.

A three-month reprieve for filing and paying 2019 federal and Ohio income taxes comes to an end on Wednesday.

“We’re getting the last-minute ... procrastinators starting to come out,” said Phil Harper, a certified public accountant at Stark Tax & Financial Service in Canton.

In March, the Internal Revenue Service unveiled its People First Initiative — a series of steps designed to help ease the burden on taxpayers due to the COVID-19 crisis. The relief package included delaying the federal filing deadline from April 15 to July 15. Officials in Ohio and many other states followed suit, pushing their deadlines to July 15 as well.

In addition, the IRS granted the same three-month delay to taxpayers who are on payment plans or those in some stage of completing an “Offer In Compromise” to settle tax debts.

“The best way to think of it is that (Wednesday) is the new April 15,” Harper said.

He suggested that still-unprepared taxpayers might want to file a request for an extension that would give them until Oct. 15 to file.

Individual taxpayers may request a filing extension by filling out Form 4868 through a tax professional or by using tax-filing software or the freefile link on the Irs.gov website. Businesses in need of additional time must file Form 7004.

As always, tax returns that are completed on paper and mailed in are considered to have been filed on time if the envelope is postmarked no later than the deadline: Wednesday.

However, the IRS is experiencing delays in processing paper returns, due to limited staffing.

In a press release last week, the IRS suggested last-minute tips for filing electronically:

• Taxpayers with incomes of $69,000 or less may use IRS Free File to find free tax-preparation software. Those with incomes higher than that may use the same free-file forms on the website.

• Commercial tax software may be used to prepare and file taxes through Irs-approved electronic channels.

• Authorized IRS e-file providers may prepare, transmit and electronically file returns.

• Members of the military and qualified veterans may use Miltax, a free online service from the Department of Defense and Military Onesource.

Those expecting a refund who file electronically and request direct deposit typically receive it within 21 days.