THERE’S STILL TIME TO FILE TAXES

If you woke up in a panic realizing that Sunday was April 15, relax. You have until Tuesday to file and pay your taxes without penalty.

April 15 fell on Sunday this year and Monday is Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, D.C. That gives taxpayers nationwide until April 17 to get the job done.

Procrastinators can take some solace in knowing that as of Friday 40 million Americans hadn’t filed their taxes, according to the IRS. Here are some tips for you lastminute filers:

How to f ile

The IRS says that electronic filing is the best way to avoid common mistakes. That’s because the software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers to provide missing information.

Take your time

Yes, it’s crunchtime, but try not to rush.

Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA at TurboTax, said the most important tip for entering information is to take your time. One of the most common mistakes taxpayers make when rushing is gathering incorrect Social Security numbers for their children and spouses.

Ask for more time

If you really can’t get your tax return done, seek an extension. But getting an extension only gives you more time to file your return — you still have to pay what you owe now. ●●●