Are you prepared for tax deadline day?

How to ensure you don’t get in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service

It’s the last day to file your 2018 taxes before getting into hot water with the Internal Revenue Service.

If you don’t file your federal tax returns on time, you could be charged a late-filing penalty. And if you owe and don’t pay Uncle Sam on time, you could rack up interest and additional fees on top of your tax bill.

By last count, the IRS has received about twothirds of the expected 150 million individual returns as of April 6. That means a third of Americans are hustling this Monday to get those returns in by midnight.

If you’re one of those procrastinators, here are five things you may need to know before sending in that 1040 into the IRS.

Massachusetts and Maine residents

You get two extra days – until April 17 – to file your federal tax return if you live in Maine or Massachusetts. That’s because April 15 is Patriots’ Day, a holiday in both states. The next day is Emancipation Day, a local holiday in Washington, D.C., that the IRS observes and shuts down for.

How to mail your return on time

A paper federal return is considered on time by the IRS if it’s addressed correctly, has enough postage and is postmarked by April 15, according to the U.S. Postal System. The IRS address you use depends on which state you’re filing from and whether you’re enclosing a payment, so double check the agency’s website to make sure you have the right one.

Weigh your return to get the correct postage amount. Most weigh more than 1 ounce, the limit for a regular stamp. If you don’t have the correct postage, your tax returns will be sent back to you.

Make sure your return address is clearly written or printed on the envelope. Drop your return into a USPS blue collection box at a post office that has a pick-up time before the deadline. Some post office locations have longer hours and late postmarking on tax day. Call the nearest one to you to find out.

Amendment deadline

April 15 also is the deadline to file an amended return for your 2015 tax return. Generally, you get three years after the original filing deadline for that specific tax year or two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.

You must use the Form 1040X to file an amended return. Taxpayers should file an amended return if their employer made a mistake on their original W-2 and a corrected one. Same thing if a financial institution corrects a 1099 form.

You also may want to file an amended return if you realized you missed a key deduction or credit,

Tax Day freebies

California Tortilla: With any Tax Day purchase, get free chips and queso when you say “1040.” Great American Cookies: Get one free Original Chocolate Chip Cookies at participating locations for stopping by Monday.

Hardee’s: The fast-food chain is giving away free sausage biscuits from 7 to 10 a.m. Monday at participating locations. To get this freebie, you need to say, “Made from scratch.” One per customer, while supplies last. Tax not included.

Hot Dog on a Stick: Get one free Turkey or Veggie Dog participating locations Monday. Limit one per customer. No purchase or proof of completed taxes necessary.

Kona Ice: Tax Day is Kona Ice’s National “Chill Out Day.” Stop by the company’s island-inspired trucks during select hours Monday for a free cup of tropical shaved ice. Find participating hours and locations at www.kona-ice.com/chill-out-day.

Office Depot/OfficeMax: Through April 27, get up to five pounds of documents shredded for free with a coupon posted at www.officedepot.com.

Planet Fitness: This Tax Day promotion runs now through April 20. Members and non-members can use available HydroMassage chairs with a coupon at www.hydromassage.com/taxday.

All freebies are available at participating locations Monday unless otherwise noted. To be on the safe side, check with your closest location before heading out. Find additional Tax Day deals at www.usatoday.com/money.

or didn’t change your filing status after a life change.

How to file for an extension

If you can’t make the deadline, it’s a simple process to get a six-month extension.

But you must file for an extension by April 15.

There are two ways to do this. You can file for one online using “Free File” from the major tax prep companies. Or, you can fill out a Form 4868 and mail it to the IRS address in your state. It must be postmarked by April 15.

How to pay what you owe

If you have a tax bill, the IRS must receive your payment by the April 15 tax deadline – or April 17 for Maine and Massachusetts residents – even if you filed for an extension.

❚ By bank account: Your tax prep software provides an option to automatically withdraw from a bank account to pay your bill when you e-file.

Or, you can use the IRS “Direct Pay” service, which takes from your checking or savings account at no cost.

❚ By debit or credit card: For a service fee, you can pay online or by phone through one of these processors: World Pay US, Link 2 Gov Corporation or Official Payments.

❚ By wire transfer: Some banks can do a same-day wire for your payment.

You need to fill out the Same-Day Taxpayer Worksheet.