Countdown ticks toward April 15

One week and counting: Filers can get help with last-minute tax returns

CHRIS CLOUGH, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Sunday, April 7, 2002

April 15 is just around the corner, and for taxpayers who haven't yet filed their returns, time will soon feel as if it's slipping away -- and not just because of losing an hour to daylight savings.

The last week before the deadline is the busiest filing period for the Internal Revenue Service and the most hectic for last-minute taxpayers.

"I can tell you that in the last week about 25 percent of the taxpayers file," said Judy Monahan, IRS spokeswoman in the Seattle office.

For Jodi Nguyen, 45, filing at the last minute is an annual rite.

"I'm actually ahead this year. I've already picked up my forms," she said Friday as she left the Olympia IRS office.

Nguyen said she and her husband will meet next week with their accountant and will mail their return before the deadline.

"The past two years we got extensions, so we're improving with age," she said.

For those who have yet to file, there is help out there and much of it is free.

The AARP Tax-Aide program has several volunteer sites throughout Thurston County.

"We have about 70 volunteers who can help taxpayers with all the basic forms -- 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040, various schedules and so on," said Bill Pilkey, volunteer coordinator for Thurston County.

"Most of the people who use the service are seniors, and we also do quite a few visits to homes of disabled people," he said.

Tax-Aide can also be an asset to younger people, Pilkey said.

"It's surprising how many college-type students we see," he said. "Basically it's anyone who needs questions answered and can't afford a professional."

Pilkey said much of the confusion for taxpayers is generated by the earned income credit for low-income workers and the advance tax rebate from last summer.

When seeking help, Pilkey said there are a few essentials to bring to the Tax-Aide sites:

- Social Security number.

- Last year's return.

- Any income forms such as W-2s, retirement or Social Security.

You can also visit the downtown Olympia IRS office, where you'll find reams of forms, tax information booklets and personalized help at the counter.

Charles Washington, acting group manager at the office, said it has been a smooth year. Last year, the Nisqually Earthquake and the damage it caused added another layer of tax-filing complexity.

"So far, so good. It has been fairly quiet lately," Washington said. "In late January we get a crunch, and then it tends to settle down until about now."

The Olympia office, which serves Thurston, Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties, has added extra hours on Saturday mornings to ease the crunch.

Though too late for this tax season, the 18-employee office will open an additional 2,900-square-foot space across the skybridge at the end of the month. It will provide more room, more privacy and more amenities -- including computers -- for taxpayers' use.

And computers, and technology in general, have made tax preparation easier.

There's e-filing, phone-in filing and a range of tax-related computer software.

Technology also has given taxpayers more options in paying their tax bills. Besides the standard check or money order, you can pay by phone, by credit card over the Internet, and direct debit from your checking or savings account.

If you can't manage to file before April 15, you can receive an automatic extension by filing Form 4868 before the deadline. This year, the IRS has made it easier to get an extra four months -- you can also get the extension by telephone or computer.

The bad news: While the extension is automatic, the payment of taxes due is not part of the extension. When you file Form 4868, you must estimate and pay the taxes you owe for 2001.

Finally, a gentle reminder from the IRS -- don't forget to sign your return.

On the Web:

- Filing 2001 tax returns: Seven-part series on taxes

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to Taxes 2002 index