Courtesy of Cincinnati.com
Today, April 18, is the last day you have to file your 2010 income tax returns.
Only the main Cincinnati post office at 1623 Dalton Ave. in Queensgate has late retail window service until 8 p.m. tonight. All other offices close at 5 p.m.
The Postal Service has three additional cautions this year. Two have to deal with making sure you have enough postage on your return.
Postal officials note many tax returns weigh more than the one-ounce rate of 44 cents - and tax agencies will not pay postage due. In addition, effective Sunday, the rate for each additional ounce for first-class mail increased from 17 cents to 20 cents.
The third caution is, if you don't have tax forms, don't go to a post office looking for them - because they aren't available from the Postal Service.
If you haven't already filed, the Internal Revenue Service recommends you do so electronically because it's more accurate.
The IRS says filing electronically, whether through e-file or IRS Free File, vastly reduces the errors in a tax return, as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts the taxpayers for missing information.
Free electronic filing also is available for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana state income tax returns.
To avoid delays in processing, the IRS reminds paper filers to send their returns to the right address. You can find the right address at irs.gov or your form instructions.
If you send a check or money order, make it payable to the United States Treasury. A number of e-payment options also are available.
Finally, if you can't meet today's filing deadline, requesting a filing extension for your return is easy and will prevent you from incurring late penalties. You can either use Free File or Form 4868.
But remember, the extension is only for filing your return. You still must pay any taxes owed today.
Here are additional tips from the IRS on common errors you can avoid, so your refund - if you're getting one - won't be delayed.
Be clear
Fill in all requested information clearly, including Social Security numbers. When you enter Social Security numbers, make sure they are correct.
One box only
Check just one filing status. Also, check the appropriate exemption boxes.
Check your math
While software catches and prevents many errors on e-file returns, math errors remain common on paper returns.
What's the route?
Get the right routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your return. Requesting a federal refund directly deposited into one, two or even three accounts is convenient and allows the taxpayer access to his or her money faster. Make sure the financial institution routing and account numbers entered on the return are accurate. Incorrect numbers can cause a refund to be delayed - or even deposited into the wrong account.
Sign and date
This is a perennial problem, the IRS says. If you are filing a joint return, both you and your spouse must sign and date the return. E-filers can sign using a self-selected personal identification number (PIN).
Attach to the front
Paper filers need to put all forms on the front of your return. These include W-2S and other forms that reflect tax withholding, as well as other necessary forms and schedules. The IRS reminds those claiming credits that require special documentation, such as the Homebuyers Credit or the Adoption Credit, to include all the suitable records with their returns.
Don't overlook this
The Making Work Pay tax credit - - available in 2009 and 2010 - - is worth up to 0 for individuals and 0 for married couples. Most, but not all, people got it as a reduction to their paycheck withholding. Form 1040 filers must complete Schedule M, attach it to their returns, and claim the credit to benefit from it. (Tax software handles these calculations automatically.)
XML Feeds