For most American taxpayers, the first question they will ask is “When do I file tax return this year?” The answer to this question is simple. You should file your taxes at the end of the year in order to claim your deductions and credits.
When to file
If you are a calendar year taxpayer and your tax year ends on December 31, the deadline to file your personal federal tax return is generally April 15 of each year. If you use the fiscal year (that is, a year that ends on the last day of any month other than December), your tax return must be filed no later than the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of your fiscal year. On the off chance that you’re expected date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legitimate occasion, the due date is deferred to the following work day. For the 2021 tax return, the due date is April 18, 2022 due to the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, District of Columbia. Taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022 due to the Patriot Day holiday in those states.
Your return is consider timely file if the envelope is properly address, postmarked, postmarked, and mailed by the due date. If you file electronically, the date and time in your time zone when your return is transmit determines whether your return was file on time. You will later receive an electronic acknowledgment that the IRS has accepted your e-filed return.
Serving in Military
If you serve or are serving in the military in a combat zone or contingency operation, or if you are hospitalize for an injury receive while serving in such a zone or operation, after the end of your tax year, but before the regular date deadline to file your return, you may have additional time to file and pay your taxes. Generally, you have at least 180 days from the date of departure from the contingency operation or combat zone to file and pay taxes. See Publication 3, Armed Forces Tax Guide.
If the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines that you have been affect by a federally declared disaster, major fire, or terrorist or military action, you may have up to one year from the filing due date to file and pay the taxes, depending on the due date specified by the IRS. If you live and work outside the United States and Puerto Rico or are in active military or naval service outside the United States and Puerto Rico, you may qualify for an automatic two-month extension to file and pay taxes without filing. Structure 4868(SP), Request for Automatic Extension to File the United States Personal Income Tax Return.
We will charge you interest on any amount not paid by the normal due date through the date the tax is paid. See “What if you can’t pay on time?” in the instructions for Form 1040 (and Form 1040- SR (SP)) and the instructions on Form 4868(SP).
How to file
You may want to file your return electronically. You will generally receive your refund within three weeks from the date the IRS receives your return; significantly quicker assuming that you decide to have the discount kept straightforwardly into your checking or bank account. Most professional tax return preparers offer electronic return filing services along with return preparation services and may charge you an additional fee to file your return electronically. Also, if you prepare your tax return on your own using return preparation software, you may have to pay a fee to file electronically. However, you may qualify for a free electronic filing through Free File. For more information about electronic filing in general, visit Electronic Filing Options.
if you file Form 1040 or 1040-SR(SP) on paper, it can take six to eight weeks to process. Be sure to attach:
- A copy of Forms W-2 and any other applicable forms (for example, Form 2439, Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains), on the front of your statement.
- The schedules and related forms behind your return in the order of the numerical sequence that appears in the upper right corner of the schedule or form.
- Form W-2c (an amended Form W-2) if you received it; attaches a copy of both your original Forms W-2 and all Forms W-2c.
- Form W-2G and 1099-R if you had federal income taxes withheld.
Where to file
When you e-file, since it’s transmit electronically, you don’t have to worry about sending it to the right place. However, when filing on paper, send it to the address listed in the instructions for the form you use. See Where to File Your Paper Tax Return With or Without Payment.
When you owe a balance – You can pay any balance due through the IRS Direct Payment service. Otherwise, you can include a check or money order with your paper return or, if you filed electronically, with the 2021 Form 1040V, Pay Stub:
- Make check or money order payable to “United States Treasury.”
- On the front of your payment, include your name, address, taxpayer identification number (Social Security number, ITIN, or EIN), daytime phone number, tax year, and the type of form you are filing (for example, , Form 1040 of 2021).
- Send your loose payment with the return, do not staple or tape your payment or Form 1040-V to your tax return.
- Do not send cash with the return.
If you can’t pay the balance you owe – If you can’t pay the full amount of tax due on your return, the IRS may be able to help you set up a payment plan.
