Is There Still Time to File My 2016 Taxes?

The tax deadline this year has obviously passed, and most people have pushed the subject of taxes to the furthest part of their minds. However, for those who still haven’t filed a return, the tax season continues. That begs the question: is there still time to file your 2016 taxes? The answer is definitely yes. For those who filed for an extension, this comes as no surprise. However, for those who missed the deadline without filing for an extension, this may come as a surprise.

First off, if you filed for an extension, then you know you have six more months (until October 18) to file your tax return. However, you shouldn’t wait to file because even though that extension allows you more time, it does not give you more time to pay off your tax bill. Therefore, if you owe money to the IRS, you will be paying interest on the unpaid amount every month it is late.

Furthermore, whether you filed an extension or not, you should still file your return as soon as possible. The penalty for not filing is much greater than it is for filing late. Plus, when you don’t file, you not only get charged with additional interest, but the IRS also charges penalties, which are much higher than the interest rates.

One more thing to keep in mind is if you have a legitimate excuse for being late, the IRS may pardon the penalties, although you will still be responsible for any interest accrued. However, it must be a good excuse, and not having sufficient funds is not considered a good excuse.

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