If you wait until tomorrow, then you waited too long.
Yes, that annual rite of spring, income tax day, is upon us.
Today is April 15, and unless you file for an extension then your federal income tax return should be in the mail-or completed online if you are eligible-by midnight tonight.
And, as usual, if you were among those who waited until the last day to complete and mail your return, you will have plenty of company.
You can expect to see lines of cars at the mail drop-off boxes at post offices in Texarkana and around the region. Professional tax preparers are sure to have a busy day as well. The best bet is to go early and get the task over with.
Income taxes in the U.S. date back to the Civil War-and the concept faced legal challenges for years. It was the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed in 1912, that gave Congress the power to levy income taxes directly.
At first, the deadline to file taxes was March 1. In 1910 the deadline was pushed to March 15, where it remained until 1955 when April 15 was named tax day-though that can change if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday.
To avoid interest and penalties, the Internal Revenue Service offers a few tips for those filing at the last minute:
1. Double check your figures and math.
2. Double check all the Social Security numbers on the forms.
3. Be sure to sign your form and, if filing a joint return, have your spouse do so as well.
4. Attach all the required schedules and documentation.
5. Get it mailed today or send in a request for extension.
No one enjoys paying taxes. But having to cough up even more money in penalties and interest for filing and paying late is worse. So if you have put off the unpleasant, now is the time to face the music.