Tax Day by Tax Year - 2012 Due Dates and Filing Deadlines for 2011 Tax Returns
Tax Day 2012: Tax Deadlines for Tax Year 2011
*The traditional tax return filing deadline is April 15 of each year, but April 15, 2012 is a Sunday and April 16, 2012 falls on Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia.
Federal Tax Return
Preparing a federal tax return on efile.com is fast and easy. And if you have a simple return, it can even be free! If your return is more complicated, you still get our Lowest Price Guarantee and 4 Pricing Advantages.
Electronic filing is the safest way to file a tax return, and the fastest way to get your tax refund. And efile.com is the best way to get your biggest tax refund possible. Create a free account and get started on your tax return by clicking the button below, or compare online tax services first.
State Tax Return
On efile.com, you can prepare state tax returns when you prepare your federal tax return. You can then efile your state return(s) together with your federal return or separately.
Unlike other online tax services, efile.com allows you to prepare as many state returns as you need to for one low price.
If you already filed federal and you only need to efile state returns, you can do that on efile.com, too. Get started by clicking the button below, or find out how to efile only state returns.
Federal Tax Extension
Why:
A tax extension grants you more time to file or efile your tax return, but it does not give you more time to pay your tax liability. If you owe taxes and you are not ready to file your tax return, you should file for an extension and pay at least 90% of your tax bill to avoid late payment penalties.
What if I cannot afford to pay my taxes?
If you do not owe taxes and you are expecting a tax refund, you may not need to file a tax extension at all, because IRS penalties are based on the amount of taxes you owe.
When:
Tax extension requests are due on the same day as tax returns. An extension gives you 6 more months to file a tax return. After April 17, 2012), you can no longer efile a tax extension for 2011, but you can still prepare and efile a tax return.
How:
It is simple to efile a tax extension online with efile.com, and it is also FREE!. Learn more about federal tax extensions, or create an efile.com account and get started by clicking the button below:
Not sure whether to efile a tax return or a tax extension?
State Tax Extension
State tax extensions generally function the same way as federal tax extensions, but they are sometimes requested differently. Some states accept an efile extension form, some states require no form at all if you don't owe taxes, and other states honor a federal tax extension. You should check the website of your state's tax agency for specific extension rules and deadlines, or read more about state tax extensions.
If the state accepts tax extensions electronically, you can efile it on efile.com.
Late Federal Tax Return
After April 17, 2012, you can still prepare and efile a tax return on efile.com. If you owe taxes and you file or efile late without getting a tax extension, the IRS will generally charge penalties based on the amount you owe. There are also penalties for paying your taxes late, even if you got an extension. However, the late filing penalties are more severe, so you should try to file on time even if you owe taxes and can't pay.
If you owe taxes and are already late, you should file a tax return immediately and explore alternative IRS options to pay tax.
If you expect a tax refund and you file late, there is no real penalty other than the effective delay of your refund.
Amended Tax Return (Tax Amendment)
Tax Tip: Submit your 2011 Tax Return by April 17, 2012 to avoid penalties and interest!
Why:
If you need to correct an error that you made, or if you need to add information to a tax return that has already been accepted by the IRS, you can prepare and file an amended tax return (a tax amendment).
When:
If an amended return results in you owing tax, there is no deadline for the amendment.
If you wish to file an amended return to claim a tax refund, be aware that you only have 3 years before the refund becomes forfeit.
How:
You can prepare an amended tax return for the current tax year on efile.com. The IRS does not accept amendments electronically, so you can print your completed amendment from your efile.com account and then mail it to the IRS. Learn more about preparing and filing a tax amendment.
Remember, If you amend a federal tax return, this might also affect your state tax return for that year. Please see the website of your state tax agency for information about how they handle tax amendments.
More about how to file tax amendments.
Previous Year Tax Return
Why:
If you owe taxes or if you wish to claim a tax refund for a previous tax year, you can prepare and file a tax return for that year.
When:
There is no IRS deadline for overdue previous year tax returns, but in order to claim a tax refund for a certain year, you must file a tax return for that year within 3 years of the original due date. If you wait longer than 3 years, any tax refund is forfeit.
On the other hand, past due taxes do not disappear. If you owe taxes for a previous tax year, the IRS may charge you late filing and late payment penalties plus interest on taxes owed.
How:
efile is no longer available for any tax year before 2011. Your options to prepare and file previous year tax returns are:
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Prepare and file on your own: Download and complete the tax forms for the appropriate tax year:
Tax Year 2010 ·Tax Year 2009 · Tax Year 2008 · Tax Year 2007 · Tax Year 2006 · Tax Year 2005 · Tax Year 2004
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Prepare and file with us: Work with a tax professional online. Instead of visiting a local tax office, you can have your tax return completed by a real TaxPro.
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