Information on tax return due dates, some answers to the most-commonly-asked questions from clients during tax season, and some additional resources I’d recommend; enjoy!
The IRS will begin accepting individual tax returns on January 19. Of course, most taxpayers won’t receive their information returns (Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, 1095, etc.) until the first week of February, so at our firm (which specializes in small businesses and more complex individual returns) we typically wait to file until February 6th.
Corporate tax returns (both C- and S-Corps) are due by March 15, and partnership tax returns are due April 18th. (Spoiler alert: stay tuned for an upcoming post on due date changes for next year that will line these up better with individual tax due dates and extensions.)
Individual tax returns are due April 18 (Saturday, April 16, 2016 is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, and the holiday is observed on Friday, April 15… this pushes the tax deadline to Monday, April 18, since the IRS deadlines never land on weekends).
Some important tax-time resources for IRS and Illinois taxpayers:
Where’s My IRS Refund — https://www.irs.gov/Refunds
Where’s My IDOR Refund — https://mytax.illinois.gov –> Click on Individuals –> Click on “Where’s My Refund?”
Look Up IDOR Estimated/Extension Tax Payments — https://mytax.illinois.gov –> Click on Individuals –> Click on “Look up my estimated/extension payments”
Order an IRS tax return transcript online — https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
Order a copy of a prior tax return — https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf
Make An Online Payment to the IRS — https://www.irs.gov/uac/EFTPS-The-Electronic-Federal-Tax-Payment-System
Make An Online Payment to IDOR — https://mytax.illinois.gov –> Click on Individuals –> Click on “Make an IL-1040, IL-1040-ES, or IL-505-I payment”
Where’s My IRS Amended Return — https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1
2016 Standard Mileage Rates — https://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/2016-Standard-Mileage-Rates-for-Business-Medical-and-Moving-Announced
The Affordable Care Act and your tax return — https://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/Individuals-and-Families/Health-Care-Law-and-Your-Tax-Return
Contact the IRS by phone — https://www.irs.gov/uac/Telephone-Assistance
Contact your local IRS Office (long lines; don’t recommend it) — https://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1