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Take Care of your Taxes Ahead of the Last Minute Rush in April

Perhaps the best reason to file your taxes is to save money. Commonly, online and in-person tax preparers charge more starting March 15. Also, before you pay someone else to do your taxes check the IRS File Free program that includes self guided tax preparation software.

We’re fewer than two months away from tax filing day on April 15, however, there are numerous reasons why you don’t want to wait to file.

KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

The first day that you could file your taxes was two weeks ago on January 29, however, the vast majority of Americans wait until the final month to prepare and file. April 15 is one of numerous tax filing deadlines this year depending on your fiscal circumstances.

There’s also another deadline on April 15 – estimated tax payments for the first quarter of 2024. Also, if you can’t file by the 15th, you can file form 4868 for a six-month extension, good until the middle of October.

Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau in Springfield, Pamela Hernandez says there are various types of tax preparers and it’s a good idea to figure out which is right for you.

“So there’s everything from a non-credentialed tax preparer. They have to have an active tax identification number to the IRS and are only regulated at the state level, they don’t have a national license. All the way up to tax attorney.”

The BBB recommends being wary of tax refund companies that offer large and fast refunds.

Also, you shouldn’t sign your tax refund if asked by a tax preparer, in addition to reviewing your tax return before it’s filed.

Before you pay, there’s plenty of free tax information atirs.gov/filing.

Copyright 2024 Four States Public Radio. To see more, visit Four States Public Radio.

Since 2017 Fred Fletcher-Fierro has driven up Highway 171 through thunderstorms, downpours, snow, and ice storms to host KRPS’s Morning Edition. He’s also a daily reporter for the station, covering city government, elections, public safety, arts, entertainment, culture, sports and more. Fred has also spearheaded and overseen a sea change in programming for KRPS from a legacy classical station to one that airs a balance of classical, news, jazz, and cultural programming that better reflects the diverse audience of the Four States. For over two months in the fall of 2022 he worked remotely with NPR staff to relaunch krps.org to an NPR style news and information website.

In the fall of 2023 Fred was promoted to Interim General Manager and was appointed GM in Feburary of 2024.