Don’t Miss the New Tax Deadline: Key Updates for This Year

There is a new tax deadline, now what?

Most of you are aware that the new tax deadline for 2020 has changed to July 15th. Normally, if you don’t file your tax return and pay in full, you can expect penalties and interest. However, the effects of COVID-19 have caused those penalties and interest accruals be deferred until after the new deadline of July 15th, 2020. While it should come as no surprise, there are plenty of reasons that responsible taxpayers aren’t prepared for tax time. Tax forms get lost or sent to the wrong address, disasters take focus away from filing, and major taxable events occur that can be difficult report. Luckily, the IRS allows for an automatic extension to file! By filing Form 4868 you will have until October 15th to avoid the late filing penalty, but your taxes are still due July 15th this year and on April 15th of each normal year. Just because you don’t file by the initial deadline, you should estimate how much you will owe and send it with your extension.

Where and how do I file an extension before the tax deadline?

Ideally, your tax advisor will be able to file an extension for you before the tax deadline. In order to file on your own, the IRS provides free extensions through their FreeFile software on www.IRS.gov. There are other online services that will file an extension for you such as Turbo Tax, File Later, and other tax preparation software. You can file your own form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, which is made available to the public on www.IRS.gov. To file an extension, you will need to fill out your identifying information (name, address, SSN), total tax payments you’ve made so far, and an estimate of your total tax liability.

What do I do if I think I will owe the IRS?

It’s not always an easy task to guess what you will owe, but doing so could save you a big chunk of penalties and interest. If you owe the IRS every year, it might be a good idea to assume last year’s taxes will be like the current year. Tax laws change regularly, but if your income was the same than you can expect a similar tax bill. If you expect to owe but can’t figure out how much, send the IRS the highest amount you anticipate owing. By doing this, you can be confident that you will be filing for a refund and potentially save tons of penalties and interest.

Can’t make those IRS payments?

If your primary worry is not being able to pay back the IRS by the tax deadline, don’t let this keep you from filing. When you have your tax documents together and are ready to file, don’t delay. If you didn’t pay by April 15th then any outstanding balance will continue to accrue penalties and interest. Once you file your return, you will find out how much you have underpaid the IRS. If you owe less than $50,000 to the IRS, you can find the Online Payment Agreement Application on the IRS website. The IRS will then review your application and set up monthly payments if approved. These payments will be set for the same day each month and will continue until the debt is paid in full.

There is still time…..

There have been other aspects that have changed due to the automatic extended deadline. First and second quarterly estimated payments and the IRA contribution deadline have been extended to July 15th, 2020. This means that if you haven’t paid your quarterly estimated payments by the usual quarterly deadlines of April 15th and June 15th, then you have until July 15th before penalties and interest are applied for underpaying. This also means that if you haven’t contributed to an IRA yet for 2019, then you still have until July 15th to make that 2019 contribution without being penalized.

At Molen & Associates our tax advisors are here to help you.  If you have questions we are readily available to answer and guide you with your tax and financial needs.

Austin Long
Tax Advisor

 

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We have been using Molen & Associates for years for tax preparation. They are very professional and easy to work with. No notes! Give them a try!
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My first time using Molen Tax Services. I was very pleased. Everyone I encountered was very friendly and professional. I will be using the company next year.
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If you are wanting honest and sincere tax preparation, this is where you need to go. We have worked with other well know tax preparation companies and ended up at the bottom of their priority list because we chose not to get the Platinum advance or whatever it was called this year. We had to file a previous year along with our current year. Brittany was awesome. She was able to calm the nerves associated with filing taxes and tax preparation as a whole. She answered ALL of our questions and even asked questions that we would have never thought of. She made us feel that there was nothing to worry about, She was looking out for us and not to get us. We will be asking for her again this next year. I'm definitely recommending Molen & Asociates to everyone I know. The fact that they are booked solid during tax season only confirms the fact that they are good at what they do.
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Grateful to have found this place and its people. Grace and Kathy have been patient with me as a new business owner. They are supportive and attentive with their knowledge and time. I highly recommend any new business owner to use Molen for their bookeeping and tax services.
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Every year we have done business with Molen for our tax return prep and business advice, we leave with a sense of confidence that we have chosen the most qualified people to take care of us in all of Houston. We would like to extend our gratitude to Brittany for being thorough, friendly, and superb at doing her job. Although we have the option of handling everything electronically, we choose to go in for the final signing just to have that person to person friendly interaction.
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I have used Molen and Associates for at least 15 years or more for my tax preparation. They are very professional and very friendly in all aspects of the process. I'm on my second tax preparer and feel that shows you they must be a good company to work for. I'm very happy with how my tax return is completed each year and how honest they are, I have no worries the IRS won't accept my return. I highly recommend Molen & Associates if you are looking for someone to do your taxes.
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They have made filling our taxes less burdensome. It reassuring to know they are there every step of the way and they work hard to create lasting customer connections through accuracy and attention to detail.
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Professional, trustworthy, friendly; feels like family. Best team to work with.

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