Fairbanks tax preparer says there are still options if you can’t make today’s filing deadline

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - May 17 is tax day this year - nearly a month later than normal after being delayed from the traditional date of April 15 for a second year due to the ongoing pandemic.

The IRS requires taxes be paid by the deadline to avoid late penalties, interest and potential legal trouble. However, for those that are running behind, there are still options.

Dolores Antesberger is a tax preparer at Liberty Tax who says people that normally don’t owe money can wait to file and still get their full refund with no penalties.

For those that usually owe taxes, she said to file an extension that will push the deadline back to October 15. However Antesberger said you are still required to pay if you file an extension. “You still have to pay your federal taxes if you owe money and you will receive penalties and interest. So even if though you filed an extension you still owe penalties and interest if you don’t pay by the deadline of May 17.”

Antesberger says that people can file an extension online or by going to a tax preparer’s office. She said one way to lessen late fees is to pay an estimated tax deposit based on previous years’ tax returns. She also said there is still enough time Monday to file taxes without needing to file for an extension or file late.

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