What do I do now that I've missing the deadline to file a state tax extension?

April 15, 2008 9:06 PM

Posting for a friend: I just filed my Federal Tax extension at 12:00PM midnight. It said it got filed - did I make it? Also, I was not able to file any extension for State Tax in time for the deadline. What will happen and what should I do now?
posted by pinksoftsoap to Law & Government (9 answers total)

In my experience, snail mail sent the day after the deadline has never been a problem.

I wouldn't expect that they actually start paying attention to the post mark until the wave of stuff mailed on the 15th has died down (but I have no specific knowledge of how this is actually handled).
posted by winston at 9:12 PM on April 15, 2008

I know for snail mail as long as the postmark says April 15th you are good - that's why some of the post offices stay open until midnight. I'm not an expert but I would be very surprised if there was any problem there. Mail the state form (if there is one) asap although in California you don't need one. The more important thing is that your total taxes for 2007 are due by April 15th otherwise there will be interest and penalties for paying late. If he thinks that he might have underpaid he should get the additional payment in as soon as he can to keep the extra fees as low as possible.
posted by metahawk at 9:30 PM on April 15, 2008

pretty complete piece in wednesday's Wall St Journal about this stuff...

(link may be behind paywall; go buy the paper if it is...)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120830327498517807.html?mod=todays_us_personal_journal
posted by jouster at 9:46 PM on April 15, 2008

Response by poster: Sorry, forgot to mention - the extension was filed through e-File at 12AM midnight, not 12PM.
posted by pinksoftsoap at 10:08 PM on April 15, 2008

What state is your friend in? Will they be getting a refund, or did they otherwise already pay what is owed? If so, there probably won't be any penalties (at least, in my state). The penalties are usually a percentage of what you owe. In California, you also get an automatic extension to file until October, so if they owe money, (and if I understand everything), they might get hit with a penalty for failure to pay right away, but not for a failure to file.

You can look up the real penalties and interest for your state in the instructions for doing the state return, under the penalties and interest line item near the end. It might refer you to one other form. There are a few: penalty for failure to file, penalty for failure to pay, and interest (and then unapplicable ones, like a penalty for attempted fraud). For federal returns, you don't have to actually estimate your own penalties or interest -- they'll bill you if they want to. My personal guess is that if your friend is really just a day late, they won't bill him or her at all.
posted by salvia at 10:11 PM on April 15, 2008

Response by poster: He's in New York.
posted by pinksoftsoap at 10:16 PM on April 15, 2008

I think it might have been here, or maybe it was an exIRS parent at a sporting event, but I have heard that even being two or three days late is not a problem. I say this only to ease your fears and would never try it myself if it could be avoided. I have always managed to be on time, although sometimes I have joined the midnight post office party. Mail it tomorrow and don't sweat it. Include the money, because that is what this is all about. A
posted by caddis at 10:42 PM on April 15, 2008

Who said it got filed, and what did it say? IIRC, last night was pretty straightforward (unlike a couple of years ago), so if you got an ACK from the feds, it's filed. If you got an ACK from your filing program, you're probably OK. As far as state extensions, and consequences thereof, check with the state -- the rules and consequences vary. That information is most likely in the tax form instructions.
posted by jlkr at 3:33 AM on April 16, 2008

Best answer: The Straight Dope addressed this a while back.
posted by TedW at 4:48 AM on April 16, 2008