Filing by mail
* The 2009 tax returns must be postmarked today. Customers are cautioned to check the posted pick-up schedule where the mail is deposited to ensure their tax documents will be collected and postmarked by the April 15 deadline.
"Mail deposited after the last posted collection time will not be postmarked until the following day," Postal Service spokesman Beth Barnett said.
* The Chattanooga General Mail Facility, 6050 Shallowford Road, will stay open until midnight. Stamps and assistance will be available, along with curbside pickup of those mailing their tax returns late tonight.
PDF: IRS tips for last minute filingGoogle map: Chattanooga post offices Google map: North Georgia post offices
Electronic filing
* The IRS estimates nearly 75 percent of Tennessee's 2.6 million taxpayers and Georgia's 4.1 million taxpayers will file electronically this year, either on their own or with tax professionals.
* E-file information, including access to free file services, is available at www.irs.gov/efile/index.html
* The IRS estimates electronic filing saves money for the government and creates fewer errors. The typical e-file costs 35 cents to process, compared with $2.87 for a comparable paper tax return, IRS spokesman Dan Boone said. "Last-minute filers typically make more errors," he said. "Using tax software, including IRS Free File, will eliminate most mistakes."
Need more time to file?
* Taxpayers who need extra time to file their federal returns this year should file the Form 4868 request for an automatic extension through IRS Free File. The extension gives you an additional six months, until Oct. 15, to file the tax return.
* Extensions don't give you any more time to pay Uncle Sam, however. "We encourage you to pay what you can with your extension and then set up an installment agreement for the rest of your payment, if you can't afford to pay it all at this time," Mr. Boone said.
* Those that don't file for an extension and still owe taxes will be hit with a late penalty, which can be up to 25 percent of what you owe. The interest on delinquent taxes is 4 percent a month, compounded daily, Mr. Boone said.
* The IRS estimates 187,000 Tennesseans will file for extensions on their 2009 returns.
Who is filing late?
* Procrastinators. "There are always some people who almost take a sadistic pleasure in waiting until the last minute and then getting in line at the Post Office to mail their returns on the night of April 15," said Roy Turley, a retired railroad manager who has worked as a volunteer for the VITA tax assistance program for the past 40 years.
* Those who owe taxes. Nearly 30 percent of taxpayers owe the IRS more money from their 2009 earnings. "The people who file early are usually those getting the most money back, and those filing near the deadline are those who still owe money," Mr. Boone said.
Where to get help?
* Customers with tax questions can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040
* On the Web at www.irs.gov
* The United Way of Greater Chattanooga says limited free tax help is available by calling 211, or 265-8000.
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