Procrastinators face Oct. 17 tax deadline

SPRINGFIELD - Although most taxpayers have long since filed their 2004 federal income tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service said today that approximately 68,000 New Jerseyans still face the Oct. 17 filing deadline. Nationwide, approximately two million returns are due by the Oct. 17 deadline. The IRS reminded taxpayers who received an additional extension in August that they should file their returns by Oct. 17 to avoid the late filing penalty, which is generally 5 percent per month of any unpaid tax. However, many taxpayers in presidentially declared disaster areas as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have been granted additional time until Feb. 28, 2006, to file their tax returns. The usual extension deadline is Oct. 15, however, this year that date falls on a Saturday, so extension filers have until Oct. 17 to file their returns. Last year, the IRS received more than 2.1 million returns in October. Taxpayers may file returns electronically until Oct. 17; some may be able to file for free through the “Free File” program at IRS.gov. Taxpayers may use tax software on their own computers or e-file through an authorized provider. These options offer taxpayers security and accuracy in filing their returns, as well as faster refunds. So far this year, over 1.8 million N.J. taxpayers have e-filed their returns, representing nearly a 35 percent increase compared to last year. Nationwide, approximately 68 million taxpayers have filed electronically this year.