Filing Your Tax Return

l work so hard for our money that the thought oftax return is only $500, the penalty.
parting ways often makes us restless, yetThanks to modern technologically we now have
everyone knows that our government wasthe option of filing our taxes faster than before.
designed to function with our tax paying dollars.The fastest way for you to file is electronically or
Many of us out there feel as though the onlyyou may still prefer to file the old fashion way via
thing you can count on is death and taxes. Oftenthe mail. Whether your return is complicated or
times we ask ourselves, "Would the governmenteasy, both these methods will work. The primary
know if I didn't pay my taxes?" Yes, the Internalform for the income tax return is either the 1040
Revenue Department is adamant that we all doNR or 1040 NR-EZ. The average time to process
our part to keep the country economically viable.an accurate tax return is between six and eight
Ever heard of Al Capone? The FBI tried for yearsweeks. Your tax return is due on April 15th. If the
to convict him of his many heinous crimes. Whoincome tax return is late (even one day), there is
finally got him and trotted him off to jail where hean automatic tax due of 25% of your tax return.
died? Yes, the IRS tried him for income taxIf you know that you're going to be late, file an
evasion and put him in prison. Finally, one of theextension, taxpayers are granted an automatic
most notorious criminals of the Twentiethsix month extension for filing an individual income
Century went to jail because he didn't pay histax return.
taxes. Obviously, we all need to understand theFiling an e-turn can be very beneficial to you,
basics of Income taxes or we can join all ofespecially if you are waiting to receive money
those other criminals sitting in jail because theyback from the government. If you should choose
thought they could beat the IRS.to e-file your tax return you then have the option
According to federal and most state laws, if youto use direct deposit, this allows you to receive
made some sort of an income last year, than youyour return in as little as 10 days. Even if you do
must file an income tax return. Income taxnot choose the direct deposit option, you will
returns are required regardless if you had incomeusually receive your tax refund in half the time by
tax withheld or not; while all businesses excepte-filing.
partnerships must file an annual tax return. ForKeep in mind that one of the most important
the individual, when determining whether youthings when filing your federal or state tax return,
must file or not, the IRS takes into account yourif filing by mail, is remembering to sign it. In some
income, filing status, and age.cases you may need to get a hold of your
We must understand that the requirement ofpreviously filed tax return. You can obtain this
filing an income tax return is not voluntary, ratherinformation in a written request to the IRS.
mandatory and extremely important. The InternalIt is extremely important to file an income tax
Revenue Service has clearly stated out thereturn. There are several non-profit organizations
requirements for filing in the following codeswith trained volunteers who provide basic income
§§ 6011(a), 6012(a), ettax return preparation and free tax counseling for
seq. If you fail to file an income tax return it issenior citizens. If you need help, contact the IRS
considered a Class A misdemeanor with aor a tax service. Tax returns leave no room for
maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $10000mistake.
fine. While the penalty for filing a frivolous income