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April 15, 2021, is the Last Day to Claim Your 2017 Refund!

2017 refund

Like many taxpayers, you may think hey, the deadline is a ways away.

This is a common mistake when it comes to claiming a prior-year refund. We tend to forget that time moves quickly and when the deadline comes around, it becomes an unnecessarily stressful time.

Here’s how to change that.

Dates to remember:

October 15, 2018, was the e-file and extension deadline for your 2017 tax return. After this date, you’re required to paper-file your tax return. Therefore, you can no longer e-file your 2017 tax return.

Continue reading “April 15, 2021, is the Last Day to Claim Your 2017 Refund!”
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When Does the 2017 Tax Season Start for Filing 2016 Tax Returns?

The holidays are upon us and so is the 2017 Tax Season!

Before getting wrapped up in the feasting and celebrating, it might be smart to think about where you stashed that box of receipts for the year. That’s right! The 2017 tax season has snuck up on us yet again. But let’s get one thing straight. This is not a time to panic. In fact, if you’re reading this, you’re most likely ahead of the game already!

We’re here to help you get your tax situation in order. That way you can focus on the important things this time of year calls for.

Dates and Deadlines

It’s important to have some dates in mind or even marked on your calendar. Here’s the deal:

  • January 1st marks the launch of the RapidTax 2016 application! You can start submitting your accounts with us and get in line for the IRS start date to e-file.
  • January 23rd is when the IRS opens up the doors to e-file your return. If you have already submitted your 2016 return with RapidTax, then you wouldn’t need to worry about this date. We’ll submit it to the IRS for you.
  • April 18th marks Tax Day for individual returns! It is also the last day to file a tax extension. Here’s a tip… if you aren’t able to file your return by this date, then FILE AN EXTENSION (psst, it give you an extra 6 months to file, penalty-free)

Receipts and Documents

When preparing your tax return, you’ll probably need to have a few things handy. Here’s what you can work on digging up: Continue reading “When Does the 2017 Tax Season Start for Filing 2016 Tax Returns?”

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7 Filing Tips to Get Your Tax Refund ASAP

Waiting for your tax refund can really test your patience.

Unfortunately, we can’t speed up the actual processing time of your tax return once the IRS gets hold of it. However, there are actions we can take to ensure a smoother journey through the IRS database. Let’s take a look at seven steps you can take when filing your tax return this year.

E-File your tax return.

Oh, how far technology has come. You can e-file your tax return worry-free until the April deadline. After that date, you can still e-file until the October deadline. However, if you can’t get it filed before mid-April and you’re not sure if you’re getting a refund, you’ll want to file an extension. Either way, the IRS processing time is quickest with e-filing. Compared to mailing in your return, you could be speeding up your refund by almost a month!

Choose direct deposit to receive your refund.

Many businesses offer a direct deposit option to their employees, so it only makes sense that the IRS would offer the same. After all, it’s your money. This is preferred by many taxpayers, based on convenience. On top of that, waiting on direct deposit will eat up less of your time than waiting on a check in the mail.

Make sure you’re the only one claiming your dependent(s).

This can be easier said than done in some cases. However, if you know someone who could also claim your dependent on their tax return, do your best to verify that they won’t be. Why? A person can only be claimed once per year. If a dependent is claimed by more than one person, then the second tax return to claim them will be rejected by the IRS. If the second person to claim the same dependent appeals to the IRS, the IRS may pull the first return for review, to make sure that taxpayer was allowed to claim the dependent. In either case, this will ultimately delay your tax refund. Continue reading “7 Filing Tips to Get Your Tax Refund ASAP”