If you’re reading this on April 15, you’ve officially reached the final hours of the 2025 tax season, and wondering about last-minute tax filing.
But don’t panic, there’s still time to file your 2024 tax return before midnight and avoid penalties. Whether you’re e-filing from your laptop or mailing in a paper return, here’s exactly what to do right now.
1. Choose How You’ll File, Electronically or by Mail
E-filing is your fastest and safest option. Platforms like TurboTax or H&R Block offer last-minute submission support and automatically calculate your refund or payment due. Most will time-stamp your return the moment you hit submit, so even if it’s 11:59 PM, you’re good.
If you’re filing by mail, your return must be postmarked by April 15. Head to a USPS location that’s open late (many extend hours today). Ask for proof of mailing, like Certified Mail or a receipt with a visible timestamp.
2. Can’t Pay Your Full Tax Bill? Still File.
Even if you can’t pay everything you owe, file your return anyway. That way, you avoid the hefty “failure to file” penalty, which is worse than the “failure to pay” penalty.
You can set up a payment plan with the IRS through their Online Payment Agreement portal. Options include:
- Short-term plan (pay within 180 days)
- Long-term installment plan
Don’t ignore the bill, doing something is better than doing nothing.
3. Request an Extension If You’re Not Ready
Still gathering documents? You can file IRS Form 4868 today for a six-month extension. This gives you until October 15, 2025 to file your return.
Important: This does not delay your payment deadline. If you expect to owe taxes, estimate and pay what you can by tonight to avoid interest.
Most major e-filing platforms support extension filing, or you can download the form directly from the IRS website.
4. Double-Check Before You Hit Submit
Whether you’re filing online or on paper, give your return a quick scan for common errors:
- Misspelled name or wrong SSN
- Incorrect bank account for direct deposit
- Math errors or missing W-2s/1099s
Mistakes can delay refunds and trigger IRS notices. A quick once-over could save you major headaches.
5. Save Copies and Confirm Submission
Keep a digital or printed copy of your filed return. If e-filing, you should receive a confirmation email. If mailing, hang on to the receipt and tracking number.
TL;DR: It’s April 15, and yes, you can still make the tax deadline. For last-minute tax filing in 2025, e-file if possible, file even if you can’t pay, and don’t skip submitting something. You’ve got hours, you can still make it.
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