Tax day - April 18th this year

The IRS expects to receive approximately 142 million federal individual tax returns nationwide this year. Tax Day or last day to file 2010 federal tax forms, without requesting an extension from the IRS, is Monday, April 18, 2011.

Of the 142 million total 2010 federal tax returns IRS expects to receive this year, approximately 30% will be sent to the IRS via the mail; approximately 70% are expected to be filed electronically.

Using the above percentages, IRS expects to receive approximately 43 million federal tax returns by mail; and approximately 99 million federal tax returns electronically.

Most Americans do file their tax returns early, but approximately 30% of Americans on average wait until the last week, to file/mail or request an extension. This is because of owing money, being too busy beforehand, or simple procrastination.

Of the 142 million federal tax forms projected to be filed this year, approximately 77% of Americans are expected to receive a refund; 23% will most likely owe money, according to the IRS.

For tax assistance from the IRS, customers can toll the IRS toll-free hotline, 1-800-829-1040; or access the IRS web at www.irs.gov

Tax filers and mailers can also download the tax forms and schedules from www.irs.gov for FREE. Most Post Offices nationwide no longer provide tax forms in their lobbies.

The IRS offers printed forms and booklets at its IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide.

Most common mistakes Americans make in filing their paper tax returns, according to the IRS, are:

• Social Security Numbers are wrong or left off.
• Math errors.
• Forgetting to attached forms and schedules, i.e., W-2’s, 1099’s, etc.
• Forgetting to sign your form