Resources: Guides
The Tax Deadline Has Passed, Now What?
When was the tax deadline?
The regular tax deadline during the 2024 tax season, was April 15, 2024. For those who requested a tax extension, the deadline was October 15, 2024.
- If you did not owe taxes, there is no penalty fee, and requesting an extension was not required. However, if you owed taxes, requesting an extension helped you avoid a penalty fee for late filing.
- However, for taxpayers who owed federal taxes—even with an extension—interest on unpaid taxes began accruing on April 16, 2024.
What if I missed the filing deadline?
If You Owe Taxes and Didn’t File
If you owe taxes and did not file by April 15, and missed both the April 15 and October 15 deadlines, here’s what to expect:
- Late Filing Penalty: If you didn’t request an extension by April 15, you could still file late, but a penalty fee applied to your federal return. For example, if you filed three months after April 15, you could no longer request an extension from the IRS—you would simply file late, with penalties and interest added. While a tax extension waives the late filing penalty, it does not stop interest from accruing on owed taxes.
- Interest on Unpaid Taxes: Interest on unpaid federal and state taxes started accruing immediately after April 15, regardless of whether an extension was filed.
- Minimize Additional Fees: To avoid rising interest fees, file as soon as possible. Pay as much of the owed taxes as you can, even if you cannot pay the full amount. Explore different payment options offered by the IRS to manage your balance.
If You Do Not Owe Taxes and Didn’t File
If you don’t owe taxes and missed the April 15 and October 15 deadlines, fines and penalties do not apply. You can still file late, but make sure to still file as soon as possible to claim any refund owed to you.
For example, if you were eligible for the third economic impact payment (stimulus payment) issued in 2021 and haven’t claimed it yet, you can do so by filing. Please note that May 17, 2024, was the final opportunity to claim the first and second stimulus payments. April 15, 2025, will be the last opportunity to claim the third payment.
Additionally, if you qualify for tax credits such as the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) or Child Tax Credit, you’ll need to file in order to access these cash-back credits.
- You have three years to claim the WFTC.
- You have three years to claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Need help determining if you need to file? Click here.
How do I check the status of my refund?
Federal Refund:
Check the status of your federal refund on the IRS website here.
For e-filed returns, refunds can take up to 21 days to process. For amended returns and returns sent by mail, it may take four weeks or more. However, if your return requires corrections or additional review, it could take longer. For more answers to frequently asked questions regarding federal refunds, click here. If there was an error in regard to where the federal refund payment should be made to, click here.
For additional support with a federal refund, contact the IRS at 800-829-1954 (automated system) or 800-829-1040 (to speak with a representative) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
WA State Credit
Check the status of your Washington state refund on the Department of Revenue website here.
Refunds for e-filed California returns can take up to 90 days, while refunds for paper-filed returns may take longer. For more answers to frequently asked questions regarding WA state refunds, click here.
For additional support with a Working Families Tax Credit application, contact the Department of Revenue at 360-763-7300 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (closed Wednesday 8 to 9 a.m.).
How can I make a payment to the IRS or FTB?
Make Payments to the IRS
There are multiple options when it comes to paying taxes if you owe:
- Online: You may submit a payment when filing an extension or taxes online with your complete bank account and bank routing number. Another fast and secure way to make any payment is on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/payments.
- Phone: You may also call the IRS general line to make a payment through the automated phone system at 1-800-829-1040.
- Mail: You may make payments by mail using a personal check or money order. It is important to include relevant notes with your check or money order payment—such as which tax year you would like the payment applied to (for example, “Tax Year 2023”) and your social security number or ITIN on the check memo. Checks written to the IRS are written to the Department of Treasury.
Here is a sample check with relevant information you should include:
The address where you may send IRS payments:
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 802501
Cincinnati, OH 45280-2501
How do I fix a mistake on my return?
It is easiest to amend (fix a mistake on) a return using the same method used to originally file. Through MyFreeTaxes.org, options to amend your return are closed from October 15 until the tax season reopens in January 2025.
- Option 1: If You Filed with a Free Tax Prep Site
If you filed at a VITA site, it is recommended to amend at the same site. If that site is unavailable, you can amend at a different site, but they will need a little extra time to enter the original return details. - Option 2: If You Self Filed Online
If you self filed online, the software you used will likely have a method to amend your return. Consult the instructions on your filing software to see if it’s capable of filing your amendment. - Option 3: Amending using a different method than the one you used to file
If you are eligible for MyFreeTaxes software, you can prepare an amendment with us for free! If you would like to file a paper amendment by mail, check out these video guides:
Are there payment relief options?
If you have a large tax bill and are unable to pay it all at once, you have the ability to apply for a payment plan. First, you’ll need to see if you qualify, then you’ll need to apply directly with the IRS or Franchise Tax Board.
To apply for a payment plan with the IRS (federal taxes) click here.
Read more about payment relief options here.
I lost my tax return. Where can I get a copy?
If you lost a copy of a previous year tax return, the first step should be to revisit the filing method you used to file your taxes, to request a copy.
If you used one of our filing methods:
- In-Person Option:
VITA sites are not required to archive and issue additional copies of filers’ tax returns. If you have a VITA appointment scheduled, you can ask at that time if they can provide an additional copy of your return. - File on my own option:
Log back into the tax software to access the return you filed through the self-filing software. - Virtual with help option:
Contact [email protected] to request a copy of a return filed through Get Your Refund.
Other alternatives:
You can request a tax transcript from the IRS free of charge. Alternatively, you can request an original copy of your tax return from the IRS for a fee.
For more information on how to do this, click here.
Can I still file after the tax deadline with MyFreeTaxesWA.org?
We offer free filing options after the April 15 tax deadline, but not after the October 15 deadline. If you missed the October 15 deadline, you can revisit our website to file the following January.
Self filing |
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Online with help |
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Can I file previous year taxes with MyFreeTaxesWA.org?
For free help with previous year returns, MyFreeTaxesWA.org offers two options:
- In-Person Assistance: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites can typically prepare up to three prior-year returns, with some locations able to prepare up to five. Please check with your local site for specific details.
- Virtual Help: Our virtual assistance option covers up to three previous tax years.
Important: Previous year returns cannot be filed using the self-filing option. The self-filing option is available for current-year returns only.
I received a IRS mailed notification, can I get help?
Read more about IRS mailed notifications on our website here.
If you need assistance with understanding or responding to IRS notifications, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) may be able to help. LITCs offer free or low-cost services to individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS or need help with tax-related issues. They provide representation in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes, and can assist with correcting account problems and responding to IRS notices. Additionally, LITCs offer education and outreach in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language (ESL).
To find an LITC near you, visit the IRS website.
What can I do to prepare to file?
We’ve got resources to help you get ready. You can prepare by reviewing the following: