Tax expert gives last-minute filing advice

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - We have officially made it to the end of tax season as Monday marked the last day to finish your taxes to have them filed on time.

Western Mass News spoke with Steven Kowalski, a Liberty Tax franchise owner, who told us that the “Number one word today is going to be ‘relax.’ It’s going to be okay.”

Monday marked the last day for people to finish their taxes to file on time. “We’re seeing people come in unprepared,” Kowalski added.

Kowalski said it can be stressful for those filing their taxes last-minute, especially with missing forms and documentation. “They brought what they think they need and, unfortunately, with a short period of time left, we can’t accumulate the information that we really need,” he explained.

The two most common things people forget when they come into the office are second and third W-2 forms and the documentation for Massachusetts medical insurance. If you do not make the April 15 deadline, Liberty Tax will have to file an extension for an individual. “An extension doesn’t do anything except delay some of the penalties. There is still going to be penalties if you don’t file on time,” said Kowalski.

Typically, that penalty could be five percent of the amount that’s owed, per month, with interests that accumulates. Before coming into the office, make sure you check that you have all the necessary documents needed.

Kowalski said there are three things you should know about filing your taxes today: bring a current form of identification, mark on your calendar to file earlier next year, and understand there will be wait times.

Liberty Tax will be open till 7 p.m. Monday and accountants expect the crowd to pick up when people are getting out of work.