Missouri tax officials offer last-minute tax tips

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Department of Revenue has advice for Missourians who have not yet filed their returns.

The state's traditional filing deadline of April 15 is extended for three days this year. The new deadline is Monday, April 18, to be consistent with the deadline change for filing federal tax returns. The federal deadline was changed for the District of Columbia's observation of Emancipation Day.

The department encourages people to file their returns electronically, if possible. This method is more convenient, reduces the chance for errors and usually reduces the time waiting for refunds.

The Department also encourages taxpayers to make sure they signed their returns, double check all math computations and see that all the necessary forms are attached.

If taxpayers feel they will not be able to file a complete return by the deadline, they can file for an extension of time to file their return. If you receive an extension of time to file your federal income tax return, you will automatically be granted an extension of time to file your Missouri income tax return. A copy of the federal extension (Federal Form 4868) would need to be attached to your Missouri income tax return when it is filed. A taxpayer who receives an extension of time to file a return must still pay the tax on the original due date.

The Federal Form 4868 is available at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf?por

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Filing for an extension does not extend the time to pay taxes that are due. Taxpayers who expect to owe state income tax, should attach the Missouri extension Form MO-60 to the return along with a payment. A 5 percent penalty will apply on any unpaid balance, but it is still a good idea to file by the deadline because penalties are higher if no return or request for extension is filed.

A copy of the MO-60 and instructions for the form are available at http://dor.mo.gov/forms/MO-60.pdf.

Many taxpayer questions can be answered at the Department's Web site at www.dor.mo.gov. Citizens with specific questions about individual income tax returns may call (573) 751-3505 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or e-mail the Department at income@dor.mo.gov.

The Department also has tax assistance centers located in seven Missouri cities. The centers are in Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis and Springfield. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Citizens who have questions about their tax returns can call or visit the centers, and staff at the centers can also help prepare Missouri returns.

Contact information and office addresses are available at http://dor.mo.gov/contact/assistance.php. Missouri tax forms for Tax Year 2010 and other years are available on the Department's Web site at http://dor.mo.gov/forms/.

All the forms and instructions for the forms can be printed on demand directly from the Web site. To do so, use the print button on the form. Some of the forms can also be filled out on the computer and then printed out and mailed to the Department of Revenue. These forms print with a 2-D barcode that helps speed up processing. The Department's individual income tax forms and the Property Tax Credit forms for this filing season now also allow taxpayers the option of having their refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts.

A toll-free, automated phone number to order forms is (800) 877-6881. The department also has a Forms-by-Fax System available by calling (573) 751-4800. Calls to the Forms-by-Fax System must be made from phones connected to fax service.