Oct. 1: OK, let’s cut to the October chase. The deadline for most procrastinators to file their extended 2023 tax year returns is just 15 days away. Whether you’re just starting on that Form 1040 (really?) or just need to add the finishing touches, check out the ol' blog's monthly tax tip links a bit higher up in this column. The January through April ones that focused on the main Tax Day deadline should be most helpful.
Most taxpayers file electronically, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Free File option is still available through Oct. 15 for taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less, regardless of your filing status.
One of the eight tax software companies participating this year should meet your no-cost filing needs. If your income is too high, you still can file for free by using Free File's Free Forms option.
Oct. 7: Halloween brings us all types of scary situations, but Mother Nature can be a true witch. She showed her dark side late last month as deadly and devastating Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Florida Big Bend, and then barreled through the south. Even as rescue and recovery efforts continue for Helene, our eyes remain on the tropics. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30 and late-season storms are not uncommon. So, if you haven’t already, make your storm preparations.
We’re still far from the predicted number of tropical systems for the 2024 season. Uncle Sam's official forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center said we could get 17 to 25 total named storms, which are those with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, eight to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes, meaning winds of 74 mph or higher. Four to seven becoming major hurricanes; that’s category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher.
Here’s hoping their storm predictions were too high. But regardless of the count, it only takes one to wreck your world. So, get ready for whatever dangerous weather that’s common where you live. If that is hurricanes, the countdown clock above can help you keep track of how many more days you have to worry about tracking any size or type of tropical storms. You also might want to check out the ol' blog's special Storm Warnings collection of special pages with posts offer tax advice on preparing for, recovering from, and helping those who sustain damages from the many ways that that weather goes wild.
Oct. 10: Do you work as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers are part of your compensation? I hope you get all the tips you deserve for doing your job well. Remember, though, that those tips are taxable income.
Whether you're dining at your favorite eatery or getting food delivered to your home, if a tip isn't included on your restaurant or delivery bill, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.
And if you got at least $20 in gratuities in September for your extraordinary services as a food server or hair stylist or parking valet or whatever job where tipping is common, you must report that amount by today. Use Form 4070 to let your employer know the total tips you took in last month.
Oct. 14: Today is the federal Columbus Day holiday. Yes, that is what is still officially on the federal calendar. But many states, cities, and even the White House now also designate today as Indigenous People's Day.
If today is a holiday for you, it’s the perfect time to finish up your extended 2023 tax return. You must get the form to the IRS by tomorrow, or at least have the envelope postmarked 10/15 if you are snail mailing a paper tax return, or you’ll get hit with late-filing and, if you owe more than you paid when you got your extension, late-payment penalties and interest charges. So get to work! See the Oct. 7 info for some help here.
Oct. 15: It’s extension Tax Day!
File. Now!
Oct. 21: With your 2023 tax return finally done, it's time to work on reducing your 2024 tax bill. One way to do that is to reduce your taxable income, but in a way that’s to your benefit. Yes, I’m talking about contributing to your retirement plan(s), either your workplace 401(k) and/or a traditional or Roth IRA .
Oct. 28: Been seeing some frost on the pumpkins or whatever you grow in your yard? That’s a signal to get yourself and your home ready for the coming colder weather. The Inflation Relief Act includes extension of older and addition of new energy-related tax breaks, including some for residential energy improvements.
Oct. 31: Boo and Happy Halloween! No time for taxes today. Got to get your costume ready for tonight’s trick-or-treating with the kiddos, or if you’re on your own, for that theme party with a cauldron of some fitting potent potable! Whichever way you celebrate, have fun and stay safe!
Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.
The IRS did not push up the dates for the checks mailed out. They only pushed up dates for direct deposits. If your SSI number is between 89-00 the mail out date is still July 11th as first stated.
Posted by: donna | Monday, July 07, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Christy,
It looks like the IRS has not officially pushed the delivery dates up across the board. But I know some people who have gotten their checks before their officially scheduled delivery date. So go by the IRS on-site date and hope for the best!
Posted by: Kay | Monday, June 30, 2008 at 04:44 PM
The IRS finally updated our info on their "Where's My Refund" page. But it still says the later, July 11, date, rather than the supposed "last" date of July 4 as indicated above. Does anyone know if they're still ahead of schedule or not? Should I go by what it says online or are they actually going out a week earlier than that?
Posted by: Christy | Monday, June 30, 2008 at 01:27 PM
good site you have thanks
Posted by: joe joe | Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 04:17 AM
Well...still not getting any information on line but when I called IRS today was told the rebate will be deposited on May 16! And I thought it was scheduled to be deposited earlier as they indicated. Shame on me!
Posted by: sheila | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 08:25 PM
You know what you gotta do when life gets you down???
just keep swimming -
just keep swimming -
that's what you do
That's what Dory told me
Posted by: TC | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 08:51 AM
received notice that I would receive rebate.....should receive by May 12....guess what! checked IRS site and rec'd message..we are sorry no information available...blah, blah, blah
what gives?
Posted by: sheila | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Same issue as most...was scheduled for today or earlier since they are "ahead of schedule", checked my account today...but still nothing. I met all the qualifying criteria and have no debt.
Posted by: Jay | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Hello. I have the same problem as many of the others asking questions and this is the ONLY web-site I found that is offering any kind of answer whatsoever. I really dont want to bit** about this money because this time last year, I didnt know or expect to be getting it and am grateful that I am now. But its like dangling candy in front of a two year old. I was supposed to get mine today and nothing. I know that i do not owe anything and made all the qualifying items and also have a qual. child. Possible problems?!Im military and I qualified for the EIC and no fed taxes were taken from any of my checks, would that have anything to do with it?
Posted by: Jesi | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 10:24 PM
I'm on the 'before May 5' schedule for direct deposits and have been looking for something eversince. How do we find out? Who do we talk to? If you give me something and tell me when you're going to give it to me, why should I have to find out when it's coming?
Posted by: kollette | Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 04:42 PM
If you received your tax refund by direct deposit that is the only way to receive your tax rebate by same. Any other method (i.e. H&R Block Refund Anticipation Loan or getting tax refund mailed to address etc) and you will receive your rebate check by mail (no exceptions and NO way to change after the fact)
Posted by: Michael | Monday, May 05, 2008 at 03:16 PM
I filed taxes through TaxAct, they recieved my refund, deducted 30 for filing, then sent my direct deposit. So does that mean my rebate will come in by check?
Posted by: Kathy | Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Ok, to say it mildly...I'm PO'd! I have been checking "schedules" of deposits, there are 3 different ones. We thought we would have our deposit by 5-2. Nope! Ok, 5-5? Not yet! Now grant it, it is early but then I have found another "schedule" that says deposits for our SS# bracket "start" today and will be done by 5-9! We are at the bottom of that SS# bracket being 75 but that is when our deposit was originally scheduled. It was said that the checks were "ahead of schedule by one week!" Which means we should have had our by 5-2! All I have to say is by the end of today I had better see a deposit into our checking account. Good luck to everyone else!
Posted by: Kim | Monday, May 05, 2008 at 05:39 AM
i just cruised the IRS website for an hour. I efiled my taxes and got them directly deposited the third week in Feb. I was supposed to get my check deposited today, but nothing. Who do we bug to get our checks?
Posted by: angi | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 11:57 PM
I e-filed my taxes and had them direct deposited into my checking account. My social security # is among the #'s that were supposed to be deposited today. I did not receive a deposit today. How can I find out what's wrong and when I will get the deposit?
Posted by: Rachel | Friday, May 02, 2008 at 05:02 PM