Tax Preparers Ready For Last-Minute Tax Filers

DENVER (CBS4) - Monday is the deadline for filing taxes, so CBS4's Evrod Cassimy sat down with a tax professional who pointed out some mistakes that last-minute filers tend to make.

As cars drive by, the greeter in front of Liberty Tax Services was a traffic-stopping reminder. Monday, April 15, is the last day to file taxes and avoid a penalty.

"There are a lot of people who wait until the last minute. The majority of people who owe taxes usually come in on the last day," Errol Roy with Liberty Tax Services said.

Inside the business it was quiet Sunday, but tax preparers know that it is just the calm before the storm.

"There are people who haven't gotten there ducks in a row. They will come in and file for an extension," Roy said.

Roy anticipates Liberty Tax Services will be nearly three times as busy on tax day. In fact, like many tax preparing businesses and even the post office, he's open early and will stay open until midnight on Monday.

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"Some people, they're scared of what happened in the previous year, so they think they might end up owing. That's why they wait. But when they come here it's a pleasant surprise that they get a refund," Roy said.

Roy encourages people to file early and save up if they owe so they can avoid the sticker shock in those final hours. But whether filing early or just before the deadline, it's important to file on time to avoid more penalties and fines.

"Please do not be scared of filing your taxes. Everyone has to do it. Might as well get it done," Roy said.

Taxes must be postmarked by April 15 to be considered on time. Only one post office in the Denver metro area will be open late for last-minute filers -- the facility at 7500 E. 53rd place.

Call the postal customer line at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) to find late tax mail collection sites.

Additional Resources

The United States Postal Service shared the following information about Monday night's operations.

The only location staying open late will be the Denver GMF retail facility at 7500 E. 53rd place, which is open for business until midnight.

With the exception of this one location, we will not be staying open late.

The following will not have retail services, but the collection boxes outside the office will be available for properly stamped envelopes until midnight.

• Bear Valley Station, 7555 W. Amherst
• Capitol Hill Station, 1571 Marion St.
• Downtown Station, 951 20th St.
• Glendale Station, 945 Birch St.
• GMF Finance Sta 7500 E 53rd Place
• Lakewood Station, 10799 W. Alameda Ave.
• Mile High Station, 450 W. 14th St.
• Montclair Station, 8725 E. 11th Ave.
• North Pecos Station, 1411 Cortez St.
• Northglenn Station, 11887 Washington St.
• South Station, 225 S. Broadway
• Sullivan Station, 8700 E. Jefferson Way
• University Park Station, 3800 Buchtel Blvd.

Tax Mailing tips:

• Apply the proper postage or stamps, especially if enclosing extra forms and schedules. Using a regular size Number 2 envelope, First Class postage costs 46 cents for the first ounce.
• For heavier envelopes, add extra stamps or postage amounting to 20 cents for each additional ounce.
• If you are not sure about the correct postage, it is best to add additional stamps, or take your forms to the Post Office to ensure that correct postage is applied.
• Make sure you print the proper IRS address on the front of the envelope.
• Print your return address in the upper-left-hand corner of your tax mail envelope.
• Customers who wish certification that their tax mail form was sent, should send it Certified Mail
• Customers with IRS tax questions can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040; or go to www.irs.gov