Last-minute tax tips: How to get an extension, track tax refunds, get free help, and more

• Do not rush or click on pop-ups that claim to be from the IRS.
• State of Michigan sends some confirmation quiz letters to verify IDs.
• Even if you request a six-month extension, you need to estimate how much money you owe for your 2024 taxes and pay it or most of it by April 15.

The April 15 tax filing deadline that applies to most people is fast approaching. If you're not one of the tens of millions of people who have already filed, hop off the couch and get moving.

This year, more people could be waiting until the last minute, as data from the Internal Revenue Service indicates that the tax season got off to a slower start.

Through March 28, the IRS received nearly 89.6 million returns, which is down 0.8% from the same time a year ago. That's down roughly 765,000 federal income tax returns from what the IRS received during the same time period a year ago.

How do you file for an extension?

Your best bet is to just get the job done and meet the deadline. But, of course, life can happen and some people do need, really need, extra time.

One of the easiest ways to request a six-month extension is to tap into free software offered through a "Free File" partner at IRS.gov. You can click on the "File an Extension" link. This strategy can work no matter what your income.

An extension gives you until Oct. 15 to file your tax return. You're not getting any more time to pay what you'd owe. You'd want to file the extension and pay any balance you'd owe by the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Penalties and interest will continue to grow until you pay the full balance.

You do not need to mail in a Form 4868 if you file a request electronically.

Another option: The IRS says you can pay what you owe using an IRS online payment option and check the box that you are paying as part of filing for an extension. In this case, you would not have to file a separate extension form and you’d receive a confirmation number of your extension. See IRS.gov/payments.

Even if you get an extension, you'd typically need to estimate how much money you owe for your 2024 taxes and pay it or most of it by April 15.

You can also request an extension by mail — though the IRS prefers doing things electronically — by filling out Form 4868 and mailing it into the IRS.

In Michigan, taxpayers who need time beyond the April 15 deadline to file the state return can request an extension with Form 4, Instructions for Application for Extension of Time to File Michigan Tax Returns. Again, an extension to file is not an extension to pay; taxpayers should estimate their tax liability and pay any taxes owed by April 15, 2025.

Why not just skip filing a federal return in 2025?

By filing a tax return or requesting an extension, you'll avoid the "failure to file" penalty for your federal income taxes. It's a good reason to file by the deadline or get that extension, if you owe money already.

The failure to file penalty amounts to 5% of the unpaid federal taxes for each month or part of a month that a tax return is late, according to the IRS. The penalty won't exceed 25% of your unpaid taxes.

Important point: If there is a refund or no balance is due, these penalties will not apply.

If you owe money and don't pay it, you risk more penalties for failure to pay and possibly ultimately getting into a situation where the IRS can eventually garnish wages, seize bank accounts, or put liens on property, said Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services.

Remember, Steber said, lenders often require proof of tax filings in order to approve a loan and some background checks will include whether a taxpayer is current with their tax filings.

Make sure to take your time

Your top priority is to file an accurate return, even if you're nearing the April 15 deadline.

"The first thing to do is gather all tax-related documents and get organized," Steber said.

"If someone is missing a document, they should immediately reach out to the appropriate parties because it will be required to file a complete tax return. Just because someone can’t locate a W-2 doesn’t mean they should file their tax return without this information," Steber said.

Skipping some information or estimating a number doesn't cut it. Such shortcuts will likely trigger problems in the IRS system, Steber said, and cause a delay in the processing of a tax return and refund.

Double check what you're listing for Social Security numbers, wages and the numbers for your bank account. Verify the financial institution's routing and account numbers that you've entered on the return to make sure the numbers are accurate.

Do you have all of your 1099s? The 1099-K is key for those who sell goods, including concert and football tickets, online.

This year, more taxpayers will receive a 1099-K from payment card companies, payment apps, and online marketplaces when the amount of their business transactions during 2024 was more than $5,000. Take time to understand the taxable amount. You pay taxes on a gain, not a loss, if you're selling your tickets or vintage clothes online.

Tax experts say it's best to choose electronic filing to reduce math errors. And opt for direct deposit of a refund to get that money more quickly.

Sign and date the return. Both spouses need to sign a married filing jointly return. Most e-file software platforms allow electronic signatures. If you're having the return prepared by a professional, make sure the professional signs the return.

By law, the IRS notes, anyone who is paid to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number. Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on any tax return they prepare. If a preparer won't sign the return, it's a sign of potential fraud.

Where to get tax help, including free help for some

The closer we get to crunch time, the harder it could be to find someone to help you. Some tax professionals offer extended hours, but call soon to book an appointment.

The Accounting Aid Society in Detroit, which offers free services to lower-income and middle-income households, is taking appointments until they run out.

"Our appointment system is dynamic. So, if someone cancels, it opens up the opportunity for someone to schedule it," said Matt Hetherwick, chief program officer for the Accounting Aid Society in Detroit,.

Go to www.accountingaidsociety.org or call 313-556-1920 to schedule an appointment. Accounting Aid Society is open year-round, Hetherwick said. If someone misses the April 15 deadline, appointments for the beginning of May will open later this month.

If you generally made $67,000 or less last year, you could qualify for free tax preparation services through the Accounting Aid Society and other services offered through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

In southeastern Michigan, tax filers can use one spot to connect with free tax services offered through Accounting Aid, as well as Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency by calling 211 or going online to GetTheTaxFacts.org.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide also offers free tax help services. Some locations stopped doing taxes for this year, but others continue through April 15.

Where to get free tax software

The IRS Free File program at IRS.gov offers free tax software in 2025 to those with adjusted gross incomes of $84,000 or less. Free File is available online at IRS.gov to use to prepare and file 2024 tax returns through Oct. 15.

Figure out what program applies to you by reviewing the details at IRS.gov. Some Free File partners include a free state tax return while others may charge a fee.

Florida and these other states are getting more time

Millions of taxpayers in 12 states have automatic extensions based on federal disaster relief.

Taxpayers in the entire states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and parts of Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Virginia will have until May 1 to file their 2024 returns and pay any tax due.

The IRS announced an extension for victims of California wildfires in Los Angeles County. These taxpayers in California have until Oct. 15 to file their returns and pay their federal income taxes.

Individuals and businesses in all of Kentucky now have until Nov. 3 to file and make federal income tax payments after severe storms hit that state in February. In West Virginia, many taxpayers get an extended deadline to Nov. 3 if they live in parts of West Virginia hit by severe storms in Boone, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Anyone can file earlier than the extended deadlines relating to emergency relief, and some will do that to claim their tax refunds.

What's the average tax refund look like?

Tens of millions of tax returns already have been filed since the IRS began processing and accepting returns on Jan. 27.

The average tax refund is $3,170 for federal income tax returns filed and processed through March 28, according to the latest IRS filing season statistics. That's up 3.9% from the same time frame a year ago.

The IRS has issued more than 61 million tax refunds totaling more than $195 billion so far this tax season.

The Michigan Department of Treasury has received and processed more than 2.6 million returns for the 2024 tax year through April 5. The state has issued more than $1.84 billion in refunds. The average refund amount is $884, according to Sarah Rusnell, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Where's my refund?

The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool usually shows a refund status within 24 hours after a taxpayer e-files a current year return, according to the IRS. It takes about four weeks for the same information to be available for those filing paper returns.

To use the tool, taxpayers need their Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount. "The tool updates once a day, so people don't need to check more often," the IRS states.

Scammers love to pounce on last-minute tax filers

Many of us will need to rush to make that tax deadline, but don't fall for a tax scheme or scammer.

Step back and verify that a call or email that you're receiving really is from a tax expert or tax agency. Do not fall prey to an email that asks you to click on a link and claims to be from Internal Revenue Service e-Services or someone who claims to be from the IRS and threatens that you "pay now or else."

The Michigan Department of Treasury offered a long list of cybersecurity tips for tax time, including:

• Do not respond to online message requests for personally identifiable information. Most organizations — banks, universities, companies, Treasury — do not ask for your personal information over the internet.
• Trust your intuition. If you think an offer is too good to be true, then it probably is. (This is good advice for avoiding "wildly inaccurate tax advice" often spotted on social media.)
• As an additional layer of taxpayer protection, the Michigan Treasury sends some confirmation quiz letters by regular mail to some taxpayers to help prevent the loss of state income tax refunds. Refunds are issued after a taxpayer’s identity has been verified. "This measure is to protect your refund and ensure it is going to you, not someone trying to fraudulently collect your tax refund. If you receive a confirmation quiz letter, follow the directions," according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X @tompor.