Tax trouble, (and sick with printer and computer and car troubles)--ideas appreciated! What would you do?

[Pen]

I am having trouble getting just the basics of trying to print out (printer not working and other trouble) an automatic tax extension to file form for my state and USA federal taxes, plus the forms and figuring out amounts to send in for first estimated tax payments. 

 

I am thinking maybe I need to just hand write what I am doing and what payments are for on a plain piece of paper in my own writing and take it to a copy shop and copy it?

 

Oh and adding to this is that I have been sick with flu like thing going on and on for weeks now, and am having car troubles, so just going to a place where copies can be made is itself not so easy.

 

The flu has left me feeling drained and where I can barely make sense of anything I read. The instructions for filling out and filing extensions that I found on IRS site look like gobbledygook to me. My state site gave me an error message.

 

I got a new Turbotax, but at this moment cannot make it work. I would guess that it may have the forms I need, but I cannot figure out all the stuff it wants at this time...and also with printer trouble cannot print anything out.

 

I don't have another person who can help me at this time.

 

WWYD

[prairiewindmomma]

What would I do?

 

I would call a friend to help me with the promise that I'd make her dinner or I'd drive to H&R Block and let them file for me.  If you are low income, I'd look for a VITA assistance program in your area. They are in many communities, and they help families who make under $55K a year with free tax help.

[Melissa B]

Go to the library. They can print you the forms. Our libraries usually have a librarian available this time of year to answer general tax filing questions as well.

[Lawyer&Mom]

You have until April 18th this year. Can someone help you this weekend?

[My4arrows]

Definitely get help either by having someone else do it if you're not sure of how to handle it properly or get the forms from the library.

[SKL]

Unless you expect your tax to be a lot less than last year, make an extension payment that brings your total payment up to last year's tax liability.

 

As others have said, you should be able to get an extension form at the library.  If that fails, try getting online at a library or copy shop and downloading the form from IRS.gov.

 

Extensions are awesome at times like this.  :)

[SKL]

PS you can hand-write the extension form.

[SparklyUnicorn]

https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd

 

Try that.  It has a list of available forms and I believe the extension form is on there.  No printing and you can e-file this for free.  So no leaving the house either.

 

 

[Pen]

PS you can hand-write the extension form.

 

 

That may save the day!  I think I'll see if I can still buy old fashioned carbon paper from Amazon. 

[SKL]

That may save the day!  I think I'll see if I can still buy old fashioned carbon paper from Amazon. 

 

Just to make sure we're talking the same language - when I said "hand write," I mean you can fill in the form with a pen instead of a typewriter.

 

[Lanny]

I believe that you can file an Extension free, using TaxACT.com   I have used TaxACT to file my U.S. return, for about 8 years.  If your printer is not working, make a "Screenshot" so you will have a file you can later print out.  

https://www.taxact.com/tax-information/general/free-tax-extension.asp

[Pen]

Just to make sure we're talking the same language - when I said "hand write," I mean you can fill in the form with a pen instead of a typewriter.

 

 

Dang. No. Thanks for clarifying. I thought you meant I could write out a form myself. 

[SKL]

If none of the options mentioned above will work for you, maybe call the IRS and see what they suggest.  Unfortunately it is probably too late to ask them to mail you a form.

[aggie96]

If you have internet access and an email address, you can file an extension for free online.  For backup, you can take a picture using your phone of the completed form on your computer screen, but TurboTax is quite reliable.  I filed my extension last night via TurboTax (like I do every year) and received confirmation of it being accepted 2 hours later.  If you owe 2015 taxes, they are due in full April 18th regardless of an extension to file the form.  If you know that the total amount due is small, you might opt to pay the penalty for not paying by April 18th (it's less than 1% of amount due each month--TurboTax has a link that describes exact percentages).  That would buy you some time to get your taxes completed properly.  JUST FILE EXTENSION OR COMPLETED FORM BY APRIL 18TH because that penalty can be hefty.

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/irs-tax-extensions/

Create account using reliable email address.

There is a link/tab at top that says "Taxes".  From that drop down menu choose "Easy Extension".

Follow online prompts.  If you want to wait to send money and incur the penalty, just $0 for the amount owed.

 

This approach will at least prevent a hefty penalty for not filing the form but does NOT stop a (much, much smaller) penalty for not paying.  BUT you can do the entire thing from your couch.

 

Here is the link to Form 4868 (Extension) at the IRS site.  Of course, you will need a printer for this and a trip to the mailbox or post office.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

 

But if the instructions are confusing you are really better off using TaxAct or TurboTax since they offer simplified questions and explanations.

 

Just get the form or the extension submitted by April 18th because that is a nasty penalty, even if you can't pay yet.