Your post office is open really late, your co-workers are more stressed than normal—it must be Tax Day. Make the most of your drop-dead filing deadline with tips for procrastinating filers, food freebies and discounts.
Last Minute Prep Tips
Need an extension?: If you know roughly how much you'll owe but just can't get through all the paperwork, fill out Form 4868 (direct PDF link) and send it in with 90 percent of your estimated amount due to avoid penalties and fees. Pretty sure you're getting a refund? Just send in that form, and you've got until around Oct. 15 to file your final claim. [via Consumerist]
Drop-dead, last-minute tax reducers: If you can't stand to look at how much you owe, today's probably the last day to do something about it. Grab that extension form above, unless you've got the day to yourself (or love late-night post office crowds). Then check out Consumer Reports' Last, best money-saving tax options, which includes things like Roth IRA contributions, child credits, and stimulus payments that never came.
Clean, signed, and keep a copy: That's how tax returns should be filed, as tax whiz Roni Deutch tells the Get Rich Slowly blog. Just having a proper-looking return can keep you away from an audit, but if the numbers themselves make you worry, check out GRS' list of common IRS red flags.
Tax Day Freebies and Deals
Free:
Cinnabon Bites at mall-based Cinnabon locations from 5-8pm. (locate)
Single-scoop ice cream from MaggieMoo's all day. (locate)
Free Taco Del Mar Taco all day with a printed coupon. (locate)
Discounted:
$10.09 entrees and $10.09 future visit coupon at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants. (locate)
illy iperEspresso maker, $150, normally $695, starting today but good through June 30. Requires monthly espresso package subscription, which can be canceled after purchase.
One large, 3-topping pizzas for $10.40 from Papa John's, if ordered online with promo code 1040M. Thanks steeb2er!
Hat tips to Wise Bread, Slashfood, and Consumerist for their own deal roundups.
Found another Tax Day deal or freebie to share? Tip us off in the comments, and we'll update this list.