Commonly asked questions about the tax filing extension to May 11

The extension of the tax filing deadline (both state and federal) to May 11 for residents of seven counties in Massachusetts declared federal disaster areas due to flooding has prompted quite a few questions. DOR has published legal guidance in Technical Information Release 10-7, but the queries keep coming.

The most common is, do I have to do anything other than file my tax return by May 11? Do I have to request permission to do this, or offer proof of storm damage, if I live in one of the seven counties (Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Plymouth, Norfolk, Suffolk or Bristol). The answer to all these questions is "no." If you live in one of these counties, no proof or pre-registration is required. For a map of those counties click here.

What if I filed my return before the date of the TIR issuance (which was April 2) but had not yet paid tax due? In that case, you must pay by April 15.

What if I live in Rhode Island but work in Massachusetts? Since Rhode Island has also been declared a federal disaster area, you have until May 11 to file your Massachusetts and federal returns.

Does the extension apply to estimated payments? It does.

What happens if I am eligible for the extension but file after May 11? In that case, penalties and interest will be assessed as of April 15. 

Does the May 11 extension cover payments as well as returns? Yes, it does.

Comments

[Joanne Murrau]

if I worked in Mass and filed my state tax and the refund was sent to my spouses account that I have no access too is there anything that I can do... is there a way to find out if it came in just my name or his also... and wouldnt I have to authorize the check to go into an account without my name on it... or sign the check.

Thank you,

Joanne Murray

[Robert Bliss]

John, your accountant is correct. The filing deadline of April 15, or this year, of May 11, is a requirement for those who owe tax. However, if a taxpayer does not owe tax, there is no penalty or interest assessed for late filing because those penalties and interest are assessed against tax owed. Failure to file in such a situation, however, may still result in a non-filer audit.

[John Holzhauer]

The Fort Point post office in Boston is open until midnight as a matter of routine.

I was told by an accountant that the midnight May 11 (or April 15 in "normal" years") deadline only applies if you owe taxes, for both Massachusetts and federal tax returns. If you overpaid and are due a refund, then you do not need to ensure that your mailed paper return has a postmark or date-stamp of May 11 (e.g., it could be mailed a couple of days later and will not be considered late). Is this true?

[Robert Bliss]

John, the days of post offices staying open late for tax filing are a thing of the past. You should check with your local post office but I do not believe the postal service has any extra hours planned. You may also want to see if the South Station post office in Boston is open late as a matter of routine.

[John Holzhauer]

Are there any U.S. Post Office branches in the seven counties, Boston are, Worcester area that will be staying opne late today May 11 to accommodate last minute filers that need a postmark of May 11?

[Robert Bliss]

Bill ... your question on HSA's is one for the IRS.

[Bill Moore]

Are HSA contributions extended to May 11?

[Robert Bliss]

Brianna, in reference to your question about Turbotax, this tax software provider chose not to update its filing package, and DOR does not have the authority to order them to reflect the May 11 filing deadline in their software. However, as an alternative, may I suggest DOR's free WebFile for Income tax filing program that is available on our homepage at
www.mass.gov/dor.

[Brianna Kent]

I am e-filing with turbotax for my state taxes and qualify for the may 11th extension. Turbotax however, want me to pay a penalty for filing late. How do I avoid this penalty?

[Edward Peters]

A taxpayer asks if flood-affected taxpayers have until May 11 to file an extension.. the answer is yes. From TIR 10-7:

... Thus, for example, an affected taxpayer that would otherwise be required to file an extension request by April 15, 2010 has until May 11, 2010 to file an extension request, but the period of that extension shall be until October 15, 2010 (or such other extended due date as would apply in the absence of this relief).

[Todd]

Does the May 11th extension include filing Form M-4868 and Form 4868 to get a 6 month extension or did those need to be submitted by April 15th? Thanks.

[Edward Peters]

If a flood-affected taxpayer e-files on April 20 (or anytime up to May 11), they have until May 11 to pay any amount due ..

[Edward Peters]

A taxpayer wants to know if they have to write anything on the return to reference the May 11 date....The answer depends on filing method..The Department’s computer systems will identify taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and apply automatic filing and payment relief for electronically filed returns. If for some reason the taxpayer is unable to file electronically, the taxpayer’s paper forms and returns should be marked at top in red ink with the notation “2010 Flooding.” Any affected taxpayer who files and pays by the extended deadline and still receives late filing or payment penalties should contact the Department’s Customer Service Bureau.

[Robert J. Paul]

If I efile my return today on April 20th is the balance due due on may 11th?

[Alexis Currier]

Do we have to write anything on the return to show it is extended to May 11th?

[Robert Bliss]

Yes. You may make IRA contributions up to May 11.

[Robert Bliss]

Yes. Deadline for IRA contributions extended to May 11.

[Robert Bliss]

The IRS has extended the date for IRA contributions to May 11.

[Robert Bliss]

Yes, you have until May 11 to file a quarterly payment

[mark barbato]

i live in middlesex co. e-filed on 4-7 i owe both state & fed. do i have until may 11th to pay?

[Emily]

Thank you, that was much more clear than the IRS statement.

[Ellen Slater]

In reference to the Q&A: What if I filed my return before the date of the TIR issuance (which was April 2) but had not yet paid tax due? In that case, you must pay by April 15.

This answer fails to recognize that there was a financial impact to residents in the affected counties for flood remediation. The extra weeks to pay would have been helpful & appreciated, in light of that.

[L. Brown]

What if you filed by April 15th are IRA contributions still extended to May 11th?

[lynne]

what if you filed before april 15th are ira contributions still extended until may 11th

[Craig Stanley]

If I filed my return on 4/14/10, do I still have until 5/11 to make my 2010 quarterly estimated tax payment?

[Robert Bliss]

The federal disaster declaration covers the period from March 12 to May 11, so storm damage from February is not covered. For tax filing assistance and information, call 1-800-392-6089.

[Robert Bliss]

Yes ... you have until May 11 for IRA's.

[Pam Greenley]

My unreimbursed damange was from the late Feb. hurricane. Is that part of this? What line does the unreimbused expenxe go on?

[Brian Allsop]

are IRA contributions extended to may 11th if the tax deadline has been moved to the 11th of may