Deadline to file federal tax returns looming

Tax Day is right around the corner.

The federal deadline to file a 2016 income tax return and pay off any taxes is Tuesday, April 18.

The deadline typically falls on April 15; however, there are a few days to spare this year partly thanks to the 15th falling on a Saturday, but also because an annual holiday is being observed in Washington.

Despite this later deadline, there are still some last minute filers.

"No, I haven't filed yet," Salisbury resident Dolores James told 47ABC on Wednesday. "Last minute thing. We're waiting."

J.D. Schroen, a partner with CFS Retirement and Tax Solutions, says patience is key for last-minute filers.

According to Schroen, anything sent into the IRS may take a little bit longer to process at this point. He says it's important for filers to be attentive.

"A lot of times people just put things on the wrong lines, number one," he says. "number two, different types of incomes get taxed at different rates and so a lot of times, you'll see people will tax the income maybe at a higher rate than it should be, so they're forfeiting a little bit of a refund because they're not taxed at the right rate."

He says one suggestion is taking a look at your return from last year and making sure you're not missing anything. While you can file for an extension, he says to be mindful.

"I think a big misconception with that is, people think, I can just file an extension and just file my taxes later. This is true, but if you end up owing money, .the IRS does that when you file your extension that you do pay in the amount of money that you think may end up owing," explains Schroen.

Schroen tells 47ABC this year, returns are not too different from last year; however, under a new administration, that may not be the case next year.

While April 18 is the deadline for federal tax returns, Maryland state taxes are also due that day as well this year. Delaware and Virginia state taxes are due on May 1.