This year, you need not fear the fifteenth. Instead, the seventeenth is the day of loathing. Why? Well, the traditional filing deadline falls on a Saturday, which means the filing date is bumped to the following Monday. Two whole extra days!

Preparing tax returns is a complex matter. If you don't believe me, just try reading one set of instructions kicked out by the IRS. Instead of doing a sloppy preparation, you might want to get more time. 4868 is the form you need to file.

To the surprise of many, the IRS has a pretty lax attitude towards April 15th. It gives extensions without a problem. In fact, just filing form 4868 will get you an automatic extension until October to get your return in.

While the IRS is pretty liberal when it comes to filing returns, the agency has a different attitude towards payments. Yes, you can have more time to file the return, but you better pay whatever you owe now or you will pay penalties and interest. Send in money with the extension.

The tax filing deadline can come at a bad time for many people. You might be ready to file, but do not have the money to pay the amount due. What should you do?

The first option is not to file. Instead, you can wait till you have the money to pay Uncle Sam. This is generally not a good idea since you will accrue penalties and interest on the entire amount due.

A better option is to go ahead and file the tax return. You should also send in what you can for payment. The IRS will then send you a notice that you have underpaid. You can then request a payment plan by going to the IRS website.

Filing even if you can't pay is smart for a few reasons. First, you don't send up red flags at the IRS. Second, you will ultimately pay less then not filing. You will still pay penalties and interest on what you owe, but the amount will be less because you made at least a partial payment.

Now, what if you are ready to file and can pay the tax debt? You can get money to the IRS in a couple of ways. The first is to send in a check as most do. The second is to pay by credit card. Just go to the IRS site to find authorized vendors to handle the payments.

Finding out you are due a refund is a blissful moment. Then greed sets in. When will you get it? You can go to the IRS site and find out. Just click the ?where is my refund? link and follow the directions.

Filing taxes is one of those things we all tend to put off until the last moment. Well, the last moment is here!