Firms ready for rush of income tax returns

Pauline Bell

Friday, April 11, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

With Tuesday's tax deadline looming, all you tax procrastinators will be happy to know you're not alone.

Local tax preparers agree that more people are waiting until the last second to get their federal returns done this year by the April 15 deadline.

"It seems that it's busier than usual. It seems like more people waited until the end to get their return done -- more than usual. I haven't figured out why yet," said Margaret Coury, owner of Coury Tax and Business Services at 3017 W. Charleston Blvd.

Sam Stote, assistant manager for Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service with five locations in Southern Nevada and Kathy Apfel, owner of Kat Tax at 1830 E. Sahara Ave., think they know why: More people owe money.

"The last week or so, nine out of 10 tax returns owe a balance due," Stote explained.

Coury said she's even having to call some of her clients to remind them to get in before Tuesday. At Accu Tax, 2820 E. Flamingo Road, owner Steve Schuneman said he stopped taking appointments Wednesday. The six days prior to April 15 are being devoted exclusively to preparing the accumulated returns.

"What we're telling clients is that we are happy to prepare an extension and we will talk to them after April 15. We don't have time now to do any more returns, Schuneman said.

He described his office as "controlled pandemonium" and explained that the only reason it's controlled is because he doesn't accept walk-in clients. Firms that do take walk-ins probably are experiencing uncontrolled chaos, he said.

"Our offices aren't flooded yet, but they probably will be by the end of the week," said Stote, whose business does take walk-in clients. "Monday and Tuesday I think will be chaotic."

He said Jackson-Hewitt will take walk-ins through business hours on Tuesday, but it would be nice if people would make appointments. "It would help us with staffing," he said.

Apfel of Kat Tax takes walk-ins and said she's prepared to stay open as late on Tuesday as clients need her to stay.

Dawdlers shouldn't panic. You still have about 100 hours before the midnight Tuesday deadline. And, that's plenty of time to do something to avoid paying the sometimes hefty penalties that accompany late filings, according to the experts.

"Don't wait until the last second," said Marilyn Steen, public affairs officer for the Internal Revenue Service.

"If you've got your records together, you've got a good start. That's the tough part. If your a normal worker that maybe only has W-2 forms and an interest statement -- it's not too difficult. A simple return without itemizing maybe takes an hour or so. If you itemize deductions, it will take a little longer," Steen said.

Coury and others advise people to at least file their returns now, even if they know they can't immediately pay the money. This will save big bucks in the long run.

"If you know you can't pay now, you're better off to file the paper work now and pay later. That way you avoid the failure to file penalty which is one-half of one percent a month on unpaid taxes," she said.

On a $500 tax debt, for example, the penalty for failure to file would be $25 a month, plus interest. The penalty for failure to pay is only .05 percent, which amounts to about 25 cents a month plus interest. There's a big difference between the two amounts, she noted.

Many of the necessary tax forms are available at many Las Vegas-Clark County Library District branches. Local libraries are open Saturday and Sunday. And, volunteer tax preparers will be available to answer questions at The Boulevard Mall Saturday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For you big-time procrastinators among, the IRS office at 4750 W. Oakey Blvd., just east of Decatur Boulevard, will have a drive-thru open until 6 p.m. Monday to pick up tax forms. It also will be open Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The IRS will operate toll-free telephone lines from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday for individuals needing help preparing their returns. The phone number is 1-800-829-1040.