In Virginia, as with any other state, the last day for tax filing usually brings about a huge, last-minute rush for tax preparation services. But the events of 2020 have been far from usual, and the state of Virginia has taken steps to reduce the stress associated with income tax filing in these uncertain times by giving everyone more time to get their taxes in order.
Anyone who has yet to file their taxes still has time to seek out the services of a qualified tax consultant to help them with the process.
Deadline on Taxes Extended
The Virginia department of taxation, Virginia Tax, normally requires that individual income tax documents for most people have to be filed by May 1. But if you weren’t able to file by that due date, there is no need to worry. The state of Virginia has given everyone a 6-month extension to file tax returns.
The new due date for most people to file their taxes is now November 1, but since that filing deadline falls on a Sunday, people actually have until November 2 to file their income taxes.
Another component of the state’s tax relief efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic was to extend the deadline to pay taxes owed that were otherwise due in April or May to June 1. This extension applied to individual and corporate taxable year 2019 tax due payments, individual and corporate extension payments for taxable year 2019, first estimated income tax payments for taxable year 2020.
Sales Taxes – Virginia
Earlier in the year, any business that was impacted by disruptions related to the pandemic were previously eligible to request extensions for filing and paying with a waiver of any penalties and interest.
Unfortunately, that time frame has lapsed, so if you are still wondering about the best way to resolve issues related to the collection or payment of sales taxes, you should turn to a firm with experience in business accounting services.
Stay Safe and Trust the Professionals
State authorities have received reports of an increased number of scams that are seeking to exploit the current situation through schemes like phishing, fraud and ransomware. Particularly when it comes to issues surrounding filing and paying taxes or claiming a tax return, people should be watch out for these kinds of scams.
Here are some general guidelines that can help you protect yourself:
- Do not trust unsolicited requests for personal information
- Be skeptical of unanticipated communications, like emails or text messages, with link and/or attachments
- If you receive a suspicious phone call or email from someone claiming to be from a government agency, call that agency to confirm using a publicly available phone number
The best thing you can do to protect yourself against these kinds of crimes is to trust your tax preparation to an established and reputable tax consultant. Someone experienced in tax preparation services knows the ins and outs of local and federal tax law so you will be sure to avoid common pitfalls and get the most out of your tax return.