Treasury offers help to taxpayers who missed tax filing deadline

Michigan taxpayers who missed the Tuesday, April 18, state individual income tax filing deadline have options for filing a late return, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

“Late filers should file all income tax returns that are due,” said Deputy Treasurer Glenn White, head of the Treasury’s Tax Administration Group. “If a taxpayer owes tax and cannot make full payment, Treasury will work with them on payment options. We want to help taxpayers avoid interest charges and late payment penalties.”

The Treasury recommends past-due tax filers consider:

• Filing a return to claim an outstanding refund. Taxpayers risk losing their state income tax refund if they don’t file a return four years from the date due of the original return. Go to www.mifastfile.org to learn more about e-filing.

• Filing a return to avoid interest and penalties. File past due returns and pay now to limit interest charges and late payment penalties. Failure to pay could affect a taxpayer’s credit score and the ability to obtain loans.

• Requesting a penalty waiver. Penalty may be waived on an assessment if a taxpayer can show reasonable cause for their failure to pay on time. Reasonable cause includes serious illness, a fire or natural disaster, or criminal acts against you. Documentation should be submitted to substantiate the reason for a penalty waiver request.

• Paying as much owed tax as possible. If taxpayers owe but can’t pay in full, they should pay as much as they can when they file their tax return. Payments can be made using Michigan’s e-Payments service. When mailing checks, carefully follow tax form instructions. The Treasury will work with taxpayers who cannot pay the full amount of tax they owe.

• Making monthly payments through an installment agreement. For Installment Agreements lasting for 24 months or less, taxpayers must complete, sign and return the Installment Agreement (Form 990). The agreement requires a proposed payment amount that will be reviewed for approval by the Treasury.

To learn more about Michigan’s income tax, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax or call the Treasury’s Income Tax Information Line at 517-636-4486.