The day after

Link 222 wants to know how the tax filing process went for folks out there. Did everyone do his own or get an accountant to help? Did you e-file?

And are your state returns finished along with federal? Did anyone actually file taxes early?

Since it's the day after April 15, did anyone celebrate? Or at least relax a little?

Let us know what's on your mind!

Time's almost up

After much procrastination, staying true to my usual M.O., I finally filed my taxes today.
I was so ashamed to admit this even 24 hours ago until I discovered there are many more out there like me, putting off the inevitable.

And unlike me, they still have yet to take care of their business.
Well, now that I’ve quit dragging my slow behind on this, I want to help you, my fellow man, with this friendly reminder/public service announcement:

YOU GOT LESS THAN 5 DAYS LEFT!!!!! STOP SHUFFLING AND FILE THOSE TAXES ALREADY!

No more excuses. Even, if you’re cheapsakate like me, you can either do it yourself or do like I did and have someone do it for you. In my case, I went to the Queensborough Neighborhood Association where the folks were nice and friendly.
But best of all, it was FREE!

Here’s a list of some other places that offer free tax assistance, but time is running out, Tuesday will here before you know it. So, you may want to call them first:

• The AARP Tax Aide Program, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon., Broadmoor Branch, Shreve Memorial Library, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive, (318) 869-0120.
• Barksdale Air Force Base, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., basement of the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) Building on BAFB. For active military, retired military, reservists, dependents and Base employees only. Call 456-4765 for appointment.
• Caddo Community Action Agency, Cedar Grove Center, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8001 Fairfield Ave. (318) 868-7222.
• Caddo Community Action Agency, David Raines Center, 1625 David Raines Road,
  Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., (318) 425-2401.
• Caddo Community Action Agency, St. Vincent Center, 4055 St. Vincent Ave., Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (318) 861-4808.
• Centerpoint, 1002 Texas Ave., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (318) 227-2100 for appointment.
• Louisiana Department of Revenue, 1525 Fairfield Ave. Call (318) 676-7505 for appointment.

At least one person is just mailing that return...

It's 11:15 p.m. I am trying to clean up my desk (only a little) and pack up to leave the office. I just got off the phone with someone who called here to get an IRS mailing address.

Now I certainly don't mind helping. I'm glad someone out there values this newspaper enough to know that we might have access to information that can help. (Although a quick google search and a glance by just about anybody would've done just as well.)

But dang. They are cutting it close, and I told them so. They've got to be mailed by midnight. Click on the link above if you're the ultimate procrastinator waiting until the last minute to file your taxes, too.

I hope everyone who reads this gets some money back. And then you need to go put it in some kind of savings!

File those taxe returns yet?

The federal ones are due Apr. 17, and the state ones May 15. Sure, for those of us who are procrastinators that is awhile away. But why not get an early start?

If you're lucky enough to get a refund, you'll be that much closer.