IRS is mostly closed, but Uncle Sam still expects you to file

October 15, 2013

That's right. The Internal Revenue Service is, for the most part, shut down.

But you, tax filing procrastinators, must finish up your 2012 tax return today.

The countdown clock below (reflecting the Central time zone since that's where I am!) will help those among the 12 million who got a filing extension and plan to use every last moment to make the midnight deadline.

Or, as the time ticks by, it will terrify and/or annoy you.

But, hey, I didn't set the deadline. I'm just nagging reminding you!

Time is not on your side: Yes, I did stop the countdown clock with just one second left (Central Time) in the extension deadline day. It is, after all, my blog.

But my temporal power here does you no good when it comes to the IRS. So even if you missed the Oct. 15 deadline, you still need to file your return ASAP.

The following posts also will help you fill out your Form 1040:

Avoid common filing mistakes
Don't overlook these tax breaks
Tips for snail mail filers
Getting your paper return to the Post Office safely
Use IRS Free File if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less
Don't forget your extended state tax returns
Other Oct. 15 deadlines

Finally, for Colorado filers in major disaster areas, you get to do this by Dec. 2.

Share:

The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic.

Latest Posts

Uncle Sam wants you to work for the IRS

6 tax moves to consider this June

DoJ axes Trump ‘slush’ fund, but keeps IRS no-audit deal

6 tax moves to consider this June

June 3, 2026

Definitely take a break this June. But taxes don’t take vacations. So, you also should…

Tax Season 2026 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 26, millions who were expecting refunds filed immediately. Most of us got our returns to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. But plenty of taxpayers also got extensions. They are looking at an Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Credits/Deductions

Filing and Paying Taxes

Tax Brackets/Inflation

Comments