Yes, I’m still working on my own 2012 tax return

April 14, 2013

Fellow tax-filing procrastinators, take a look at the photo below for proof that I'm sharing your tax pain today as we stare down the April 15 filing deadline together.

Strewn (OK, sort of neatly stacked) across the floor there is all my 2012 tax background material, receipts and other documentation so I can plug my numbers into my tax preparation software.

I like to pencil the tax data in on paper forms first, just to make sure I have everything I need. I also find it easier to compare the return I'm working on with last year's printed copy when everything is on paper.

I'm in pretty good shape, especially since I'm going to file a Form 4868 extension request. That's what's up on my laptop screen, although the cell phone camera didn't pick up the image.

My reason for getting six more months? I want to make sure I have all my self-employment tax info absolutely correct so I can make the maximum 2012 contribution to my retirement account.

While folks who are employees must put money in their traditional or Roth IRAs by the April filing deadline, self-employed workers generally get until their extension due date to contribute to and, with some plan types, to open their retirement savings plans for the previous tax year.

So not only do I get the extra time to calculate how much I can contribute, I also get more time to come up with the money.

Now back to work!

You also might find these items of interest:

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

IOC’s cash-for-Olympians plan shouldn’t pose tax problem for many U.S. athletes

Some IRS TACs will be open this Saturday, June 27

IRS received $3.2 billion in unidentified tax payments in FY2022-24

IOC’s cash-for-Olympians plan shouldn’t pose tax problem for many U.S. athletes

June 24, 2026

A new International Olympic Committee $140 million fund will dispense grants of up to $10,000…

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