Up to the Minute...

Press Release
April 10, 2007

Countdown! One Week to Filing Deadline;
Get a Jump on Taxes, Even at Late Date

While it’s better to not wait when filing your taxes, it’s still not too late to meet this year’s filing deadline of April 17. With the tax deadline just a week away, more than 940,000 Oklahoma returns have been filed, leaving less than 600,000 filers left of the 1.5 million total returns expected this year.

Here are several easy ways to get started on your taxes and avoid the last minute deadline anxiety.

Gather your records together. Make sure you have all the records you need including W2’s and 1099’s as well as a copy of your completed Federal return.

Get the right forms. Oklahoma forms are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the agency website at www.tax.ok.gov. Oklahoma residents will file using the 511 form while non-residents use the 511NR form.

Double-check your math and verify all social security numbers. These are some of the most common errors found on tax returns. By taking time to double check your numbers now, you’ll reduce the chance of your return being held up during processing due to simple errors.

File fast and get your refund faster. Electronic is the way to go these days. E-filing your return will catch any math problems and will also provide the taxpayer with confirmation the return was received by the agency. And having a refund direct deposited into a bank account alleviates the extra waiting time for a check to be processed and mailed. For a list of companies that participate in free e-filing of income tax returns visit the Tax Commission website at www.tax.ok.gov or the IRS site at www.irs.gov. It should be noted that to file an Oklahoma return electronically, it must be filed at the same time as the federal return.

If you have a problem, don’t panic. Information about filing Oklahoma state tax returns, answers for many tax questions, and options for electronically filing tax returns may all be found on the agency website at www.tax.ok.gov. Although phone lines are busy at this time of year, taxpayers may also call the agency Taxpayer Assistance office in-state toll-free at 1 (800) 522-8165 and press “0” to speak to a representative. Out-of-state callers should dial (405) 521-3160 and press “0” to speak to a representative.

Additional Information:

• Who is required to file an Oklahoma income tax return?
• Who is an Oklahoma resident?
• Frequently Asked Questions about Oklahoma Income Tax
• Electronic Filing Options
• Oklahoma Income Tax Forms
• Additional Income Tax Information