2013 Taxes

Tax day is here! If you're done, then breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate, because it's also a day when a lot of businesses, who are sympathetic to your tax stress, are gifting consumers with a lot of freebies. Reward yourself for getting your taxes done in time (if you're not filing for an extension) by taking advantage of one of these free giveaways: 

• 7-Eleven: Receive a free medium slurpee when you text "Slurp7" to "711711" — the offer ends at the end of this month. 
• Arby’s: Get free curly fries or potato cakes at participating Arby's restaurants on April 15. Keep an eye on its Facebook page to get the coupon on tax day.
• AMC theater: Free small popcorn at participating AMC theaters from April 12 to April 15. Use this coupon.
• Boston Market: Get two rib meals for just $10.40 on tax day. No coupon needed.
• Bruegger's: "Like" Bruegger's Facebook page, and you'll have access to a coupon that'll get you a dozen bagels and two tubs of cream cheese for $10.40.
• Chili's: Like their facebook page to get a free appetizer or dessert. Offer lasts until April 15.
• Cinnabon: Get two free Cinnabon Bites on April 15, while stocks last at participating outlets.
• Great American Cookies: Get a free b'day cake cookie on April 15.
• HydroMassage: Make an appointment at your free HydroMassage outlet using this coupon. Offer ends April 19.
• Panda Express: Free samurai surf and turf with this coupon on April 17.
• Pinkberry: Every Wednesday this month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., get a free full-size serving of pinkberrygreek. 
• Office Depot: Shred up to five pounds of sensitive paperwork for free at Office Depot with this coupon. 
• Schlotzsky’s: Get a free small The Original^® sandwich with the purchase of a 32 oz. drink and chips on tax day.
• Sonic: Drinks and slushes for 50 percent off at participating restaurants on April 15.
• Subway: Buy a six-inch sandwich before 9 a.m. to get one more for free. Ends April 30.

We will be updating this list as more companies announce their tax day freebies, so keep watching this spot!

So you haven't filed yet and your taxes are due on Monday. Don't have a nervous breakdown this weekend when you're trying to sort through a tax problem you can't find a solution to. After all, it all seems so dire, doesn't it — everything's usually closed on the weekend, so who can you reach out to? Thankfully, there are some resources that will be available to tax procrastinators:

• Google it. See if you can solve the problem yourself first before you start reaching out to people. Try to look for the answers online on reliable sources. The IRS website is actually the best resource for information on taxes. Many of the tax prep companies also have vibrant communities that address many of the questions you have.
• JustAnswer: JustAnswer is a great website that lets you directly ask professionals from different fields questions. These experts include doctors, lawyers, and more. Just type in your question in the homepage, and you'll shortly be connected to someone who can help. Keep in mind that you have to pay a fee for this service.
• BidaWiz: Similar to JustAnswer, you can go to BidaWiz to find an expert to answer your tax question. One of the main differences between the two sites is that BidaWiz is focused specifically on finance matters. You have to create an account to reach a professional, and there is a fee for their assistance.

Read on for more.

Your vices are costing you more than you realize, and you'll feel more of a pinch come tax time. According to Lisa Greene-Lewis, Lead CPA at the American Tax & Financial Center at TurboTax, some of these "sin" taxes are some of the largest revenue streams for the government.

Speaking of bad habits, you may be procrastinating on the tax paperwork, and since there is less than a week to the filing deadline, be sure to either file an extension or just bite the bullet and file now.

Don't believe how much your bad habits are costing you? Greene-Lewis breaks down what your bad habits are really costing you. 

Gambling Tax

"If you’re in a casino or placing a bet at a sports event, you’re likely not concerned or thinking about the tax implications of your winnings, but failure to properly report your new loot can result in consequences and penalties.

If you are lucky enough to win gambling winnings of more than $5,000 from sweepstakes, wagering pools, and the lottery, you will have a flat 25 percent tax withheld, unlike taxes withheld from wages, which are progressive. For example, the tax on your gambling earnings would be the same, whether you won a $100,000 jackpot or a $10,000 one.   

Gambling winnings from bingo, keno, and slot machines are not subject to automatic withholding, but it’s not just winner chicken dinner! You are required to give the payer your Social Security number or the payer may automatically withhold 28 percent from your winnings. 

Don’t forget you may also be able to deduct your gambling losses up to the amount of gambling winnings claimed."

Read on for more.

Attention! You might be at risk for a tax scam! Read below to pick up some easy tips from LearnVest to make sure you're being safe and taking steps toward protecting yourself.

Tax fraud looks a lot like regular financial fraud — it costs you money and causes you a lot of frustration.

The good news is that if you're taking steps to protect yourself against identity theft and credit card fraud, then you're on the right track to preventing your tax refund, personal information, and money from falling into the wrong hands.

Related: A CPA Spills: The Biggest Tax Mistakes I See

But there's more you should know to prevent yourself from becoming a victim this tax season. Read on for the IRS's four top tax scams targeting people like you, how to prevent them, and what to do if you've already become a target.

Read on to find out how.

The April 15 deadline for taxes is quickly approaching, for those of you who have yet to file, read these helpful last-minute tips.

• File For Free: Everyone can use the IRS Free File, a tax prep software that won't cost you a cent.
• Do It Online: If you file your taxes electronically, you'll get your tax refund back faster, and your tax forms will be more accurate. Your information will also be safer since you're submitting it through a secure transmission.
• Late Filers Should Extend: You should file an extension, Form 4868, if you can't file your taxes by April 15. You'll be given a six-month extension until October 15.
• Extension Is For Returns: Be aware that although you are filing for an extension, that will only apply for your return. The extended deadline is not for the taxes that are due — you will still have to pay them off before tax day. If you can't pay it off, you should still file on time and pay whatever you can to avoid the late fees and penalties. Then, work a payment plan out with the IRS.
• Check and Recheck: The April 15 deadline may be make you nervous and cause you to rush when doing your taxes. Be sure to double check your work to ensure that you're not making some of these really common mistakes filers often make.

If you're dragging your feet on doing your taxes, it's time to get started on them now. After all, April 15 is just around the corner. Why put off the inevitable? Here are a couple of tips to help you get started.

Fill out the simple details. Take a deep breath and just start. Filling out details like your name and address isn't so hard, right? Take one step at a time and work on it across several nights after work or on the weekend. Slowly, but surely, you'll make your way to the end. Trying to tackle everything in one go may overwhelm you, so it's better to take it slow.

Find a buddy. Find a tax buddy and resolve to do taxes together on a designated day. Make a date out of it and do it at home while watching old episodes of The Office or schedule to meet up and bring your laptops to a hip neighborhood café.

Announce it. Announce your intentions to work on your taxes to the world . . . OK, well, maybe just Facebook and Twitter. Seeing all the "likes" and comments roll in will definitely motivate you to do them. And the cherry on top? Telling everyone that you're done with taxes and just waiting for your juicy refund to come.

Reward yourself. Promise to reward yourself with a small treat when you're done. Perhaps it's a blueberry yogurt or a relaxing massage. Create positive incentives to give you the extra push you need to complete your taxes.