\n If you\u2019re riding the caboose when it comes to filing your income taxes, you have one more week to make the April 15 deadline \u2013 or at least request an automatic six-month filing extension and pay whatever else you owe for 2025.\n <\/p>\n
\n Here are some last-minute dos and don\u2019ts to make sure you avoid hitting any snags along the way.\n <\/p>\n
\n The IRS and tax pros use AI. Tax prep software providers use AI. So, you wonder, \u201cWhy not me?\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n Several reasons, according to former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel.\n <\/p>\n
\n Werfel, who oversaw the IRS\u2019 early use of AI to improve taxpayer service and compliance, appreciates the tool\u2019s promise in the tax arena.\n <\/p>\n
\n But he\u2019s raising red flags for DIY taxpayers who plan to lean on – or have already relied on \u2013 free, general-use AI platforms to field personal tax questions and help prepare their returns.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cBeware the generic solutions,\u201d said Werfel, who is now a strategic advisory board member at management consulting firm Alliant.\n <\/p>\n
\n For starters, unlike AI programs designed for tax purposes, general-use platforms (e.g., Chat GPT, Google Gemini or Microsoft \ufeffCopilot) have not been engineered, trained and tested for tax compliance and accuracy, especially for the more detailed, specific questions you may have due to the new tax law from last July that created a slew of new tax breaks<\/a> for individuals. Even tax pros<\/a> are taking it slow as they try to apply the complex rules<\/a> governing who is eligible to claim them and how much of their income is now deductible.\n <\/p>\n \n The quality of the information you get from a general-use platform also depends on the quality of your prompts. If you don\u2019t have any informed sense of what you\u2019re asking about (and no one can blame you if you don\u2019t), you\u2019re less likely to put in useful prompts, which could result in confusing, incomplete or incorrect information. As enrolled agent Tom O\u2019Saben put it in a press call, \u201cI use AI tools every day. But I have an idea of where we want to go.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n The personal financial details you input are also less secure. \u201cYou\u2019re handing over your most sensitive information to a platform where you have very limited understanding or assurances \u2026 in term of how your data will be used,\u201d Werfel said.\n <\/p>\n \n And, he added, AI-assisted returns may be automatically flagged by the returns processing system at the federal or state level, which may take your return out of the fast-track lane and set it aside for human review. That can mean a real lag in getting your refund or just getting closure on issues your return raises for the tax agencies.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIf you think, \u2018I\u2019m just going to use Chat GPT,\u2019 you\u2019re taking a big risk that you\u2019re going to be moved into the slow lane,\u201d Werfel said.\n <\/p>\n \n You might get the information you need by using the IRS\u2019 Interactive Tax Assistant<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n Or if you\u2019re a low-income filer who is at least 60 years old, you can get free tax and filing assistance at a VITA site<\/a> (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly) or by calling 800-906-9887. AARP<\/a> also offers free tax assistance.\n <\/p>\n \n Members of the military may get free help with filing and tax questions through MilTax<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n Avoid gratuitous penalties and interest<\/p>\n \n If you think you still owe money to the IRS for 2025 but you don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be able to file by April 15, here is how to avoid (or at least minimize) getting hit with penalties and interest.\n <\/p>\n \n First, submit Form 4868<\/a> to get an automatic extension to file your return, penalty free, until October 15.\n <\/p>\n \n Then, by April 15, send the IRS payment<\/a> of what you owe, or as much of it as you can.\n <\/p>\n \n If you don\u2019t file for an extension and have a balance due: You\u2019re likely to get hit with a late-filing penalty equal to 5% of your outstanding balance for each month or part of a month your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. \u201cIf your return is more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $525 (adjusted for inflation) or the balance of the tax due on your return, whichever is smaller,\u201d per the IRS.\n <\/p>\n \n You also may be subject to a late-payment penalty, which is typically half of 1% of the tax you still owe that hasn\u2019t been paid by April 15, up to a maximum of 25%. (For more on penalties and interest \u2013 including circumstances in which you might be spared \u2013 read the instructions on page 2 of Form 4868<\/a>.)\n <\/p>\n \n On top of that, you will owe interest on your balance due until it\u2019s paid, plus interest on any penalties<\/a> you\u2019re hit with but haven\u2019t paid.\n <\/p>\n \n If you file for an extension but don\u2019t pay what you owe by April 15: You will escape the late-filing penalty, but you will still owe interest on your outstanding balance and may be subject to the late-payment penalty plus interest on that too.\n <\/p>\n \n Boring but essential: Before filing, check your math and proofread your return \u2013 especially your Social Security number or taxpayer ID number. Also make sure you have included on your return information from any third-party provided tax form you received that the IRS also was sent a copy of (such as a 1099 form or a W-2, etc.).\n <\/p>\n \n Any inadvertent mistakes, typos or omissions will slow down the processing of your return and delivery of your refund.\n <\/p>\n \n If you expect a refund<\/a> and want to get it within the typical 21-day window after you file, provide the IRS with your direct deposit information on your tax return for the account of your choice (e.g., bank account, retirement account, prepaid debit card or mobile payment app).\n <\/p>\n \n You may even split your refund<\/a> across up to three accounts by filling out Form 8888<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n If you don\u2019t provide deposit information, you\u2019ll get a letter from the IRS asking for it within 30 days of processing your return, per the National Association of Tax Professionals.\n <\/p>\n \n If you\u2019d prefer a paper check, NATP said, \u201c(t)he letter will also include information on exceptions and provide a dedicated phone line for requesting an exception and issuance of a paper check. After six weeks, the IRS will issue a paper check to prevent interest from accruing on the refund.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Speaking of paper, it would be most efficient if you file your return and make payments electronically.\n <\/p>\n