If you filed for an extension, you can make tax-filing easier on yourself

0 Comments | USA TODAY, September, 2006 | by Sandra Block

The leaves are turning, the nights are getting colder and some stores have already put up their Christmas displays. But for millions of taxpayers, it might as well be spring. Nearly 10 million taxpayers received an extension this year to file their federal tax returns, according to the IRS. For those taxpayers, Oct.

16 is the new April 15. If you're among them, don't wait until the last minute to file. Preparing your taxes in the off-season poses some special challenges, and you can't get another reprieve from the IRS. In years past, taxpayers could obtain an automatic extension until Aug. 15. If they needed more time, they could request an additional two months, but to get approved, they had to give a reason for seeking the second extension. So the IRS, no doubt weary of...