The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) will honor the April 17th individual income tax filing deadline set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Since April 15, 2012 falls on a Sunday, and Emancipation Day in Washington, DC (a DC-only holiday) is observed on Monday, April 16th, the official filing deadline will move to the following business day which is Tuesday, April 17th.
SCDOR will honor the federal due date but will not change forms to reflect the April 17th deadline. This deadline applies to any income tax return or payment normally due on April 15th; it also applies to the deadline for requesting a tax-filing extension.
South Carolina taxpayers who file and pay electronically have until May 1, 2012 to do so without penalty or interest being assessed.
The May 1st deadline does not apply to federal returns or to SC taxpayers who file paper returns.
File Electronically
The 2012 tax season has begun and the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) is urging taxpayers to file their income tax returns electronically.
South Carolina is a national leader in the percentage of its taxpayers that file electronically. Of the 2.1 million returns processed in 2011, 1,692,965 were filed electronically with taxpayers receiving an average refund of $837.
Electronic filers may receive a refund in as little as 10 days, as compared to those who file a paper return, which could take an average of three weeks to receive a refund.
In South Carolina, taxpayers can file their state income tax return electronically by purchasing and using commercial tax preparation software, having a professional tax preparer file for them, or using Free File through SCDOR’s website.
Qualified SC taxpayers can take advantage of free tax preparation services available through Free File in order to electronically prepare and file their state and federal income tax returns simultaneously for free. Since its inception in 2003, the Free File Alliance has offered 70 percent of taxpayers free access to leading commercial tax preparation software. While users benefit from Free File’s automatic check for accuracy, the program is also user-friendly, completely paperless, safe and secure. Taxpayers with an income of $57,000 or less can visit www.sctax.org and click on the Free File icon to e-file their return with one of the six vendors offered.
New in 2012, taxpayers receiving a state income tax refund will be mailed a prepaid debit card containing the amount of their refund, in place of a paper check. In addition, taxpayers have the option to choose direct deposit or to receive a paper check if they do not wish to receive a debit card. Direct deposit is the refund method preferred by SCDOR.
To learn more about filing your taxes electronically, or to check on the status of your refund, visit www.sctax.org or call the individual income tax section of SCDOR at (803) 898-5709.
Tax Scams
During the individual income tax filing season, there is often an increase in tax-related scams.
The SC Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers to be aware of fraudulent phone calls, text messages, emails or other forms of communication that may ask for personal identifying information such as birth date, social security numbers, address, mother’s maiden name, driver’s license number or other private information.
The SC Department of Revenue typically contacts taxpayers via standard mail and then a phone call for follow up when requested. Occasionally communication will be made by email if an employee is responding to a taxpayer’s inquiry. If a taxpayer contacts DOR, an employee may then ask for personal information in order to access their files.
Taxpayers should be cautious during this tax season of persons contacting them to offer tax advice or help with filing their taxes.
Individuals with concerns can contact the SC Department of Revenue directly at (803) 898-5000 or visit www.sctax.org.
