Additional Extensions For 2003
As I've long said, it's much better to take your time and file as accurate an original tax return as possible than to rush and do a half-assed job that requires filing an amended return later.

This is even more important now than ever because I have noticed a recent trend in IRS starting full blown audits of tax returns where an amended return was filed requesting a refund of overpaid taxes. I will write more later about my experiences with this tactic, which is nothing more than an abusive and punitive fishing expedition by IRS, hoping to find other errors that can be used to offset the refund request.

So, rather than whip together an erroneous 1040 to meet today's deadline for the first additional extension request, it's best to send in another Form 2688. We just sent off 75 of them to the IRS service centers, requesting a new filing date of December 15.

We will probably be sending another 30 or so 2688s by Dec. 15, moving the due date to February 15, 2005 because of traumatic events in the lives of those clients (deaths, illnesses, etc) that have made it impossible to even start working on their 2003 income taxes.

- posted by Kerry M. Kerstetter, MBA~CPA~ATP~ATA @ 10/15/2004 11:22:00 AM Send this post: