As tax filing deadlines approach, a local tax expert reminds residents of what they can do to make tax filing as easy as possible.

H&R Block Area Manager for Washington, Sigourney and Columbus Junction Terri Bain says that the first step is to have proper identification and gather all necessary tax forms such as your W-2, 1099, bank statements such as home mortgage interest and letters showing you received stimulus and advance child tax credit payments. She says those in special circumstances such as death or divorce will need to bring additional documents. Bain encourages people to remain patient during this time as impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt throughout the system, “Have an open mind. Especially people from prior years, we’re in the same situation, we know it’s frustrating. We do try to recommend to people, since the IRS has not been answering phone calls or didn’t answer them last year during all of the confusion, they did come out with irs.gov, the online services account. Go on there, you can check the status of your returns, you can check income that’s been reported on your social security number, you can check all of that information on there. It does take a little time to get it set up but that’s kind of what we’re recommending. Just have patience, everybody is in the same boat, we all have the same goal.”

For area farmers, the deadline to file before penalties start is Tuesday, March 1st with the federal filing deadline on April 18th and Iowa’s deadline on May 2nd. Bain added that there is no added advantage to filing online or in person and that having the correct documents is most important. She says that at H&R Block, they are continuing to take health and safety precautions by wearing masks with glass dividers at desks to help make everyone feel comfortable.