It's Tax Time: Local Resources to Get You through April 18

We’ve had plenty of time to process the fact that the Illinois General Assembly voted in January to  from 3 to 5 percent. (Take another minute to grumble.)

But there is still a little good news for taxpayers. The deadline for filing a tax return this year has been extended by three days to April 18.

Since that probably means most people will just take an extra three days to procrastinate, we’ve got some local resources to make doing your taxes as pain free as possible.

The  has a wealth of information to help you through tax season.

Starting with the basics, it stocks all the major tax forms, all of which are available free of charge.

The library also has a number of guides to tax preparation, including the federal government’s handbook and nongovernmental resources such as the J.K. Lasser guide. On the Lemont Library website, you can also find links to other helpful tax information. 

If you need free, professional tax advice, the IRS has a Taxpayer Assistance Center in nearby Downers Grove.

This is the place to go if you need help understanding certain forms or have legal questions. The staff also offers free tax preparation services to people earning less than $49,000 a year.

Taxpayers seeking last minute help can also find key information through the IRS website.

• IRS.gov is "open" 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• The 2011 Filing Season Tax Tips, available on www.IRS.gov, provide  information and links to help taxpayers meet the deadline. 
• 1040 Central is the source for individual income tax information.
• Interactive Tax Assistant is a tax law resource that guides taxpayers through a series of questions and provides responses on credits, deductions and general filing questions.

If you've already filed your taxes and you want to check the status of your refund, you can take advantage of the new IRS mobile phone application.

The IRS unveiled a new application for smart phones Jan. 24 called "IRS2Go." The IRS2Go app allows taxpayers to check their refund status and receive tips on tax preparation and planning. Android users can download the app through the Android Marketplace, while iPhone users can access the app through the Apple iTunes Store.

Finally, take advantage of local tax specialists. It might be too late to schedule an appointment, but they are available to answer any last-minute questions or provide extensions, if you're eligible.

Chris and James Patsavas, of , are located on the second floor of the Lemont National Bank building at 1201 State St. For more information, visit their website at www.patsavascpa.com.

, is located at 805 State St., and offers assistances in a wide variety of financial matters. For more information, call 630-243-8100.

Darien Patch Editor Lauren Williamson contributed to this report.