Georgia Department of Revenue Reminds Taxpayers Filing Deadline is April 15

ATLANTA — The Department of Revenue would like to remind taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2009 Georgia individual income tax return that they have until Thursday midnight to file it unless they request and are granted an extension.
 
Georgia taxpayers receive an automatic six-month extension to file their state tax return when they receive an extension to file their federal tax return. Taxpayers who do not require a federal extension can request a Georgia extension by submitting Georgia Form IT-303. The extension form should be attached to and submitted with the original return when it is filed.
 
Taxpayers should be aware that an extension to file does not extend the deadline to pay any tax owed to Georgia; it only extends the filing deadline. Any tax due should be estimated, attached to Georgia Form IT-560 and submitted by the April 15 deadline to avoid a late payment penalty and interest. Any amount of overpayment will be refunded to the taxpayer once the return is processed.
 
Taxpayers are encouraged to file their return electronically. If there are no errors on the return, taxpayers should receive any tax refund due within seven to ten days if they combine electronic filing with direct deposit into a bank account. Electronic filing also provides confirmation that the return was received by the Department of Revenue and reduces the possibility that an error will be entered into the system.
 
The Department strongly discourages taxpayers from using certified mail with return receipt or any other method that requires the recipient's signature upon delivery. Using any of these methods increases the time required for the return to be delivered to the Department and to process the return. This ultimately will result in a delay for any taxpayer who is due a refund. Taxpayers who want an "official record" that their return was received are encouraged to either purchase a certificate of mailing from the U.S. Postal Service, which is less expensive than certified mail, use first class with delivery confirmation, or certified mail with electronic return receipt requested. These methods provide the taxpayer with an official record that they mailed their return and do not slow down the processing of the tax return.
 
As of April 12, the Department has processed 2.7 million individual income tax returns for tax year 2009, and issued 2.3 million refunds.  
 
In addition to the DOR website, tax information and customer service is also available at any of the Department's regional offices located throughout the state. To find the nearest location, please refer to the government pages of your local phone directory or log onto the DOR website.
 
The status of your refund can be determined by accessing the home page of the DOR website or by calling 1-877-GADOR11 (877-423-6711). 
 
Prior to checking on the status of their tax refund, taxpayers should wait two weeks if they filed electronically, seven weeks if they filed a paper return prior to April 1, or 10 weeks if they filed a paper return after April 1.