Tax season is here and accountant gives insight on what filers should know

SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- Consuella Hopkins, 25-year owner of Consuella’s Accounting and Tax, said she’s been super busy getting last minute tax returns done.  Hopkins said she’s noticed people are waiting longer especially with all of the new tax changes.

Hopkins mentioned that the government shutdown was one of the many reasons people held off on doing taxes, because they felt uncertain about what the shutdown mean for filing. Another reason is because the filing process has become more complex. She said this is a time for people to pay close attention when filing this year.

 “Pay attention to what the laws are,” said Hopkins. "Make sure everything you’re putting on your taxes is accurate and it’s correct. Therefore it just helps things run more smoothly through the system itself when you do file.”

According to the IRS as the tax deadline is nearing about 50 million people still need to file. And about 153 million individual tax returns for the 2018-tax year are expected to be filed during 2019, with millions expected just before the April deadline.  

Hopkins advises anyone who may be running behind on their taxes to file for an extension if they won't make the April 15 deadline.