The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is reminding taxpayers that the deadline to file their state income tax returns is Monday, April 15.
“The DRS continues to focus on delivering the highest-quality services during the busy income tax filing season,” said Commissioner Scott D. Jackson. “Connecticut has consistently superb levels of voluntary tax compliance – thanks to taxpayers, the practitioner community, and the team of professionals here at DRS – which we expect to continue and will always work to improve upon.”
Last year (for tax year 2017), more than 1.88 million individual state income tax returns were filed with DRS. Approximately 9 out of 10 of the returns were filed electronically.
For those yet to file their Connecticut income tax returns, DRS offered the following suggestions:
1. File electronically.
The DRS encourages online filing of state taxes via the Taxpayer Service Center, which is easy, secure, and free to use, as well as use of direct deposit for those anticipating an income tax refund.
2. Seek information and assistance.
The DRS offers information and assistance online, by phone, and at four walk-in locations. Walk-in offices are open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The DRS experiences an extremely high volume of walk-in customers, phone calls, and website traffic in the days leading up to the state income tax filing deadline; as such, taxpayers should plan for wait times that are longer than usual. A visit to the DRS website and Taxpayer Service Center can often provide needed answers and information from where the taxpayer sits.
Taxpayers meeting certain income thresholds can also access free tax preparation and filing assistance from the American Association of Retired Persons’ Tax-Aide program, the Community Accounting Aid and Services, Inc., the UCONN Law School Tax Clinic, and the federally-run Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Again, be aware of high customer volume as the tax filing deadline approaches.
3. Know that non-exempt paid tax preparers must be registered.
Connecticut law now requires non-exempt, paid tax preparers who prepare more than 10 Connecticut income tax returns or more than 10 federal income tax returns for Connecticut clients, or a combination of both, for a fee, to obtain a permit. To date, 1,678 paid tax preparers have registered with DRS. Those with questions should visit the DRS Hiring a Tax Preparer page. Taxpayers interested in verifying the license status of a paid tax preparer can visit Verify A License, Permit or Registration.
Finally, an extension to file your state income tax return is not an extension to pay outstanding taxes that are due. Those who do not pay the full amount of their state income tax liability by April 15 may face penalties and interest.
DRS Website
DRS Telephone Numbers
– 860-297-5962 (from anywhere)
– 800-382-9463 (within CT, outside Greater Hartford area only)
– 860-297-4911 (Hearing Impaired, TDD/TT users only)
