With the deadline to file 2019 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns
set for July 15, the Department of Revenue is encouraging taxpayers who
need help with their returns to call the department’s main call center.
The department’s Customer Experience Center is available by calling
717-787-8201. The call center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
non-holiday weekdays through Wednesday, July 15. Taxpayers may also
schedule a call at a time that is convenient for them.
The deadline to file tax returns typically falls on April 15. However,
this year taxpayers were granted an additional 90 days to file their
2019 returns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extension of this year’s tax-filing deadline to July 15 applied to
both final 2019 tax returns and payments, as well as estimated payments
for the first and second quarters of 2020. The department also waived
penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments through the
new deadline of July 15. In addition to the assistance over the phone
that is available by calling 717-787-8201, the Department of Revenue
also offers help through its Online Customer Service Center.
As a reminder, tax returns that are filed electronically are processed
faster, leading to taxpayers receiving their refunds sooner.
Pennsylvanians can file their state tax returns by using such paper-less
e-filing options as: Padirectfile
(
https://padirectfile.state.pa.us/authentication.asp) and free
electronic filing
(
https://www.revenue.pa.gov/OnlineServices/PersonalIncomeTaxe-Services/efile/Pages/Free-E-File-Vendors.aspx).
Paid tax preparers and commercial tax preparation software providers
offer e-filing for a fee.
Taxpayers who need in-person assistance will need to schedule an
appointment at one of the Department of Revenue’s district offices. The
department is asking taxpayers to make appointments to assist with
social distancing and other health protocols due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Visit the COVID-19 information page on the department’s website,
www.revenue.pa.gov, for a list of the district offices that are
currently accepting appointments. Assistance at district offices is
available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and taxpayers
are encouraged to bring their Social Security cards with them to
facilitate tax filing.
Taxpayers can check the status of their income tax refunds online by
visiting the department’s website and selecting the Where’s My Income
Tax Refund? link on the department’s homepage; or by calling
1-888-PATAXES to find out the status of their refunds. Taxpayers will be
prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund
amount to obtain the current status. Free tax forms and instructions are
available at
www.revenue.pa.gov.
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