What is the last day to paper file ?

[glover0227]

if i decide to paper file , is the date that the paperwork has to be received by April 18th or mailed by?

[GeoffreyG · Accepted solution]

The April 18th deadline is the "mail by" date.  In other words, as long as your tax return (envelope) is postmarked by the Post Office by that date, then it will be considered to have been filed in a timely manner -- even if the IRS and / or your state department of revenue (if applicable) doesn't actually receive your return until several days later.

Of course, you do also have the option of requesting an extension of time to file:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Tax-Extensions/How-Do-I-Get-an-Extension-on-Taxes-/IN...

This will give you up to another 6-months to file your 2016 return (until October 16, 2017).  The same rules about mailing and postmarks also apply to extensions, for those taxpayers who file on paper.

Thank you for asking this important question.