(Washington, DC) With the April 17 filing deadline mere days away, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Sherryl Hobbs Newman and the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) would like to remind taxpayers of simple tips to remember as they race to file their tax returns.

Extended Customer Service Hours: Customer service specialists will be available to assist taxpayers from 8:15 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, April 17. Free preparation of District individual income tax returns is available at the walk-in center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE, on the first floor. Simply bring a copy of your completed federal tax return, supporting W-2 forms and schedules, and a valid driver’s license or state identification. Telephone assistance is available by calling (202) 727-4TAX (4829).

Electronic Filing and Payment Options: Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns online, for FREE, through the District’s electronic Taxpayer Service Center or the federal/state e-file program and to take advantage of OTR’s free eCheck or credit card payment options.

Avoid Common Errors: When preparing their District tax returns, taxpayers are reminded to avoid common filing errors by:

• Indicating on their return if their address is new.
• Ensuring that their mailing address, including the apartment number if applicable, is entered only on the first line for returns filed electronically.
• Verifying withholding payments and the state to which they were paid on their W-2s before entering the amount on their return, and ensuring that the Social Security number reflected on their W-2 statement is correct.
• Including with their return W-2 statement(s); the federal 1040 form, if required; all applicable federal schedules, such as the Schedule A for itemized deductions; and the District’s Schedule S for additional exemptions (dependents, over 65, blind, etc).
• Indicating the number of months that they were a District resident, if they are a part-year filer, and pro-rating their income, exemptions and deductions.
• Signing and dating their tax return and check, and making checks payable to the DC Treasurer.
• Filing an extension (Form FR-127), if needed, on or before April 17 and paying the amount of tax due.
• Mailing their return to the correct address:
  • If you expect a refund, have a zero balance or have a balance due and are not enclosing a payment, mail your income tax return to: Income Tax Processing, PO Box 209, Washington, DC 20044-0209.
  • If you have a balance due and are enclosing a payment, mail your income tax return, payment and D-4OP payment voucher to: Income Tax Processing, PO Box 7182, Washington, DC 20044-7182.