No big crunch as last-minute tax filers make deadline at Worcester post office
WORCESTER – Even in today’s high-tech world of tax filing, as more than 90% of filers do so electronically, there are still those who prefer the old-fashioned way.
That was the case Monday morning at the Joseph D. Early Post Office on East Central Street, where some taxpayers are just fine with the U.S. Postal Service being the delivery system that will ensure compliance with Tuesday's filing deadline.
Joe Ciandella of Worcester was cheerful as he waited in line to file his return. Ciandella said he normally files a month before the deadline, but lamented that the process of inspecting tax documents has become “so complex.”
Forms change yearly, said Ciandella, noting that if he accidentally checks the wrong box, his whole return can be out of whack, swinging his numbers by hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
More: Don't fret: IRS deadline for filing taxes is three days later this year on April 18
'Plain scary'
“Taxes are just plain scary,” said Ciandella, 76. “I try to be as honest as I can, but I still feel something could happen.”
Federal filing was extended this year by three days to midnight Tuesday because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia.
The same rule applies for filing Massachusetts state taxes. They would have been due this year on Tuesday anyway because the state holiday Patriot's Day fell on Monday.
Vastly different landscape
Monday's calm scene at the post office was vastly different compared to the days before electronic filing. In those years, hordes of frantic procrastinators hustled in to file at the last minute, resulting in the post office bringing in extra staff and extending hours to midnight.
Those days are gone, as many of Monday's customers were there to get new passports or transact normal business, like mailing a package or getting stamps.
But there were a few customers who hadn't filed their taxes yet.
One was Carmen Cimpan. Filing is late this year for Cimpan, because the form W-2 that reports wages and withholding arrived late this year.
“I'm pretty sure I will get a refund,” said the 54-year-old Worcester resident.
If that happens, Cimpan thinks she’ll put some in the bank and use the rest to help pay for a vacation.
“You have to have a little fun in your life,” said Cimpan.
Filed weeks ago
Unlike Cimpan and Ciandella, many who shared their stories said they filed their returns weeks ago.
Wearing a Worcester Red Sox cap while he checked his personal mail box, Chris Gates of Worcester already received a refund check.
“It beats having to pay,” said Gates.
Brittany Bird filed in early February.
“I do my taxes as soon as possible,” said the 33-year-old Bird.
Like Bird, Peter Sunkwa of Shrewsbury doesn’t wait until the last minute. He filed earlier this month, and got some money back, declining to disclose the amount. Only sharing that the amount was “good.”
“I always want to do my taxes early, in case there needs to be a correction,” said Sunkwa.
Anxious yearly
Ciandella, the filer who called the exercise “scary,” is confident this year’s return is clean. But like every year, Ciandella can’t seem to get the feeling of uneasiness out of his mind.
“I feel anxious every year.”
Maybe a refund could ease the tension, and Cianelloa hopes that’s the case this year. If it happens, he’ll do what he does every year he gets money back from the government after filing his taxes.
“I put it in the bank for three years,” said Ciandella, explaining the fourth year is when he truly feels comfortable that the money is his.
Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Last-minute tax filers make deadline at Worcester post office
