April 17 marks last day to file taxes

As the tax season deadline closes in on working class America, the Internal Revenue Service forewarns students to file taxes early in hopes of receiving tax refunds on time.
According to their website, today is the last day to file income taxes for 2006.
As Southern University students prepares to meet the tax deadline, some students feel it is necessary to consult a tax accountant when in doubt of filing income taxes.
“When tax season comes around, I simply bring all my paperwork to my tax clerk and let her handle the rest,” said Aevin Dugas, a senior education major from Napoleonville. “There are so many forms, I just don’t know which one to file.”
For Jelen Giron, a junior psychology major from Seattle, knowing which forms to file isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
“I personally do my own taxes,” Giron said. “Once I have completed the form, I mail it to the tax evaluator to confirm my yearly income and they process everything else.”
According to Alex Lewis, a certified public accountant of 15 years, students need to know the “ins and outs” when filing taxes that could later help them in the long run.
“The IRS now requires a receipt with all charity donations,” Lewis said.
Lewis said contributions like an individual retirement account can be made until April of 2007 and still be counted as a deduction on a return.
“If (you) intend on donating to a charity soon, do it before the year ends and don’t forget to get a receipt,” he said.
Lewis also said hybrid car owners who bought their vehicles after January 1, 2006 can get a tax credit and citizens who have paid long-distance after February 28, 2003 can get a telephone tax credit.
“These are just some helpful tips that some accountants neglect to mention to tax payers when filing,” Lewis said.
According to Lewis, “President Bush signed a bill extending the sales tax deduction. No date was given as (a) deadline.”
“The bill was passed to ensure that citizens in select states (could) file tax write-off from what they spent this year,” Lewis said.