MOUNT VERNON — Last-minute tax filers kept the doors of the city income tax office swinging on Tuesday, as one after another stopped in to drop off forms and meet the April 15 deadline.
One of those who stopped in was Tristin Deem, a 16-year-old Mount Vernon High School student. Tristin, with her mother at her side, made her first trip to the office to pay her taxes, and said filling out the forms was easy. She said she waited until the last minute because she was busy with work and track; she said she will probably try to fill out the forms earlier next year.
Her mother, Jennifer Deem, said they didn’t know that people under 18 years of age are entitled to receive a full refund for the total amount of city income tax withheld.
Debbie Tyson, tax administrator, said her staff was very busy on Tuesday. She said that about half of those who came in on Tuesday had taxes withheld from their employer; the other half handles paying their city taxes themselves.
“We think it was busier this year than last year,” she said. “I think people may have held off longer.”
The income office, at 3 N. Gay St., stayed open extra hours on Monday and Tuesday, and even opened for three hours on Saturday to accomodate last-minute filers.
Tyson said city residents who failed to file are subject to either a $25 late fee or 10 percent of the amount of unpaid taxes due to the city. There is also a 1 percent interest rate assessed on the delinquent tax. She said people who work in the city and have their city income taxes withheld by their employer do not have to file a return, but all city residents with earned income — the ordinance does not specify an amount — have to file a return.
“We are hoping, for next tax season, to be able to allow people to do their taxes online,” she said. “We are working with a couple of different companies and with other cities.”
