{Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2015 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.}

The IRS requires that you file your taxes by midnight on April 15. Even with this deadline set in stone, you may still be unable to get your taxes filed in time. If that is the case, you are not alone. According to a study by IPX, roughly 31% of Americans procrastinate filing their taxes. So if April 15 has passed and you haven't filed, here are a few things you can do to minimize the consequences of late filing.

Identity thieves prey on unsuspecting victims throughout the entire year. However, as tax season approaches, these criminals ramp up their efforts to steal your identity and your money.


While you should always remain on guard against this threat, you should heighten your awareness and be ready to act during tax season. You can keep your identity, your money, and your future secure by understanding why and how these thieves operate, as well as what you can do to stop them.

Scammers and identity thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets. However, they are at their busiest during tax season. During this hectic time of year, these criminals launch realistic scams that aim to steal money and identities from unknowing individuals.

From start to finish, an IRS levy can take months, if not years to complete. After it notifies you of its intent to levy your earnings, the IRS can generally continue its collection efforts until it is paid in full.

Even so, you can protect yourself financially and legally by understanding how this process works. This information will help you determine if you should appeal the levy or if you can satisfy the debt through other means.

When couples divorce or separate, they must face the question of child support if they have minor children together. After the court has issued the order for this support to be paid, both parties then may wonder how this money will affect their income and their tax returns.

With the Affordable Care Act in full effect, taxpayers understandably have concerns about how the ACA will affect their returns this year. In fact, this new health care law may have significant implications and even substantial penalties if you failed to comply fully with it.