Tax Filers in Alpharetta, Milton Even Make Appointments to Procrastinate

In this final week to file tax returns, the area's dozens of preparation offices are abuzz.

Add in human nature to procrastinate, and anxiety of a threatened federal government shutdown averted Friday, and you have a frenzied week for Alpharetta and Milton preparers and filers.

"It's not so much a panic, but it's funny," said David Frasch, office manager at H&R Block on Alpharetta Highway in Milton. "People call us two months in advance, in January or February, and ask for an appointment on April 14 or 15. Seems everybody wants to wait until the last minute."

This year's filing deadline is Monday, a weekend beyond the typical April 15 date when federal offices in Washington are closed for an Emancipation Day holiday. That's a treat for the greatest procrastinators, those who walk in without appointments, hoping someone will be available to complete their return.

"We're booked this week from open to close," Frasch said. "The only reason we're able to take walk-ins is that some people didn't show (for appointments) and we have some openings."

Lisa Schleicher, franchise owner of a Jackson Hewitt office in nearby Cumming, said walk-ins are welcome, even this week.

"We've got our appointment book we keep full, but we always welcome walk-ins, like any retail establishment," she said. "We're expecting (crowds) this week, but last week was a little lighter because of spring break."

Frasch said questions about the impending government shutdown have been remarkably few. Most knew it wouldn't effect the need to file by Monday. Rather, it might have affected Internal Revenue Service processing of returns, refunds and audits. Those who filed weeks ago, expecting refunds about now, might still be left waiting, however, should Congress not finalize its temporary agreement to keep the government running.

IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman reportedly said nine of 10 filers have done so electronically, eliminating mail time before processing and electronic deposit afterward. Amid lingering concern of a shutdown following this week's government budget extension, electronic filing seems to provide certainty.

During government shutdowns in 1995 and '96, checks from taxpayers were collected, but refunds delayed. Those shutdowns, however, occurred during November and December through January, not the tax-frenzied month of April.

Understanding taxes can be challenging, Kristy Freitas, office manager at Liberty Tax Service in Cumming, likes helping filers learn from the $150 they spend on average for a return. Not only does she speak Spanish, but she's a Certified Public Accountant and has an enrolled IRS agent on staff, too.

"We pride ourselves on helping the individual understand what we're doing, not just producing a return and saying, 'Here you go. Sign this,'" she said, explaining required forms dictate returns' cost. "We kind of go into teaching mode when we're doing someone's return."

Area resident Shaun Phillips, who owns a painting company, claims he doesn't understand taxes and doesn't care to. He doesn't trust himself to complete his return at home and gladly filed electronically from a Liberty office a few weeks ago.

"I wouldn’t try it at home to save my life," he said. "I'm afraid I'd make a costly mistake.

"I believe people who do something the best are the ones who should," he added. "You can paint, but not as fast as I can."

Oddly, no filers were in Freitas' office on Lake Center Parkway around 1 p.m. on tax season's penultimate Saturday. But she expects little rest through Monday and perhaps for late filers some weeks thereafter.

"It's the nature of the beast to come running in the door late," she said.