Tax filing deadline nears: Prepare now to avoid issues
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – There's less than two weeks left until the deadline to file your taxes.
Springfield officials work together to address federal education funding
If you haven't started yet, experts say you should get your documents together and pick a day to get it done before April 15th. It's a good idea to submit before the deadline in case there are any issues or you find you need an extension.
Massachusetts residents can use the new Direct File IRS system, which is totally free and works for people with simple returns. There is also an option for filing today, but paying later. The IRS Free File Program is also available through their website that includes software that will look for deductibles, credits and exemptions.
Taxpayers can either file through the mail or electronically, but tax professionals say they prefer e-file, as it is more secure. Most tax refunds are received in 21 days if filed online. If filed through the mail, the wait time is generally four weeks.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
36 minutes ago
- Forbes
Senate Confirms Billy Long As The Next IRS Commissioner
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: Former Rep. Billy Long (R-MO), U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be Internal Revenue Service Commissioner, speaks during a Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by) Getty Images The Senate has confirmed former U.S. Representative Billy Long of Missouri as the next commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The vote was 53-44 along party lines, with all Republicans in the Senate voting yes—all of the no votes came from Democrats. The vote puts a period on a process that had grown contentious at times. President Donald Trump announced Long's nomination in December of 2024, even though Danny Werfel was then serving a term as IRS Commissioner that would normally run until late in 2027. Werfel subsequently announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025. Since Long had not yet been confirmed at that time, Werfel was replaced by Doug O'Donnell, who had served as Acting Commissioner following Werfel's departure. O'Donnell left his position on February 28, 2025 and was replaced by then IRS Chief Operating Officer Melanie Krause. Krause announced her departure in April 2025, following the tax agency's agreement to share immigrant tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Michael Faulkender joined the revolving doors at the IRS as the Acting Commissioner on April 18, 2025—he has been in the position since that time. Long will now officially take the reins at the tax agency. Long does not have any formal training in tax, law, or accounting, does not have a college degree, and never served in Congress on a tax writing committee. He dropped out of the University of Missouri before returning to school—this time, to an auction training program at the Missouri Auction School. He was told, he explained to Auctioneer Magazine, that it was the "Harvard of auctioneering schools.' There, he earned his Certified Auctioneer designation. Once he made the career switch to auctioneering, Long says he averaged about 200 auctions per year for 20 years. Today, he is in the National Auction Association Hall of Fame. In 2010, Long was elected as the U.S. Representative of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, serving until 2023. He subsequently ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 but lost in the Republican primary. While in the House, Long served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Republican Steering Committee. He did not serve on any tax or finance committees. However, he was awarded the "Tax Fighter Award" by the National Tax Limitation Committee (the organization appears to no longer exist—its former website now points to a Thai gambling site). IRS Commissioners are appointed for a five-year term that runs from the date of appointment (as opposed to the date of Senate confirmation). Before Trump's announcement, Werfel had previously indicated that he intended to serve out his term, which was slated to expire in 2027. Before Werfel, Charles Rettig, a tax lawyer and Trump appointee, served as Commissioner. Rettig left office on November 12, 2022, at the end of his term, which began on October 1, 2018, after he was confirmed. Long was confirmed despite concerns about his ties to companies that promoted controversial tax credits, including a nonexistent 'tribal tax credit and the employee retention tax credit (ERC). Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, pulled no punches at Long's May 20 confirmation hearing, saying, 'Congressman Long's experience with tax issues came after he left Congress, when he dove headlong into the tax scam industry.' Democrats also expressed concern that Long might allow political interference from the White House at the tax agency, an issue that has been in the spotlight more since Trump threatened to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status. Long has reposted social media posts critical of Harvard, Columbia, and other tax-exempt organizations. When questioned about the issue by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Long initially suggested that he would seek legal advice to determine whether it would be appropriate for the president to direct the IRS to conduct an investigation or audit. Long replied, 'I'm gonna follow the law, and if that's the law, yes.' Warren confirmed that it was the law, reading aloud part of the statute (Section 7217), which she had sent to him in advance. Since Long is serving out the remainder of Werfel's term, he is expected to serve through November 12, 2027.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
New BJ's Wholesale Club location coming to Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A new wholesale club will be opening a location in the Springfield area later this year. Springfield woman arrested for DUI, files false report after hitting trooper In a news release sent to 22News from a communications agency, a new BJ's Wholesale Club will be located at 1655 Boston Road, the site of Springfield Crossing, a new mall coming to Springfield. There is no specific date for the opening, however it is slated to open later this year. This new location will be the club's first new store in Massachusetts in 13 years. The new club will also create 100 to 150 new jobs, provide weekly food donations to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and offer savings of up to 25 percent off grocery store prices to its members. Springfield Crossing is under construction with an expected cost $65-$85 million, and will bring stores like PetSmart, Hobby Lobby, and Skechers to the neighborhood. Developers have also included Chick-fil-A and Chipotle, all of which are confirmed for the site. BJ's is a Marlborough-based company that launched in Medford in 1984 and plans to open 25 to 30 new clubs over the next two fiscal years. 'For more than 40 years, BJ's has been delivering unbeatable value to families – and that all started right here in Massachusetts,' said Bob Eddy, Chairman and CEO, BJ's Wholesale Club. 'As we've become one of the largest companies based in Massachusetts, we're excited to continue growing in our backyard – contributing to our communities and helping take care of the families who depend on us.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pre-order Father's Day treats at local pastry shop
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Father's Day is this weekend, and the National Retail Federation expects it to be a record-breaking year in terms of spending. One arrested after crashing into police cruisers on I-291 in Springfield In Springfield, La Fiorentina Pastry Shop is taking pre-orders through Saturday morning. Those interested in calling ahead to order pastries are urged to do so by 10 a.m. Saturday morning. 'Chocolate usually is a big thing for the guys, the boozy stuff, the tiramisu, the bubba rum, but can't go wrong with cannolis and cheesecake,' said Mauro Daniele, general manager, La Fiorentina Pastry Shop. The pastry shop will also be open on Father's Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for coffee, breakfast, or dessert. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
