Tax Offices Busy as Deadline Nears

Rick Herrick normally spends his weekends cruising around town on his black and aqua Harley Davidson, with little on his mind other than to enjoy the sights and sounds from his prized bike.

But Sunday, the 46-year-old Anaheim truck driver had to take a detour to the H&R; Block office on Chapman Avenue. Before speeding off to the post office with his tax return tucked inside his black leather vest, Herrick offered the same excuse millions of people use to explain why they wait until the last minute to file their taxes.

“I just didn’t do it because I procrastinated,” he said. “At one point in my life, I didn’t file taxes for about eight years because I just didn’t get around to doing it. Even though I was supposed to get a refund, I just didn’t do it and then had to pay a penalty.”

To meet today’s federal and state tax filing deadline, accountants across Orange County spent Sunday dealing with a rush of last-minute filers. As people crowded their waiting rooms armed with stacks of papers and receipts, the tax preparers remained calm and said they have become used to the annual bombardment of clients as the Internal Revenue Service deadline nears.

“We all procrastinate,” said certified public accountant William D. Remy, who worked Sunday at his Anaheim office. “And after we do it for a year, it becomes a habit. We just don’t want to face up to it.”

Even Remy has had to file for an extension on his own taxes.

“I don’t know an accountant in Orange County who doesn’t need an extension,” he said. “We all need the extra time.”

Remy pointed to a thick stack of papers on his desk and said many of his clients are seeking extensions because they need the extra six months to get their financial records in shape.

“Every one of them says they’ll do better next year, but they never do,” he said.

The U.S. Postal Service, however, urges customers to avoid the crowds by mailing their tax returns as soon as possible.

For much of Sunday, the Garden Grove H&R; Block office was filled with customers picking up their tax returns, dropping them off or asking a variety of questions.

Brandy Hall tried to pick up an EZ form, but the line was too long.

Joy Connell showed up at H&R; Block the day before the tax deadline because she said her W-2 form was sent to the wrong house.

“Normally, I file it on time, but this time, I couldn’t.”

And Dorothy Estrada said she waited until the last weekend because she didn’t have the money to pay her taxes until now.

J.D. Rinde, district manager at the Garden Grove office, said Sunday was busier than normal because last weekend was Easter and this year, tax returns are due on a Monday.

But new computer programs have made filing taxes much easier and quicker for his staff.

“People are having to wait less because of excellent computer programs,” he said. “We now spend less time on details, and we don’t have to do any of the number crunching anymore.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Last Chance

Unless you have requested an extension, midnight tonight is the deadline to mail tax returns. The following post offices will remain open until midnight to accept and postmark returns:

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Irvine Main Post Office

15642 Sand Canyon Road

Retail hours until 8 p.m.

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Santa Ana North Grand Station

2201 N. Grand Ave.

Retail hours until 8 p.m.

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Newport Beach Post Office

1133 Camelback St.

Retail hours until 10 p.m.

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Costa Mesa Post Office

1590 Adams Ave.

Retail hours until 8 p.m.

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Laguna Niguel Post Office

29911 Niguel Road

Retail hours until 9 p.m.

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Anaheim Post Office

701 N. Loara St.

Retail hours until 8 p.m.

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Santa Ana Processing Center

3101 W. Sunflower Ave.

Retail hours until 10 p.m.

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Orange Post Office

15642 San Canyon Road

Retail hours until 10 p.m.

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Huntington Beach Post Office

6771 Warner Ave.

Retail hours until 10 p.m.

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Mission Viejo Post Office

28081 Marguerite Parkway

Retail hours until 7 p.m.

Note: The Placentia Post Office at 1400 N. Kraemer Blvd. will collect and postmark tax returns and have full retail operations until 8 p.m. Monday night.

Source: United States Postal Service