Davis Tax Services, LLP

Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026

Countdown to April 15:

Make your tax appointment online

I'm back to doing in-person appointments now. You can set your tax appointment online. Check available times anytime, day or night. Just go to our Appointments page.

Need to change an appointment you've already scheduled? You can do that online, too.

We will continue to prepare and file tax returns virtually as well. To provide your tax documents to us, you may:

1. Upload electronic documents (PDF, etc) to our secure online file space. (Email us for details)
2. Place paper documents in the black and white lockbox next to my office door (drop slot in the top, under the flap).
3. Snail mail paper documents to our office.

You can also email documents, although that method is not secure. If you don't have a scanner, you can photograph documents with a smartphone.

July 15 -- wait or file now?

Because the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down so many businesses, the IRS postponed the filing and payment dates for returns and payments due April 15, 2020.

But should you wait the extra three months to file? Maybe not.

First, if you expect a refund, file now if you can and get it sooner.

Also, if you get a refund direct-deposited, IRS will use that bank info to direct deposit the Economic Stimulus Payment. Otherwise, a check will be mailed, but that may take a few months to arrive.

IRS will use direct deposit information from 2019 returns if they have been filed. If not, they will pull from your 2018 return. If you have changed banks since filing your 2018 return, you will want to file your 2019 return quickly so IRS has your current bank information.

What if you owe?

There's still a good reason to file earlier: beat scammers from filing a fraudulent return in your name and nabbing a refund -- and possibly your Economic Stimulus Payment.

Just because you file now doesn't mean you have to pay now. You will still have until July 15 to pay IRS and Arizona without penalty.

If you are considering contributing to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Self-Employed Retirement Plan (SEP), you have until July 15 to make your contribution. The contribution does not have to be made before you file. If you're going to get a refund, filing now will give you cash from the refund that you can use to fund your IRA.

Contributions to charities and schools for the Arizona "dollar-for-dollar" credits still have to be made by Apr. 15.

If you need more time beyond July 15 to pull together your personal tax return, an extension can be filed up to July 15. The extension will move the filing date to Oct. 15, but any balance due still needs to be paid by July 15.

CP53E notice causes confusion

Many taxpayers are receiving a new IRS Notice, CP53E, that says IRS doesn't have the correct bank account information to direct deposit your refund.

The notice is confusing because it is so generic. Even taxpayers who owe money have received it. The letter covers both returns where incorrect account info was entered so a refund could not be deposited, and where no bank identification was entered.

IRS is pushing direct deposit as part of their effort to phase out paper checks, both for refunds and balance due payments. Taxpayers without bank accounts will be paid by prepaid debit cards or some mobile apps.

The letter's solution is to set up an IRS account to do business with them electronically. However, setting up the account is cumbersome because of their strict anti-fraud procedures.

What the notice does NOT say is that if they can't direct deposit, they will mail the refund to you. You will still get the refund ... just slower.

For more information, look at Understanding your CP53E notice and Questions and answers about Modernizing Payments.