Time to file?

From: "Gordon"

No. Those who file early have less of a chance of malicious actors filing a fraudulent tax return in your name.

"ID theft and fraud"

"This scam is at the top of the IRS list. It happens when someone uses your personal information, including your Social Security number, to fraudulently file a tax return and a claim a refund. This has been so broadly used that the IRS now has a special section of its site dedicated to this problem. Victims should contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit online or by calling 800-908-4490. "

Thanks, David. On the basis of what you've said I will go ahead with my electronic filing today. I was just a bit concerned that they might chance something after I had filed and I would have to go through a tedious process of filing a revised return. Gordon

If you're certain you won't have any trailing forms, you're probably OK.

A couple of years ago, I filed in mid-Feb, only to receive a trailing 1099 that wasn't mailed until late Feb.

From the latest TurboTax update (1/28/15) - "?The last batch of IRS tax forms (except 1040-X) have been finalized". So you probably can file; OTOH, I've seen TT give 'updates' even after filing season ends (for probably end of season updates, nothing major), so I tend to file late in the cycle (around 1 April) just in case something comes up (like a retroactive credit, or late legislation).

If you can wait (ie: don't need your refund immediately (assuming you're getting one), I personally don't see the harm in waiting, rather than finding out one needs to do an additional 1040-X because you forgot something ("geez, I missed this 1099-MISC")or Congress gives you a bennie.

One caveat is that the longer one waits, the better the odds that someone else might file a return under your name in a scam. Hard to believe this, but supposedly, it's better to get your return in early as possible to mitigate this possibility!)

Thanks, Andrew. This makes sense but I have one more problem...I'm in a state of failing health and may not be able to do this, later. I'm hoping for the best and my health condition may clear up and settle down but it may get worse...who knows??? Gordon

guessing you have received ALL of any 1099's or other docs you need to transcribe into TTax ?

I usuallly have to wait till mid Feb to receive all of my 1099 docs -

--> Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard, TRowe, ALLY, Chase, etc

A lot of restoration of things that expired in 2013 waited until almost New Years but there are no further changes in 2014 tax law forthcoming. Just make sure you have all your income documents. Things like broker statements are not yet at their due date for being mailed.

I used to have to wait until June or July to receive a K1 form, it was pretty damn irritating but there was nothing to be done about it.

It's "interesting" that both David Lipman and I independently pointed out a drawback in waiting is that other crooks can file a fraudulent return before you file your 'valid' one if you wait too long. And lo and behold, we see today all hell braking loose with problems with TurboTax stopping state filings due to such fraudulent filing issues. An article about this

has the paragraph:

"Usually what happens is they go and file their own tax refund and when they get a notification from the IRS that there's already a return that's been submitted. They then discover that somebody has already filed, using their information," he said.

(PS: I wish you well in a hopeful health recovery.)

Thanks, Andrew. I got both my state and Federal tax returns filed electronically earlier this week. I have gotten e-mail messages from both the state and Federal tax offices stating that my return had been received and accepted. I guess they will go ahead and deposit the miniscule quarterly estimates over-payments balances to my account.

I'd rather have "miniscule quarterly estimates over-payments" than "massive quarterly estimates under-payments". Count your pennies!