Time Is Up For Tax Procrastinators

Today Is The Deadline For Most, Northeasterners Have Until Tuesday

(CBS/AP)  For most Americans who have put off doing income taxes until the last minute – time's up.

Because the 15th fell on a Saturday, people have until midnight Monday to get their returns in the mail or request an extension.

But, some in the Northeast get even one more day. Taxpayers who live in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont or Washington DC have until Tuesday because Monday is Patriots Day — the annual commemoration of the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775.

Residents who lived in any one of the counties or parishes severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina also get extra time. They don't have to settle up with Uncle Sam until August 28th.

The impending deadline should not be a problem for most Americans. According to a new CBS News poll, 70 percent of taxpayers had already filed their returns by last week. Only 4 percent of those polled thought they would have to file for an extension. (For complete poll results, click here.)

HAVE YOU FILED YOUR 2005 INCOME TAXES?

Already filed
70%
Will get them done
16%
Applied for extension
4%
Not thinking about it
4%
Don’t file
5%

In a shift of opinion, a majority now thinks the amount of federal income taxes they pay is fair. In 1997, when Bill Clinton was president, 47 percent of taxpayers thought they were paying more than their fair share, but that number went up 11 percent this year. Although a third says still says they pay more than they should.

DO YOU PAY YOUR FAIR SHARE OF INCOME TAXES?

More than fair share
34%
Less than fair share
1%
About right amount
58%