Options Available For People Who Can't Meet Tax Deadline

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CYBERSPACE (AP) - Have you filed your taxes yet?

If you haven't and are working yourself into a frenzy because you think you're late, take heart. While the filing deadline usually is April 15, taxpayers catch a break this year.

Filers have until April 17 to get square with Uncle Sam without facing a penalty. Why is that? April 15 was a Sunday this year and April 16 was Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, D.C.

If you can't meet the tax deadline, you can file for a six-month extension with Form 4868 by April 17. While you will be able to get extra time to file, you still must pay at least 90 percent of what you owe to avoid a penalty.

If you don't have the moneyto pay, you can apply for a free 120-day extension to pay the bill; use an IRS installment plan; or use a credit or debit card.