By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Department of Revenue and Taxation is gearing up for the tax filing deadline, which falls this year on Tuesday, April 17.
The tax filing deadline was moved for a day by the federal government because Monday is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday for the District of Columbia.
Because the Internal Revenue Service is allowing this holiday in the mainland, DRT decided to extend the tax filing deadline on Guam to April 17.
Although the tax filing deadline has been extended, the government of Guam will not be closed to observe the holiday. According to DRT, it will be open today to accommodate the expected surge of last minute-filers.
A number people traditionally file their income taxes at the last minute, rushing to DRT on the last day of filing, so DRT expects a large number of people filing their taxes today and tomorrow.
DRT, however, is confident about meeting the challenge of accommodating last-minute filers because it is already well settled in its new facilities at the old Price Smart building in lower Barrigada.
Benefits of DRT’s new facility include a bigger parking lot and a larger office space that would allow more DRT staffers to be deployed to handle income tax filers.
In addition, DRT now allows residents to file their 1040EZ income tax return over the Internet.
Residents who are single or are married with no dependents can file their tax over the Internet at www.myguamtax.com.
But for those who plan to file at the DRT office, the department plans to set up special workstations that can assist people in filing their taxes.
People who still have to file after DRT closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday can file their tax returns or applications for extensions in special drop boxes.