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I’m giving 4 stars and not 5 because… I…

I’m giving 4 stars and not 5 because I was the one calling no one was following up with me. I didn’t receive any receipt of the money I paid and I still have no receipt of the charges I paid so I don’t know what items I paid for $249 plus another $200 plus another $40 for shipping.

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Miracle workers, tricky process

Miracle workers with respect to accomplishing the task in a record amount of time. Initial communication about what an "appointment" means and how the process works was not clear, but I think that is because everyone has different needs and technology abilities. Some might need a physical location with someone to help them, pictures, scan documents, etc., others are completely tech savvy and can do it all from home, most probably need something in between like at a Fedex scan/print location.

Date of experience : April 18, 2024

Excellent service

Great service. Explained the process prior to agreeing the service. Our passports arrived at the promised time frame. Very reasonable cost. Compared to others way much better price.

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

They saved my trip!

They saved my trip! Just as I was about to I realized that my passport didn’t have 6 months of unexpired time. I utilized the 2 week service and my passport arrived before the two week period. The process was easy and seamless.I will recommend them to everyone who needs last minute passport services.

Date of experience : April 05, 2024

I contacted Travel Visa Pro few days before my naturalization Oath ceremony …

I contacted Travel Visa Pro few days before my Oath ceremony for naturalization, because I needed my passport to travel asap. I was on their chat line frequently to make sure my steps were right. I chatted first with Grecian. She was extremely competent, she told me that I could start my application using the notice of naturalization pending the original certificate. That saved me precious time. She led me through all required documents one by one, she made me scan them then she gave me her email address to upload them as pdf. She corrected where I had missed some info or the forms were not completely accurate. When Grecian knew she couldn't be around, she directed me to another representative, Annalyn, who was also extremely competent and made sure that I was going to the appointment with the acceptance agency nearest to my location with all necessary information. At the agency all went fast and smoothly, I wasn't there for more than 30 minutes. I then sent back to Annalyn and Grecian evidence of the sealed envelope that I was going to FedEx to their headquarters for confirmation that all was in order. Period. Same day I went to the main fedex hub and shipped the sealed envelope along with other required docs. I mailed it on the 11th of April and today, the 17th of April I've received an email from Travel PRO with attached the pic of my 1st new US passport along with my other docs. Bottom line, TravelPro proved to be real professional worth their service fees and beyond. Thank you Giovanni Belluso

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

I had just used Travel Visa Pro to apply for visa

I had just used Travel Visa Pro to apply for 4 visas (for all my kids) and I must say: what an easy and FAST experience!!! I highly recommend this company and will definitely always used them in the future! One satisfied customer CA

Date of experience : April 11, 2024

Fast Passport!

Annalyn Castillo was great to work with, very knowledgeable and helpful. My passport arrived today, actually several days earlier than expected.

Date of experience : April 17, 2024

Travel visa pro is good

Travel visa pro is good. I always recommend it to others.

Best service for an expedited passport

Travel Visa Pro helped with expedited passports for myself and my family. They were efficient, communicative, and timely delivered the passports as promised. They took the stress out of the bureaucratic process. I strongly recommend Travel Visa Pro and will definitely work with them again for my travel needs in the future.

Date of experience : April 02, 2024

We had an unusual time constraint and…

We had an unusual time constraint and so needed to expedite the process. We were told to plan on 3 weeks to receive the new passports, which was going to be very close to our deadline. To our surprise, the passports were received one week after our submission.

I had no idea how to get a Brazil Tourist Visa

I had no idea how to get a Tourist Visa for an upcoming trip to Brazil. When i read instructions online, I realized I wasn't going to be able to figure this out myself. Travel Visa Pro was highly recommended by our tour leader and I know why now. They guided me through the process, explained clearly everything I needed to do and voila! Three weeks later I had an approved visa. I highly recommend Travel Visa Pro for when you need a visa.

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

TravelVisaPro is truly a pro

TravelVisaPro is truly a pro. Who knew that getting visas was such a complicated process? We really appreciated all of the quick responses and updates and the guidance throughout the process. Great company and I would definitely use them again.

Date of experience : March 27, 2024

Simple and quick

The service was simple and the process went faster than the timeframe they advertised. They were very communicative through the submission process. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that after I got everything submitted and responded to their emails, I never heard anything back. My visa just showed up in the mail a few days later. Waiting to hear back is the most stressful part, so some updates would be nice.

Date of experience : March 19, 2024

Anna was very helpful

Anna was very helpful. Received my before date I expected it.

Was not 3-4 days

Took forever to get my visa, I paid $700 for the expedited route 3-4 day route and it still took 3 weeks. They are very bad at calling to update you. They delayed my visa because they said my letter of invitation was wrong even though it was correct the whole time. They also had filled in my information on the cova form incorrect in multiple areas. Very displeased with the service and speed of work for the $700 I paid.

Date of experience : April 03, 2024

Ease of documentation

Ease of documentation, I had done it 4 months ago, having most on file already helped. Speed of response - I got my visa back approved in less than 2 weeks after the end of my last trip

Date of experience : March 28, 2024

They are very knowledgeable and very…

They are very knowledgeable and very attentive. They keep us updated on the status.

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

I had a great experience working with Travel Visa Pro.

I had a great experience working with Travel Visa Pro. The person that handled my case did a great job with communicating with me updates on my visa status. She was very courteous and helpful. I appreciated the personal touch of good customer service. Even the people who answered the phone initially were all very friendly. They were thorough with following through with my case until the end.

Kian Torres was a rock star!!!

Kian Torres was a rock star!!!! He truly had me feel as though this was a white glove service, from start to finish’s he kept me updated, assured me when I felt unsure and anxious about the process. I will definitely be using this company again and requesting Kian, specifically!

Date of experience : March 18, 2024

I am very happy with the service provided.

I am very happy with the service provided. Everything was done right and on time. Great communication. All my questions were answered. They contacted me by phone and email when there was some small issue. Everything was resolved quickly. I liked the website very much. It has all information, very detailed instructions, status of the request and very easy to navigate. Great. I was impressed. I would recommend the company to anyone.

Date of experience : March 22, 2024

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Get an Expedited Passport in Los Angeles

Home » Passports » How to Obtain a U.S. Passport

You can apply for an expedited passport in Los Angeles by scheduling an appointment at the regional agency or, if no opening is available before your departure date, employing the assistance of a registered expedited passport courier service. A list of passport expediters in Los Angeles is provided below.

Click for reliable expedited passport courier service .

Rush My Passport 9465 Wilshire Blvd Suite 3093 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 896-8950

CIBT Visa & Passport Services 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 570 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (800) 929-2428

G3 Visas & Passports 9465 Wilshire Blvd Suite 3093 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 896-8950

Its Easy Passport & Visa Services 5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1842 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (213) 973-6403

Travel Document System Passport Services 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2105 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 330-0346

Travel Visa Pro 373 South Doheny Drive, Suite B Beverly Hills, CA (866) 378-1722

Travisa Visa Services 6222 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 210 Los Angeles, CA (323) 932-7300

Visa Express (Visa4You) 501 Shatto Place, Suite 308 Los Angeles, CA 90020 (213) 616-1721

24 Hour Passport and Visas 8170 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 103 Los Angeles, CA 90048 (310) 913-7804

A Briggs Passport & Visa 11601 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA (310) 683-0674

AllStar Passports and Visas 5455 Wilshire Boulevard #1107 Los Angeles, CA (323) 935-7900

Ambassador Passport and Visa Services, Inc. 2811 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 828-7878

Global Visa & Passport Express 8921 S Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 210 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310) 645-2293

Intercontinental Visa and Passport Service 350 S Figueroa St # 185 Los Angeles, CA (213) 625-7175

International Passport & Visa 204 S Beverly Dr #115 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 274-2020

LAX Passport and Visa 1575 Westwood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA (310) 402-8661

Morad Morad Passport & Visa Services 1545 Westwood Blvd., Suite C-100 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 441-2746

Passport & Document Solutions 1434 Westwood Blvd., Storefront #2 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 441-1413

Passport Relief 11041 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 643 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 489-3434

Peninsula Visa 9595 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 900 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 300-8472

Sameday Passport & Visa Services 9911 West Pico Boulevard #103 Los Angeles, CA (310) 402-1619

State Passport & Visa Services, Inc. 714 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 604 Los Angeles, CA (310) 770-8392

WIthout the Stress 5455 Wilshire Boulevard #2117 Los Angeles, CA (888) 727-0617

Related Los Angeles Passport Services

Application Acceptance Facilities in Los Angeles

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Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers

1. How can you get a passport when you're in a hurry? 2. What exactly does a passport expediter do? 3. Are passport expediting services legitimate? 4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor? 5. Is expedited passport service worth it?

You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting .

Get the Latest Updates

Travel Document Systems - Los Angeles, CA Office

The Travel Document Systems Los Angeles office is located at 5455 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 2105, Los Angeles, CA, 90036. We are situated along the Miracle Mile portion of the Mid-Wilshire District; which is centrally located near of all the Los Angeles consulate locations, as well as the United States Los Angeles Passport Agency.

As a satellite office to the second oldest visa and U.S. passport expediting service in the world, the strategic location of our office, and our Los Angeles expedited visa and passport services, gives us the ability to process all of your travel document needs on an accelerated basis. Let TDS take the headache out of foreign visa and U.S. passport processing. TDS visa services are your Portal to the World.

34.062515 -118.3474337

Contact the TDS Los Angeles, CA Office

• 5455 Wilshire Blvd Suite #2100 Los Angeles , CA 90036
• 888-424-8472 (Toll free)
• 323-330-0346 (Local)

Please make an appointment to visit our office.

Prices Travel Visa Pro Los Angeles

Reviews about travel visa pro los angeles.

• Company's official reply August 20, 2021, 10:01 pm Thank you for your feedback. It is worth sharing that when you placed an order on our website, you noted ” [travel] Not yet booked ”. Therefore, you could not miss the trip if it has not been booked yet. We did provided you with very detailed instructions on how to seal and properly execute the paperwork at acceptance facility (i.e. USPS). We, however, cannot be held responsible for professionalism or knowledge of people working at acceptance facilities. I wish you luck in your travel en deavors and stay safe. … – show 0 0 Reply
• Anastasia S. July 20, 2021, 11:19 pm Kestutis and his colleagues were truly helpful and easy to reach via email or phone. Very thankful for their assistance! 0 0 Reply
• Royal k. February 29, 2020, 1:07 am I had a very good experience with travel visa pro. Good customer services, quick respond to email and phone call and staff are very easy going and professional. I will definitely do business with them and refer them to any want who need help. 0 0 Reply
• Sandy S. February 25, 2020, 3:29 am After hours and hours of trying to apply for an E-Visa to India — with no results — we were ready to give up and cancel our trip. Then we found Travel Visa Pro and actually spoke with a human being. Our questions were answered and we began the process of having TVP do the work for us. What a great team them have! We should have our visas within the next 10 days. No more hassles. Thanks Travel Visa Pro. 0 0 Reply
• marc l. February 20, 2020, 12:56 am I Needed visa in a hurry. Worked out perfect with help from these guys. Definitely use them again!! 0 0 Reply
• gurpreet t. January 25, 2020, 6:13 am Very fast service good customer service 0 0 Reply
• Mauric C. August 3, 2019, 1:19 pm So happy to work with Ulises here, had two weeks before my trip to Italy and he made it happen with no stress! Thanks man you rock. 0 0 Reply
• Patty C. July 13, 2019, 9:45 am Jeremy and Zach are super helpful and accommodating. They were able to put together a fun weekend for my group. I would recommend them to a friend. 0 0 Reply
• Joe G. April 23, 2019, 1:03 am Excellent service! 0 0 Reply
• Arianna April 18, 2018, 4:32 am I would like to recommend Bernice as an excellent consultant. I am a frequent traveler and I have never had any issues. I’m usually very last minute with my travel plans and travel visa pro has never let me down. Very reliable and outstanding service. Bernice always goes the extra mile to make sure everything goes smoothly and has helped/advised me many times. She is my go to girl!! I have been going here for the past 6 years and always come back! She just makes everything so much easier:) Tha nk you Bernice!! … – show 0 0 Reply
• Company's official reply December 22, 2019, 8:47 pm I apologize for your experience. Totally, I agree we should not be familiar with our customer. Instead, we should act professionally. We've address the issue since your incident and the employee in question is no longer with the firm. Thank you for helping us to improve. Our goal is to be friendliest Passport and Visa expediter in the country. 0 0 Reply
• Paul M. January 31, 2018, 5:59 am Berenice can help you in English or Spanish. She helped me last year to get my China M Visa issued, and am coming to her soon again. Thx! 0 0 Reply
• Eric N. November 1, 2017, 4:21 pm This service is great. I have used them for four trips now and they get things done quickly when needed. And they keep you informed about what's going on. Very happy with their service. 0 0 Reply
• 77janz October 31, 2017, 2:50 am Best customer service by Travel Visa Pro. Every emailed inquiry was answered almost immediately. I was pressed for time so opted for the 15-day expedited service. I received my VISA as promised. This company is great and I highly recommend them. 0 0 Reply
• Joe September 26, 2017, 1:09 am Very prompt, friendly and efficient service. Absolutely recommend. 0 0 Reply
• Alexander M. August 17, 2017, 1:04 am Bernice provided exceptional service. She was very professional and compassionate about my needs. She was also very generous and prompt in handling my grandmother's visa. She went above and beyond to ensure that the visa was perfect and that it would have no problems with foreign government agencies. I would recommend Bernice to anyone! Her service is the best in LA. 0 0 Reply
• Nadya D. June 21, 2017, 10:22 pm very friendly staff and generous workers 0 0 Reply
• George C. April 29, 2017, 1:45 am Bernice was very punctual, professional and cordial when helping me with my China visa. She patiently and kindly answered all of my questions and provided prompt and smooth service for a very reasonable fee. Highly recommended. 0 0 Reply
• Lucy W. February 23, 2017, 12:21 am Very friendly and efficient! 0 0 Reply
• Owen W. January 12, 2017, 7:45 pm I went to them for my Brazil travel visa. Seeing as there's no way I had time to stand in line myself at the Brazilian embassy during work hours, Travel Visa Pro was the way to go. I did some comparing online and they are the cheapest out there. Most other companies charge $80 or more for their service fee but Travel Visa Pro's charge is $49! Going to Travel Visa Pro's office to drop off and pick up requires spending some time circling to find street parking, but it was worth it as they were op en on Saturday for dropoff and I saved on the shipping fees (and I'd rather not risk my passport getting lost in the mail when I'm leaving the country soon). Their service was prompt and efficient and they returned my passport to me with a clear protective cover, which was a nice bonus touch. Great experience and would definitely use them again! … – show 0 0 Reply
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Travel Visa Pro

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Does anyone know if there’s a way to get a passport within 7 business days or less same day if possible ????? See more …

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As a foreign resident, what is my status in your country?

Millions of foreigners travel to the U.S. every year. In most cases, to enter the United States you must obtain a visa. As a visa holder, you will have full access to most basic rights with the exception of the right to vote in elections, hold public office and other things of that nature. However, the U.S. visa policy does permit citizens from certain countries to enter without a visa. To find out more information on whether you are required to have a visa for entry, please visit the website listed below or contact Crown Los Angeles. ↑ Top

What kinds of visas are available?

There are numerous visas available. There are visas for visitors and visas for immigrants. Please review the lists below for the types of visas available in both categories. It is strongly recommended you contact an immigration attorney and/or the Immigration and Naturalization Service for further details. You may also contact Crown Los Angeles or visit the Web sites listed below to find out more information.

Visa Types for Visitors:

Tourist/visitor

Border Crossing Card - Mexican Travellers

Exchange Visitors

Temporary Workers Overview

Media and Journalists

Visa Renewals

Mexican and Canadian NAFTA Professional Worker

Visa Types for Immigrants:

Immediate relatives

Special Immigrants

Family sponsored

Employer sponsored

What is required to obtain these visas?

The United States has updated its visa policies to increase security. These days it takes much longer to get a visa than previously and stringent security measures are in place. It is recommended that you contact your nearest consulate or embassy or an Immigration Attorney to find out specific details for your country. This is a very detailed process and you will want to be very sure that it is done correctly and legally so that no problems occur at a later time. If you need further assistance please contact Crown Los Angeles. ↑ Top

Are spouses permitted and/or likely to find work?

Typically, a partner is not entitled to work, but there are some instances where the spouse is allowed to apply for a work permit. For further information, contact your attorney or Crown Los Angeles or further advice. ↑ Top

What are the main forms of identification and how does a newcomer obtain them?

Upon arrival, you should apply for your Social Security card , which is obtained at your local Social Security office. Your Social Security number is used to keep a record of your earnings. It is also recommended that you apply for a picture ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles (either a driver's license or simple ID). And, of course you will be traveling with your passport, which is a valid picture identification. ↑ Top

Are there any other important permits I must obtain, or places where I must register right away?

If you plan on working, the most important thing to apply for after you get settled in is a Social Security card. For further information contact your local consulate or embassy. ↑ Top

What items should I avoid bringing into the country?

Please contact Crown Los Angeles for complete assistance and ease of importing effects. Items that are prohibited to come into the country include lottery tickets, narcotics and illegal drugs, obscene articles and publications, seditious and treasonable materials, pirated copies of articles, endangered animals and items made from them, unprocessed plant or livestock products, firearms unless permitted, hazardous articles (fireworks and the like), products made by forced labor, and switchblade knives.

Also, alcohol and motor vehicles have specific restrictions. One liter of an alcoholic beverage may be brought in free of duty and Internal Revenue Tax for personal use. Quantities above the one liter limitation are subject to duty and internal revenue tax. Imported motor vehicles are subject to lengthy standards ranging from safety, bumper, to air pollution control standards. Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S. are generally dutiable. ↑ Top

Is there anything else I should know about entering and remaining in the country legally?

As long as your visa is valid and you stay in good standing, your stay should not be questioned. Please contact Crown Los Angeles if you have any questions. ↑ Top

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.

USA ESTA | UNITED STATES

COVID infos As of May 12, 2023, it is no longer necessary to be vaccinated against COVID 19 to travel to the USA.

Visa to travel to Los Angeles or stopover in Los Angeles

Foreigners traveling to Los Angeles must have a U.S. validated administrative travel authorization in order to land in Los Angeles. There are several types of administrative travel authorization for the USA

Do I need a visa for Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is a city located in the United States. All foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States through Los Angeles must have a valid travel authorization. Depending on the reason for your stay in Los Angeles, you can apply for a visa for Los Angeles.

For a stay of less than 90 days : It is not necessary to obtain a visa for Los Angeles, simply apply for a travel authorization by clicking on the online form .

Do I need a visa to make a stopover in Los Angeles?

There are two types of travel authorization for stopovers in Los Angeles :

• First of all, you can apply for a transit visa for a stopover in Los Angeles;
• The second option is much faster. You can apply for ESTA. The ESTA transit authorization allows you to make a stopover in Los Angeles without a visa.

How much does a visa to Los Angeles cost?

The price of a visa to Los Angeles will depend on the type of visa chosen by the traveler. For a USA visa application, the fees are $160 US . If you choose to apply for ESTA then the cost of an ESTA will be $21 US.

How to get a visa for Los Angeles?

A visa application for Los Angeles can be made directly on the Internet. The whole process is done online on the Internet. At the end of the procedure, you must obtain a visa appointment at the American embassy to finalize the visa process.

The other solution is to apply for an ESTA to travel to Los Angeles. In this case, the entire process takes place on the Internet. The deadlines for an ESTA are very fast: The ESTA authorization is obtained in a few minutes at the earliest and 72 hours at the latest .

What is a tourist visa for Los Angeles?

You can obtain a tourist visa for Los Angeles. The Los Angeles tourist visa allows foreigners to enter the United States through Los Angeles for tourism or to visit family there. The process is the same as for obtaining a New York visa or a Chicago visa .

Do I need an ESTA visa for Los Angeles?

A foreign traveler can apply for an ESTA visa for Los Angeles. Obtaining an ESTA is much faster than applying for a tourist visa for Los Angeles. The ESTA authorization for L.A. is valid for 2 years for stays of up to 90 days in the United States.

Which visa for Los Angeles from the UK?

There are many US visas available to cover all reasons for travel to the US. All visas are possible for L.A. From the UK, several types of visas for Los Angeles are possible. The main visas used to go to Los Angeles from the UK are :

• Business visa for Los Angeles
• Tourist visa for Los Angeles
• Student visa for Los Angeles
• The work visa for Los Angeles

Image of the visa for Los Angeles in the USA

Here is a picture of a Los Angeles visa. This is a visa that allows you to enter the United States through the city of Los Angeles.

usa-esta.net is an information website about ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) available in several languages and independent from any administration. Our private information portal on the Internet has the sole purpose of informing Internet users and does not offer any additional services.

Our website contains various hyperlinks to third-party websites. We have no connection to or control over these sites, and are not responsible for their privacy policies or their business or marketing practices. For more information, please see our privacy policy.

Still haven’t filed your taxes? How to avoid penalties or lost refunds

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After the epic storms deluged California in early 2023, the IRS and the state Franchise Tax Board gave most taxpayers in the state until mid-November to file their returns and pay what they owed.

After the epic storms deluged California in early 2024, the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board gave taxpayers in San Diego County until mid-June to file their returns and pay what they owe. For everyone else in the state, Monday remains the filing deadline — at least at the moment.

If you don’t pay at least a goodly chunk of your 2023 taxes by then, you will be penalized automatically, even if you file for an extension by Monday night.

Tax experts say the best course of action is to file your return on time and pay everything you think you owe. The IRS, nonprofit groups and commercial tax-preparation companies offer multiple ways to prepare and file returns for free online .

If you can’t afford your tax bill, you have some choices to make by Monday at 11:59 p.m., when the deadline is due to arrive.

There is a chance President Biden will approve Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration covering Los Angeles, Ventura, Butte, Glenn, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Sutter counties by the end of the day Monday, which could trigger a delay in the tax-filing deadlines. Counting on a last-minute reprieve, however, is a gamble with potentially high stakes, depending on how much you owe in taxes for 2023.

The IRS wants to give California taxpayers $94 million in refunds — if they file returns

Californians have left millions of dollars in unclaimed tax refunds from 2020 with the Internal Revenue Service. And if they don’t act soon, they’ll donate that money to the federal government.

March 29, 2024

What are the penalties for not filing?

Tax experts say that if the IRS owes you a refund, you won’t face a penalty for not filing your return. Instead, you’ll have a different deadline: If you wait more than three years to file a return for that year, you’ll sacrifice your claim to the money.

If you have taxes due, Andy Phillips , director of H&R Block’s Tax Institute, said it’s important to file your return or file for an extension on time, even if you can’t cover the balance at the moment. That’s because the penalty for not filing can be up to 10 times the penalty for filing but not paying on time.

The IRS will charge you 5% of what you owe every month until you file, with the penalty capped at 25%, Phillips said. But it also charges interest, and there’s no cap on how much interest you’ll owe. Currently, the interest rate is 8%, compounded daily.

The Franchise Tax Board’s penalty is 5% per month, capped at 25%; the state’s tax code makes no mention of interest charges. It also imposes a lower penalty on people who owe no more than $540.

Both the feds and the state offer hardship exceptions.

IRS gives taxpayers in disaster-stricken San Diego County two extra months to file returns

The IRS is again giving taxpayers in disaster-stricken San Diego County more time to file their returns and pay what they owe this year.

Feb. 27, 2024

Need more time to gather your paperwork? Both the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board offer six-month extensions on the deadline for filing an annual return to anyone who applies.

There is a catch, though: Even with an extension, you’ll still face an underpayment penalty if you don’t pay at least 90% of what you owe by the end of the day Monday, Phillips said. But at least you won’t be hit with the added penalty for not filing.

What are the penalties for not paying?

For the record:

3:59 p.m. April 12, 2024 An earlier version of this story said the IRS penalty for unpaid taxes was 5% of the unpaid balance plus 0.5% per month, up to a maximum of 25%, plus interest. That is the Franchise Tax Board’s penalty. The IRS charges 0.5% per month, up to a maximum of 25%, plus interest.

The IRS charges .5% of the original underpayment per month the balance is not paid, capped at 25%, plus interest. The Franchise Tax Board charges 5% of the underpayment plus .5% per month, capped at 25%, with interest, which is currently 8% .

Phillips said the IRS applies a penalty only if you paid less than 90% of what you owed by the deadline. If you are facing a penalty, he said, you need to consider how that amount (including interest) stacks up against the cost of taking out a loan, using your credit cards or pulling cash out of savings or profitable investments.

One option is to enter a payment plan with the IRS, which will cut the underpayment penalty in half, Phillips said — although you’ll still be paying interest on the amount you owe while you’re chipping away at your balance. As long as you’re compliant with the plan, he said, the IRS won’t go into forced-collection mode.

New IRS Direct File program now available in California

The online system, aimed at low- and moderate-income taxpayers, offers more help than the IRS’ Free File program. It has launched in California and 11 other states in a trial run.

March 6, 2024

You can apply for a payment plan with the IRS through the agency’s website.

The Franchise Tax Board also offers installment plans that allow you to pay your tax debt over time, typically three to five years. The plans are available only to taxpayers who owe less than $25,000 and who’ve filed all required returns in the previous five years. Applications are accepted online , by mail or by calling (800) 689-4776.

The state offers to cancel a late-payment or late-filing penalty for taxpayers who are otherwise in compliance, but a taxpayer can claim this relief only once in their lifetime. In addition, the offer applies only to penalties for tax years 2022 or later.

To apply for a one-time abatement , return a completed form FTB 2918 by mail or call 800-689-4776 and request one.

How does the IRS collect penalties?

Regardless of whether you file a return, the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board will have collected data from employers, banks, mutual funds and other sources about your income and tax payments. And they will use that information to calculate what they believe you owe (or what they owe you). They won’t refund your overpayment automatically — you’ll get that only if you file a return — but they can force you to pay the taxes you’ve underpaid.

Phillips said the IRS typically starts by sending a letter asking you to pay up. If you don’t, it can seize a portion of your wages, your Social Security benefits and your investments. As a last resort, he said, it can put a lien on your house and force its sale.

To avoid going into collection, Phillips said, you might offer to pay a compromise amount — for example, if you can show that you weren’t responsible for the underpayment. The feds accept only a small percentage of the applications for this kind of relief, he said; it’s more likely that the agency will put you into a payment plan or temporarily suspend collection efforts until your income grows. If you find yourself in the latter category, you will face ever-growing interest charges on your unpaid tax debt.

Consumer advocates warn taxpayers to be cautious about hiring anyone who promises to be able to slash your tax debt, because many of those pitches are from scammers. Phillips agreed, saying, “Make sure you do your homework about who you’re dealing with.”

Low-income workers can get huge tax refunds. This event helps them get the money

At free tax sites across Los Angeles, volunteer tax preparers help low-income workers file their taxes and access the earned income tax credit.

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Who has to file a return?

The feds require anyone who earns more than a certain amount set by the IRS to file a return, even if they don’t owe anything. The amount varies according to filing status and age; for example, for 2023 it was $13,850 for a single filer under 65, or $15,700 for a single filer 65 or older.

The requirement applies regardless of your citizenship status. But if you don’t have a Social Security number — for example, if you’re in the United States on a temporary work visa or you’re here without authorization — you’ll need to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number .

Mandy Irvine, associate director of economic mobility for United Ways of California, said it’s a misconception that an ITIN is a sign that you’re in the country without authorization — ITINs are used by anyone who doesn’t qualify for a Social Security number. In addition, the law bars the IRS from sharing the information it collects from tax returns with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Through myfreetaxes.org , the United Way connects people with IRS-certified volunteers to help them prepare and file their returns. If you need an ITIN, Irvine said, look for a volunteer site that has a certified acceptance agent who can check your passport or other documents to verify your identity. That way, she said, you won’t have to mail them to the IRS.

Where can I get last-minute help from the IRS?

The following Federal Taxpayer Assistance Centers will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• 300 N. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
• 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802
• 880 Front St., Suite 1247, San Diego, CA 92101
• 212 Coffee Road Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93309
• 2525 Capitol St., Fresno, CA 93721
• 1301 Clay St., Oakland, CA 94612
• 450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
• 55 S. Market St., Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95113
• 4330 Watt Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821

The agency stressed that although IRS employees will be on hand to offer in-person help with questions and account issues, they will not prepare your taxes for you. It also suggested that you come equipped with two forms of identification (including a current government-issued photo ID), the Social Security or Taxpayer Identification numbers for everyone in your household, and any notices or mailings the IRS has sent you.

If you have a question about a tax return you’ve already filed, make sure to bring a copy with you.

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Jon Healey writes and edits stories for the Los Angeles Times’ Fast Break Desk, the team that dives into the biggest news of the moment. In his previous stints, he wrote and edited for the Utility Journalism team and The Times editorial board. He covered technology news for The Times from 2000 to mid-2005.

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