You're Invited to a Winston-Salem Tax Prep Slumber Party

April 15, the deadline to file state and federal taxes, comes around every year. But still some people procrastinate. So Reed Prevatte has found a way to help them, “Come in in the middle of the night and we'll do your taxes for you.” Prevatte owns four Liberty Tax Services; two in Winston-Salem, one in Clemmons and one in King. Friday at his Jonestown Road office in Winston-Salem, he's hosting an around-the-clock tax prep slumber party. “Some people work third shift and coming in at 5:00 a.m. makes sense to them,” Prevatte explains. “Also this year, record numbers of people have not filed yet. The IRS is showing they are down from what they projected. There are only a few days left to file.” The slumber party begins Friday at 6:00 a.m. and runs until midnight Monday, April 15.

Prevatte has hosted an around-the-clock slumber party at one of his offices since opening his first franchise in 2006. “We are going to be in pajamas, we'll have movies, food and lots of coffee,” says Prevatte. “I'd say this office will get between 10-12 customers a night between midnight and 6 a.m.”

Prevatte's other three locations as well as other Liberty Tax Service offices will extend their hours until midnight Friday, Saturday and Monday. But according to Prevatte, there is one scenario in which people must file by 5 p.m. on April 15. “If they're doing an extension for North Carolina they have to have that mailed,” says Prevatte. “NC does not accept electronic files for extensions. So they have to have it post marked by the 15th and in the mail by 5 p.m. when the post office closes.” Federal extension can be electronically filed.

Next Monday is also the deadline to file 2009 returns if you are owed a federal refund. Prevatte says the IRS estimates nationwide $917 million in 2009 refunds is waiting to be claimed. If the money is not claimed then the federal treasury keeps it.

Also, area U.S. Post offices will close at their normal time on April 15. Some automated centers and contract locations will have extended hours.