Warning: Your income tax processing may be delayed

I was going to ask the curiousity question of who among us has done their taxes already but then I stumbled upon the news found here: (From MSN Money web site) Sorry, your tax refund has been delayed which notes that many individuals, especially early bird filers, may find their income tax filings are significantly delayed thanks to Congressional inaction in 2006.

It seems that Congress took a long period of time (virtually the entire calendar year in 2006) to extend some popular tax breaks, including state sales tax, educator expenses, or tuition and fees deductions.  Having any of those three deductions could leave you waiting for processing because the forms weren't finalized in time, and/or preliminary instructions weren't complete.

Reportedly filers that use tax-prep software like Turbo Tax or Tax-Cut have an advantage, and e-filing should also help, but there's still no guarantee that the inaction by the lamers in Congress and the handling of things by the IRS might not screw things up and have your tax refund delayed by some period of time.

Personally, I did my families taxes this weekend, hit the e-file buttons and have things on the way now, but after reading this article I'm left wondering if things will go smoothly for me or not.  (I hope yes, but am pessimistic enough to worry that won't be the case).   A good friend was left delayed for at least a few days because some form which he needed wasn't ready yet and wouldn't be until at least this coming Tuesday or Wednesday if all went well.

Thankfully my families taxes are fairly simple, with standard deductions -- except for the Tuition and Education deduction -- so chances of problems should be slight, but as always between the Congress and the IRS there's always a chance at things going in unexpected directions.

Meanwhile, if you have filed already feel free to gloat about it below.  I'm guessing (as usual) that those that know they owe this year won't be in any hurry