Clanton Post Office was busier than normal Monday as residents rushed to beat the deadline to file federal and state income taxes.

Long lines were common throughout the day at the post office, but the rush continued even after the post office closed at 4 p.m.

Debbie Bass of Bass Tax Services, located off County Road 9 in Clanton, said people sometimes use every available minute of the tax deadline, submitting their returns online just prior to midnight.

Bass said she had appointments scheduled as late as 8 p.m. Monday and would not be surprised if she received more calls from folks wanting to get in before the deadline.

“I’ll go until whenever I need to,” Bass said. “You can’t just turn people down. You’re there to help.”

Bass said she handled about 200 returns this year, almost double last year’s number.

Bass said many people do not know they can apply for an extension, and if approved, have until Oct. 15 to file their taxes.

About 10 extensions were requested out of all Bass’ clients, she said.

The most common reason for needing an extension is not being able to compile all the necessary paperwork before the deadline, Bass said.

But not all last-minute filers necessarily needed the time.

Joe Teel of Teel Agency in Clanton, said he waited until the deadline to file because he owed the Internal Revenue Service a significant payment and did not want to part with the money until he had to.

“I’m just holding my money as long as I can,” Teel said.

Teel said he files individual and corporate taxes and thinks the system would be simpler under a flat tax, as has been argued by some in the political arena.

Though the current system is complicated, Teel said his part is straightforward: “Pay, pay, pay,” he said.