WHY RICH FOLKS FILE LATE In ''Why taxpayers file late'' (Economic Trends, Apr. 20) you suggest that higher-income taxpayers owed a refund file at the last minute because of psychological reasons. I believe you have overlooked the fact that those with higher incomes typically have more complex returns and are more dependent upon third parties for information, especially K-1s. Even upon receipt of all outside K-1s and 1099s, the complexity of a return for a higher-income individual is such that an inordinate amount of time is required to collate this information for a professional tax preparer. Further, the preparer takes longer to process the return once all information is received. As a result, even though a refund is desired in a timely manner, complex returns by their very nature are likely to be filed at the last minute. Jeff Day Hillsborough, Calif.

Updated May 7, 1998 by bwwebmaster
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