No. Taxpayers do not need to file differently. While people who claim the EITC or ACTC may have their refund delayed, the IRS still expects to issue refunds within 21 days of filing for most taxpayers. Therefore, even if impacted by the PATH Act, taxpayers should file as normal when they have received all their tax documents.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act is a tax law passed in 2015 that has a provision requiring the IRS to hold many taxpayers’ refunds until February 15th in order to verify their information and prevent fraud. This will impact returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).…[Read more]

1. W-2: This form shows how much income you made and how much you paid in taxes while working for your employer during the tax year.
2. 1099: You will receive a 1099-Misc if you were not paid as an employee, but worked as an independent contractor or did work on the side and made more than $600. A 1099-INT form shows interest earned from your…

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The first income tax in the U.S. was authorized by Congress in 1861 and levied the following year, to help pay for the Civil War, according to the Civil War Trust, but taxes have been around nearly as long as civilization itself. Historians have found tax records that go back to 6,000 B.C. in what is now Iraq, and the ancient Greek, Egyptian and…[Read more]

The answer this year might be “longer than usual.” To combat tax fraud, the IRS is taking extra time checking filers’ tax information if they claimed either the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. Under a new law, the agency is holding back all refunds claiming those credits until at least Feb. 15, and people aren’t likel…[Read more]

The IRS says you should hang onto your tax documents for three years; if you get audited, that’s generally the look back period they’re allowed to cover. However, if they suspect fraud or underpayment of income tax, or if you’ve written off worthless securities, they can request up to seven years’ worth of tax records. Hang onto documents like re…[Read more]

There are various thresholds, depending on your filing status, age, and the type of income you receive. For instance, if you’re single, under 65 and your income was below $10,350 last year, you generally don’t need to file federal taxes. This IRS tool can help you figure out if you need to file a tax return.
Even if appears you don’t have to fil…[Read more]

If you procrastinated and April 18 is looking like a long shot, experts say you should file for an extension. This doesn’t get you out of paying any taxes you owe by the deadline, but it gives you an extra six months to file. An extension will keep you from getting hit with a late-filing penalty of 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part o…[Read more]

This IRS page has links to online forms you can print as well as a locator tool where you can find an office if you prefer to pick up forms in person or don’t have access to a printer. You might also find tax forms at your local library or post office.
If you make less than $64,000, the IRS has a page where you can file your taxes e…[Read more]

The IRS has many security measures in place to verify the accuracy of tax returns and the validity of social security numbers (SSNs) or individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) submitted.

If you receive a notice from the IRS that leads you to believe someone may have used your SSN (or ITIN) fraudulently, please notify the IRS…[Read more]