No one likes it when the IRS reaches out to them. The agency is like that one neighbor you never liked as a kid who never got the hint and just kept coming over. Chances are, he’s gonna call today too. The IRS sends millions of letters each year to taxpayers who, quite frankly, don’t…
The IRS begins accepting tax returns in mid to late January each year. But if you don’t have all of your tax documents by then, don’t stress out. Federal law gives employers, as well as other companies preparing tax documents (such as banks, educational institutions, etc.), until January 31 to distribute/postmark all forms. If they are sent by mail, then, you may not receive your documents until early February. If you want to get a…
As the tax-filing season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving their refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. Some tax returns may require additional review and those refunds may take longer. Many factors affect refund timingJust as each tax return is unique and…
It’s that time of year when taxpayers are thinking about how they want to give back, and many taxpayers will want to donate to a charity that means something to them. The IRS has a tool that may help them make sure their donations are as beneficial as possible. Tax Exempt Organization Search on IRS.gov is…
Taxpayers with individual taxpayer identification numbers should find out if their number expires this year. If it does, they should renew it now to avoid delays with their refund when they file their taxes next year. An ITIN is a tax ID number used by taxpayers who don’t qualify for a Social Security number. Here’s what these taxpayers…
Your notice or letter will explain the reason for the contact and give you instructions on how to handle the issue. If, when you search for your notice or letter using the Search on the irs.gov page, if it doesn’t return a result, or you believe the notice or letter looks suspicious, contact the IRS…
If you are a divorced or separated parent with children, a commonly encountered but often misunderstood issue is who claims the child or children for tax purposes. This is sometimes a hotly disputed issue between parents; however, tax law includes some very specific but complicated rules about who profits from the child-related tax benefits. At…
With the tax filing season quickly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service recommends taxpayers take time now to determine if they are eligible for important tax credits. Earned Income Tax Credit The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for working people with low to moderate incomes who meet certain eligibility requirements. Because it’s…
The agency and the tax-collection system it oversees are on the brink of catastrophic collapse. Anyone who deals with the IRS on a regular basis knows that the agency is in trouble: IRS employees are less able than ever to effectively and efficiently handle their work. The internal problems facing the agency were greatly exacerbated…
Adjust withholding The IRS urges everyone to use the Tax Withholding Estimator to perform a paycheck or pension income checkup. This is even more important for those who received a smaller refund than expected or owed an unexpected tax bill last year. It’s also a good idea for anyone who had a key life event,…
