Topic 255 – Signing Your Return Electronically
When you file your individual tax return electronically, you must electronically sign the tax return using a personal identification number (PIN): either the Self-Select PIN or the Practitioner PIN method.

Self-Select PIN – The self-select PIN (SSP) method requires you to select a five-digit PIN that…[Read more]

Topic 301 – When, How, and Where to File
When to file

If you’re a calendar year filer and your tax year ends on December 31, the due date for filing your federal individual income tax return is generally April 15 of each year. If you use a fiscal year (tax year ending on the last day of any month other than December), your return is due on or…[Read more]

Topic 303 – Checklist of Common Errors When Preparing Your Tax Return
Before filing your return, make sure it’s correct and complete. It’s important that you review your entire return, even if you have someone else prepare it, because any errors may delay the processing of your return.

The following checklist may help you avoid common…[Read more]

Topic 306 – Penalty for Underpayment of Estimated Tax
The United States income tax system is a pay-as-you-go tax system, which means that you must pay income tax as you earn or receive your income during the year. You can do this either through withholding or by making estimated tax payments. If you don’t pay your tax or you pay an insufficient…[Read more]

Topic 304 – Extensions of Time to File Your Tax Return
There are three ways to request an automatic extension of time to file your U.S. individual income tax return. You must request the extension of time to file by the regular due date of your return to avoid the penalty for filing late. An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to…[Read more]

Topic 305 – Recordkeeping
Well-organized records make it easier to prepare a tax return and help provide answers if your return is selected for examination or if you receive an IRS notice.

You must keep records, such as receipts, canceled checks, and other documents that support an item of income, a deduction, or a credit appearing on a return as…[Read more]

Topic 308 – Amended Returns
If you discover an error after filing your return, you may need to amend your return. The IRS may correct mathematical or clerical errors on a return and may accept returns without certain required forms or schedules. In these instances, there’s no need to amend your return. However, do file an amended return if there’s…[Read more]

Topic 308 – Amended Returns
If you discover an error after filing your return, you may need to amend your return. The IRS may correct mathematical or clerical errors on a return and may accept returns without certain required forms or schedules. In these instances, there’s no need to amend your return. However, do file an amended return if there’s…[Read more]

Topic 309 – Roth IRA Contributions
A Roth individual retirement arrangement (Roth IRA) is a tax-favored account or annuity set up in the United States solely for the benefit of you and your beneficiaries. You can contribute to a Roth IRA if you have taxable compensation and your modified adjusted gross income is within certain limitations.…[Read more]

Topic 310 – Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
A Coverdell education savings account (Coverdell ESA) is a trust or custodial account set up in the United States solely for paying qualified education expenses for the designated beneficiary of the account. There are certain requirements to set up a Coverdell ESA:

When you establish the account,…[Read more]

Topic 311 – Power of Attorney Information
You have the right to represent yourself before the IRS. You may also authorize someone to represent you before the IRS in connection with a federal tax matter. If you choose to have someone represent you, your representative must be an individual authorized to practice before the IRS. Submit a power of…[Read more]

Topic 312 – Disclosure Authorizations
You can allow the IRS to discuss your tax return information with a third party by completing the Third Party Designee section of your tax return, often referred to as “Checkbox Authority.” This will allow the IRS to discuss the processing of your current tax return, including the status of tax refunds, with…[Read more]

Topic 313 – Qualified Tuition Programs (QTPs)
A qualified tuition program (QTP), also referred to as a section 529 plan, is a program established and maintained by a state, or an agency or instrumentality of a state, that allows a contributor either to prepay a beneficiary’s qualified higher education expenses at an eligible educational…[Read more]

Topic 352 – Which Form – 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ?
The three forms U.S. citizens and resident aliens use for filing individual federal income tax returns are Form 1040EZ (PDF), Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents, Form 1040A (PDF), U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and Form 1040 (PDF), U.S. Individual Income Tax R…[Read more]

Topic 356 – Decedents
The personal representative of an estate is an executor, administrator, or anyone else in charge of the decedent’s property. The personal representative is responsible for filing any final individual income tax return(s) and the estate tax return of the decedent when due. For more information on personal representative…[Read more]

Topic 356 – Decedents
The personal representative of an estate is an executor, administrator, or anyone else in charge of the decedent’s property. The personal representative is responsible for filing any final individual income tax return(s) and the estate tax return of the decedent when due. For more information on personal representative…[Read more]

Topic 401 – Wages and Salaries
All wages, salaries, and tips you received for performing services as an employee of an employer must be included in your gross income. Amounts withheld for taxes, including but not limited to income tax, social security and Medicare taxes, are considered “received” and must be included in gross income in the year…[Read more]

Topic 403 – Interest Received
Most interest that you either receive or is credited to an account that you can withdraw without penalty is taxable income in the year it becomes available to you. However, some interest you receive may be tax-exempt. You should receive Copy B of Form 1099-INT (PDF) or Form 1099-OID (PDF), generally with respect to…[Read more]

Topic 404 – Dividends
Dividends are distributions of property a corporation may pay you if you own stock in that corporation. Corporations pay most dividends in cash. However, they may also pay them as stock of another corporation or as any other property. You also may receive distributions through your interest in a partnership, an estate, a…[Read more]

Topic 404 – Dividends
Dividends are distributions of property a corporation may pay you if you own stock in that corporation. Corporations pay most dividends in cash. However, they may also pay them as stock of another corporation or as any other property. You also may receive distributions through your interest in a partnership, an estate, a…[Read more]