1.
If you find yourself
working on your tax return over the weekend, there's no need to wait to get a
form or an answer to a question – visit the IRS website anytime. The website is
accessible all day, every day.
2.
Use Free File: Let Free File do the hard work for you with
brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. It's exclusively at
http://www.irs.gov. Everyone can find an option to prepare their tax return
and e-file it for free. If you made $58,000 or less, you qualify for free tax
software that is offered through a private-public partnership with
manufacturers. If you made more or are comfortable preparing your own tax
return, there's Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper
forms. Visit
http://www.irs.gov/freefile to review your options.
3.
Try IRS e-file: After 21 years, IRS e-file has become the safe,
easy and most common way to file a tax return. Last year, 70 percent of
taxpayers - 99 million people - used IRS e-file. Starting in 2011, many tax
preparers will be required to use e-file and will explain your filing options to
you. This is your chance to give it a try. IRS e-file is approaching 1 billion
returns processed safely and securely. If you owe taxes, you have payment
options to file immediately and pay by the tax deadline. Best of all, combine
e-file with direct deposit and you get your refund in as few as 10 days. More
information about e-file is available at
http://www.irs.gov.
4.
Check the status of your tax refund.
Whether you chose direct deposit or asked the IRS to mail you a check, you can
check the status of your refund through
Where's My
Refund?
5.
Find out how to make payments electronically.
You can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal, use a credit or debit card, or
enroll in the U.S. Treasury's Electronic Federal Tax Payment System to pay your
federal taxes. Electronic payment options are a convenient, safe and secure way
to pay taxes.
6.
Find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. EITC is a tax credit for many people who earned
less than $49,000. Find out if you are eligible by answering some questions and
providing basic income information using the
EITC
Assistant.
7.
Get tax forms and publications. You can view and download
tax forms and publications any hour of the day or night.
8.
Calculate the right amount of withholding on your W-4.
The IRS
Withholding Calculator will help you ensure that you don't have too
much or too little income tax withheld from your pay.
9.
Request a payment agreement.
Paying your taxes in full and on time avoids unnecessary penalties and interest.
However, if you cannot pay your balance in full you may be eligible to use the
Online Payment Agreement Application to request an installment agreement.
10.
Get information about the latest tax law changes.
Learn about tax law changes that may affect your tax return. Special sections of
the website highlight changes that affect individual or business taxpayers.
Remember the address of the official IRS website is
http://www.irs.gov. Don't be confused by Internet sites that end in .com,
.net, .org or other designations instead of .gov.
Links:
-
1040 Central
- IRS E-file
- Where's My Refund?
- EITC Overview
- Publication 78, Search for Exempt Organizations
-
Withholding Calculator
