The April 18 deadline to file your federal tax return is less than two
weeks away. Don’t wait until the last minute. If you haven’t filed yet, the IRS
has these 10 tax-time tips to help you.
1. Gather your records. Make sure you have all your tax
records. This includes receipts,
canceled checks and other records that support income, deductions or tax
credits that you claim. If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, you will need the information in Form 1095-A to file.
2. Report all your income. You will need to report
your incomefrom all of your
Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Forms 1099 and any other income – even if
you don’t receive a statement – when you file your tax return.
3. Try IRS Free File. Free
File is available only on
IRS.gov. If you made $62,000 or less, you can use free name-brand tax software
to file your federal tax return. If you earned more, you can use Free File
Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms. If you need more time
to file, you can also use IRS Free File to get an automatic six-month extension
to file your taxes. Remember, an extension to file your tax return is not an
extension to pay taxes you owe, which are due April 18.
4. Try IRS e-file. Electronic
filing is the best way to file
a tax return. It’s accurate, safe and easy. If you owe taxes, you have the
option to e-file early and pay by April 18 to avoid penalties and interest.
5. Use Direct Deposit. The fastest and safest way to
get your refund is to combine e-file with direct
deposit. The IRS issues more than
nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
6. Visit IRS.gov. IRS.gov is a great place to get what you
need to file your tax return. Click on the "Filing" icon for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions
and IRS forms and publications. Get them all at any time. The IRS
Services Guide outlines the
many ways to get help on IRS.gov.
7. Use IRS online tools. The IRS has many
online tools on IRS.gov
to help you file. For instance, the Interactive
Tax Assistant toolprovides answers
to many of your tax questions. The tool gives the same answers that an IRS
representative would give over the phone. If you want to find a tax preparer
with the qualifications and credentials that you prefer, use the IRS
Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. IRS tools are free and easy to use. They are also available 24/7.
8. Weigh your filing options. You have different options
for filing your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or go to a tax
preparer. You may be eligible for free help at a Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly site.
9. Check out number 17. IRS Publication
17, Your Federal Income Tax, is a complete tax resource
that you can read on IRS.gov. It’s also available as an eBook. It can help you with many tax questions, such as whether you need to file
a tax return, or how to choose your filing status.
10. Review your return. Mistakes slow down your tax refund. If you file a paper return, be sure to
check all Social Security numbers. That’s one of the most common errors.
Remember that IRS e-file is the most accurate way to file.
Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be
aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer
Bill of Rights. Explore your
rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.
Additional IRS
Resources:
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