How to Check Your Tax Refund Status Online?

Knowing that a tax refund is due after filing their tax returns, many people become happy. In case you have a refund due, then you can check your tax refund status online and here’s how.

Few things regarding tax refunds, I feel, are worth knowing before you proceed towards checking your online status. You should first be aware of the nature of your tax refund and possible internet scams.

If there is a good amount of refund due for you, then it’s better to give a good thought on how … Read the rest

How to Check Your Tax Refund Status Online?

Knowing that a tax refund is due after filing their tax returns, many people become happy. In case you have a refund due, then you can check your tax refund status online and here’s how.

If there is a good amount of refund due for you, then it’s better to give a good thought on how much you are paying for your quarterly taxes and what is the sum of money getting deducted from your paychecks. Tax refund might sound good, but actually it’s not so. Overpaying your taxes means only that the government is acquiring a free loan from you. For the extra tax payments, you are not going to be paid any interest by the IRS; so it’s useless and you should modify your tax payments.

The next thing to be kept in mind is that you have to visit the IRS web site in order to check your tax refund online status. Because of multitude of phishing scams focusing on tax-related issues, people get numerous fake emails dealing with different aspects of tax refunds. All these emails basically are scams and spams! One thing you should remember is that IRS never sends emails to people notifying about a refund due. To check your refund status, just go nowhere else but the IRS web site. Beware of the fraudulent activities centered around tax issues and don’t spoil the possibility of a tax refund.

To know your tax refund status, find out the IRS web site on the internet and visit that site. Then look for the link Where Is My Refund by inspecting the home page. You only need to follow certain simple steps and a couple of mouse clicks and that’s it; your status is in front of you. For your information, keep your tax return copy handy.

Then you will get some responses from the IRS software. Summarizing, you will see some messages such as the tax return filed, but not processed; tax refund was mailed or sent to your account (date mentioned); or because of some problem, IRS could not deliver refund. In case there is some delay in refund due to some tax return filing issues, IRS will notify you regarding that too.

Again, if there is a sizeable refund for you, then you may like to fine-tune your tax payments. There is really no logic for giving a free loan to the government throughout the year. A good sum of money has already been taken by them.

Fast Tax Refund? Find out How (2008taxes.org)
Tax Refund Advance (2009taxes.org)
Tax Refund Advance (2008taxes.org)

IRS Forms to Complete your Return

The IRS has all the tax forms you will need to complete your return and has provided a number of different ways for you to obtain those tax forms. The first stop should by IRS.gov where you can download PDF versions of all forms anytime, any day.

You can also call the IRS and request tax forms at 1-800-829-3676. They offer convenient times for you to call and can also ship to you publications and prior year tax forms if you need them. Don’t wait until the end of the tax season as delivery … Read the rest

IRS Forms to Complete your Return

Just like with the phone orders to the IRS, you can place mail orders to the IRS for tax forms and publications. The wait will be a little longer than the phone orders as mail orders start to be processed when they arrive at the processing center. Mail your forms order to the IRS at 1201 N Mitsubishi Motorway, Bloomington, IL 61705-6613.

You have probably seen the forms outside of libraries during the tax season or at the post office when dropping off your mail. But other local locations like copy centers, grocery stores, and office supply stores might have copies for you or can make copies of tax forms from digital copies that they keep. Plus the IRS has established a number of Tax Assistance Centers across the country. Contact the IRS directly to find out if a center is in your area.

Find Tax Help in Spanish

The IRS is providing many resources this tax season for those that speak Spanish and have had trouble understanding tax information in English in the past. Many of the services provided in English are now available in Spanish.

The best place to start is on the IRS website at IRS.gov/espanol. You can find tax information, avoiding tax scam documents, disaster relief pages, and identity safety helpful tools. Also on the website you will find the IRS federal tax e-File options, available in both Spanish and English.

The IRS has a wealth of video content … Read the rest

Find Tax Help in Spanish

The IRS has a wealth of video content hosted on YouTube will all kinds of tips and helpful courses. There are many videos in Spanish. And if you are more comfortable with the telephone, there is a telephone automated service that provides all kinds of important tax information through pre-recorded instructions. The number is 1-800-829-4477. Talk directly to Spanish speaking IRS tax experts at 1-800-829-1040 x8.

Tax forms are available in Spanish and the federal agency has a newsroom where all releases are available in multiple languages. And finally, don’t be afraid of seeking out IRS Tax Assistance Centers (TAC) because many have bilingual tax assistance in person or through an interpreter on the phone.

Selecting a Good Tax Preparer

Maybe you have completed your tax return at home with one of the available tax preparation packages like TurboTax but you want a tax professional to personally review your return. The IRS wants to make sure you have the information you need to select the best tax preparer and has provided these tips to avoid issues with the quality of your filed return.

Availability. Make sure the preparer will be available for questions even after the return is filed. You want someone to assist you in the case of an IRS audit.

Background Check. Like … Read the rest

Selecting a Good Tax Preparer

Availability. Make sure the preparer will be available for questions even after the return is filed. You want someone to assist you in the case of an IRS audit.

Background Check. Like hiring anyone, background checks are useful. Check the Better Business Bureau, the state’s board of accountancy, or the state’s bar association depending on the perspective preparer’s license.

Check Qualifications. Many preparers are CPAs or Enrolled Agents and need to meet certain criteria to maintain the designation. Check for these and similar affiliations that require continuing education and ethical practices.

Fee Based Services. If the preparation fees are based on the amount of your return, the return could be prepared incorrectly to increase the fee. Avoid preparers that charge for income tax returns in this manner.

Records Request. If your preparer fails to request all the forms needed to complete your return or doesn’t ask the necessary questions to determine your tax situation, you should consider a different tax professional.

Signatures. Always wait until your return is ready to be mailed to sign it. Review all parts of the return before taking this final step. And make sure your preparer also signs the return in the appropriate location.

Use the Tax Form that fits You

Filing your Federal Tax Return requires you to select at least one form, a 1040 form. But there are a number of 1040 forms available depending on the complexity of your return. Here are the criteria to consider when selecting a 1040 form.

The 1040EZ is used when your taxable income is less than $100,000, your are married filing joint or single, you are under the age of 65, not blind, you have no dependents, your income from interest earning accounts produced less that $1,500 during the year, and you do not … Read the rest

Use the Tax Form that fits You

The 1040A can be used when your taxable income is less than $100,000, you do have some capital gains, you do have tax credits, and you plan to claim an IRA deduction, a student load deduction, an education expense, or a higher education expense.

When you cannot use the 1040EZ or the 1040A, you need to file the 1040 (sometimes called the long form). This happens when your income is greater than $100,000, you want to itemize on Schedule A, you have Self-Employment income, and you have capital gains from the sale of a home. The 1040 long form isn’t as impossible to complete as you might think and tax preparation software like TurboTax will use the form if your situation requires it.

Category: tax forms