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→TT-2008-01: SEVEN WAYS TO GET A JUMP START ON YOUR TAXES
# Gather your records in advance. Make sure you have all the records you need, including W-2s and 1099s. Don’t forget to save a copy for your files.
# Gather your records in advance. Make sure you have all the records you need, including W-2s and 1099s. Don’t forget to save a copy for your files.
# Get the right forms. They’re available around the clock on the IRS Web site, [http://irs.gov/ IRS.gov].
# Get the right forms. They’re available around the clock on the IRS Web site, [http://irs.gov/ IRS.gov].
# Take your time. Don’t forget to leave room for a coffee break when filling out your tax return as rushing can mean making a mistake.
# Take your time. Don’t forget to leave room for a [http://www.mywikibiz.com/coffee/ coffee] break when filling out your tax return as rushing can mean making a mistake.
# Double-check your math and verify all Social Security numbers. These are among the most common errors found on tax returns. Taking care will reduce your chance of hearing from the IRS and speed up your refund.
# Double-check your math and verify all Social Security numbers. These are among the most common errors found on tax returns. Taking care will reduce your chance of hearing from the IRS and speed up your refund.
# E-filing is easy. E-filing catches math errors and provides confirmation your return has been received and gives you a faster refund.
# E-filing is easy. E-filing catches math errors and provides confirmation your return has been received and gives you a faster refund.
Are you concerned that your efforts to get ready early may be affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax legislation passed by Congress in December? Most individuals will not be impacted, so it is still a good idea to get an early start on your preparations. Even if you are filing one of five forms affected by the recent legislation, the IRS expects to be ready for your return by February 11. You can review a list of the impacted forms and find out the latest news about when the IRS will be ready for your return at [http://irs.gov/ IRS.gov].
Are you concerned that your efforts to get ready early may be affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax legislation passed by Congress in December? Most individuals will not be impacted, so it is still a good idea to get an early start on your preparations. Even if you are filing one of five forms affected by the recent legislation, the IRS expects to be ready for your return by February 11. You can review a list of the impacted forms and find out the latest news about when the IRS will be ready for your return at [http://irs.gov/ IRS.gov].
== TT-2008-02: SHOULD YOU FILE A TAX RETURN? ==
== TT-2008-02: SHOULD YOU FILE A TAX RETURN? ==
To obtain a copy of Form 4868 or other forms and publications use E-file tax preparation software, download them from IRS.gov or visit your local IRS office. Note that forms and publications can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-Form (800-829-3676). However, telephone requests normally take 10 days to fill and may not arrive before the tax deadline of April 15.
To obtain a copy of Form 4868 or other forms and publications use E-file tax preparation software, download them from IRS.gov or visit your local IRS office. Note that forms and publications can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-Form (800-829-3676). However, telephone requests normally take 10 days to fill and may not arrive before the tax deadline of April 15.
== TT-2008-70: HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE TO RECEIVE YOUR TAX REFUND? ==
Are you expecting a tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service this year? If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued about six to eight weeks after the IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund is issued in about half that time — even faster if you choose direct deposit.
You can check on the status of your refund 72 hours after you e-filed your return or four weeks after mailing your return. There are several ways to check the status of your refund. You will need your Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund to use these applications.
* '''Where's My Refund:''' The fastest, easiest way to find out about your current year refund is to go to the IRS.gov Web site and click on the “Where’s My Refund” link available from the home page.
* '''Refund Hotline:''' Call the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829–1954.
* '''TeleTax: ''' Call the IRS TeleTax System at 800-829-4477.
If you do not get a date for your refund, wait until the next week before calling back.
In some circumstances, you may not receive your refund as quickly as you expected. Refund delays can be caused by a variety of reasons. For example, a name and Social Security number listed on the tax return may not match the IRS records. You may have failed to sign the return or include a necessary attachment, such as Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Or you may have made math errors that require extra time for the IRS to correct.
For more information on how long it may take the IRS to process your federal tax refund, visit Frequently Asked Questions at IRS.gov.
== TT-2008-71: AMENDING YOUR TAX RETURN ==
Oops! You’ve discovered an error after your tax return has been filed or maybe you need to adjust your 2007 return to include certain non-taxable benefits to reach the $3000 qualifying income level to qualify for an economic stimulus payment. What should you do? You may need to amend your return.
(Note: Generally, the payment of economic stimulus payments is based on the information from your original 2007 federal tax return. However, the only item on an amended return that will affect the economic stimulus payment is when including certain non-taxable benefits not included on the original return. This must be the only reason you were not eligible for the economic stimulus payment on the original return.)
The IRS usually corrects math errors or requests missing forms – such as W-2s or schedules – when processing an original return. In these instances, do not amend your return. However, you should file an amended return if any of the following were reported incorrectly:
* Your filing status
* Your dependents
* Your total income
* Your deductions or credits
Use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ or electronically-filed return. Be sure to enter the year of the return you are amending at the top of Form 1040X. If you are amending more than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each return and mail them in separate envelopes to the IRS processing center for the area in which you live. The 1040X instructions list the addresses for the centers.
The Form 1040X has three columns. Column A is used to show original or adjusted figures from the original return. Column C is used to show the corrected figures. The difference between the figures in Columns A and C is shown in Column B. There is an area on the back of the form where you explain the specific changes being made on the return and the reason for each change.
If the changes involve another schedule or form, attach it to the 1040X. For example, if you are filing a 1040X because you have a qualifying child and now want to claim the Earned Income Credit, you must attach a Form 1040 Schedule EIC to show the qualifying person's name, year of birth and Social Security number.
If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund before filing Form 1040X. You may cash that check while waiting for any additional refund. If you owe additional tax for 2007, you should file Form 1040X and pay the tax by the April due date to avoid any penalty and interest.
Generally, you must file Form 1040X within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, to claim a refund.
Form 1040X and instructions are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
== TT-2008-72: WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE AN IRS NOTICE ==
It’s a moment many taxpayers dread. A letter arrives from the IRS — and it’s not a refund check. Don’t panic; many of these letters can be dealt with simply and painlessly.
Each year, the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers to request payment of taxes, notify them of a change to their account or request additional information. The notice you receive normally covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return. Each letter and notice offers specific instructions on what you are asked to do to satisfy the inquiry.
If you receive a correction notice, you should review the correspondence and compare it with the information on your return.
* Agree? If you agree with the correction to your account, usually no reply is necessary unless a payment is due.
* Disagree? If you do not agree with the correction the IRS made, it is important that you respond as requested. Write to explain why you disagree. Include any documents and information you wish the IRS to consider, along with the bottom tear-off portion of the notice. Mail the information to the IRS address shown in the upper left-hand corner of the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response.
Most correspondence can be handled without calling or visiting an IRS office. However, if you have questions, call the telephone number in the upper right-hand corner of the notice. Have a copy of your tax return and the correspondence available when you call to help us respond to your inquiry.
Be sure to keep copies of any correspondence with your records.
For more information about IRS notices and bills, see Publication 594, What You Should Know about the IRS Collection Process. Information about penalties and interest charges is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. Both publications are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
== TT-2008-73: APPEAL RIGHTS ==
Are you in the middle of a disagreement with the IRS? If you disagree with the IRS about the amount of your tax liability or about proposed collection actions, you have the right to ask the IRS Appeals Office to review your case.
IRS Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer, explains some of your most important taxpayer rights. During their contact with taxpayers, IRS employees are required to explain and protect these taxpayer rights, including the right to appeal.
The Appeals Office, which is independent of the IRS office that proposed the disputed action, can work with taxpayers by correspondence, telephone, or informal conferences.
Through Appeals procedures, taxpayers can settle most differences without expensive and time-consuming court trials. However, if you and the Appeals Officer or Settlement Officer cannot reach agreement, or if you prefer not to appeal within the IRS, in most cases, you may take your disagreement to federal court.
For more information about Appeals and its processes, go to the IRS Web site at IRS.gov and select the link to “Appeal a Tax Dispute”, which is found at the bottom of the home page. The Appeals Web page provides links to assist you in determining if you are ready for Appeals, how to request an appeal, and what you can expect from Appeals.
This page also provides a link to easy-to-use online self-help tools to help you focus on your area of dispute and determine if you will benefit from filing an appeal. You can also link to “Online Videos of the Appeals Process” containing informative online video streams entitled “The Appeals Process (Examination)” and “The Appeals Process (Collection).”
Information is also available in IRS Publication 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest If You Don't Agree; Publication 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund; and Publication 1660, Collection Appeal Rights (for Liens, Levies, and Seizures). To get copies of IRS publications, visit the IRS Web site at IRS.gov or call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
== TT-2008-74: HELP FROM THE TAXPAYER ADVOCATE SERVICE ==
If you have tried to resolve tax problems with the IRS and are still having problems or facing economic harm, you have somewhere to turn: seek the free assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS whose employees assist taxpayers in these circumstances or those who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should.
The service is free, confidential, tailored to meet your needs, and available for businesses as well as individuals. You may be eligible for assistance if:
* You are experiencing economic harm or significant cost (including fees for professional representation),
* You have experienced a delay of more than 30 days to resolve your tax issue, or
* You have not received a response or resolution to the problem by the date promised by the IRS.
For individuals, examples of economic harm as a result of an IRS action might include an inability to provide for basic necessities such as housing, transportation or food; or for businesses, an inability to meet payroll expenses.
There is at least one local taxpayer advocate in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Because advocates are part of the IRS, they know the tax system and how to navigate it. If you qualify, you will receive personalized service from a knowledgeable advocate who will:
* Listen to your problem,
* Help you understand what needs to be done to resolve it, and
* <div align="left">Stay with you every step of the way until your problem is resolved.</div>
You can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service by:
* Calling the TAS case intake line at 877-777-4778 (TTY/TTD 800-829-4059),
* Writing or calling your local taxpayer advocate, whose address and phone number are listed in the government listings in your local telephone directory and in Publication 1546, The Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS – How to Get Help With Unresolved Tax Problems,
* Filing Form 911, Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order, with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, or
* Asking an IRS employee to complete Form 911 on your behalf.
To get a copy of Form 911 or to learn more about the Taxpayer Advocate Service, visit the Web site at IRS.gov and select the link for the Taxpayer Advocate. You can download Form 911 and Publication 1546 from the IRS Web site Forms and Publications section, or order a copy by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
== External Links ==
== External Links ==