By now, most people have already filed their tax return. However, for any number of reasons, some may have filed an extension or couldn’t complete their return by the deadline. Fortunately, there are multiple resources still available to get help from the IRS.
Here are some useful services that are available year-round at IRS.gov:
1. Get 24/7 access. Whether you do your taxes during the day or burn the midnight oil, IRS.gov has the tax forms and answers you need when you need them. It's accessible all day, every day. The Interactive Tax Assistant is a helpful tool that will answer many of your tax law questions. Several tools, tax forms, publications and information are also available in Spanish.
2. Use Free File. You can prepare and e-file your taxes for free with IRS Free File. Offered exclusively at IRS.gov, Free File’s brand-name software or fillable forms do the work for you. If your income is $62,000 or less, you qualify to use free tax software. If your income is more than $62,000 or you feel comfortable preparing your own tax return, use Free File Fillable Forms. This option provides the electronic versions of IRS paper forms and is available through October 15.
3. Try IRS e-file. Whether you do your own taxes or hire a preparer, IRS e-file is the safest, easiest and most popular way to file a complete and accurate tax return. Since 1990, taxpayers have e-filed more than one billion returns. If you owe taxes, e-file gives you options to file early and pay by the tax deadline.
4. Check your refund status. You can track your refund using the Where’s My Refund? tool. It’s quick, easy and secure. You can start checking on the status of your refund within 24 hours after the IRS has received your e-filed return or four weeks after you mailed a paper return. The tool includes a tracker that displays the progress of your return in three stages while it’s processed. Once IRS approves your refund, Where’s My Refund? will give a date to expect your refund.
5. Make payments electronically. Electronic payment options are a convenient, safe and secure way to pay taxes. 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.
6. Use the EITC Assistant. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit for working people with low to moderate income. Check your eligibility using the EITC Assistant tool. You may be among the millions of eligible workers who get the EITC this year.
7. Get tax forms and publications. You can view and download tax forms and publications any time. It’s the easiest way to get IRS forms and publications.
8. Figure the right withholding. The IRS Withholding Calculator will help ensure you don’t have too much or too little income tax withheld from your pay.
9. Request a payment agreement. Paying all your taxes on time avoids penalties and interest. However, if you cannot pay your taxes in full, you may be eligible to use the Online Payment Agreement Application to request an installment agreement.
10.Get a copy of your transcript online. Get a record of your past tax returns also referred to as tax transcripts. The quickest way to get a copy is to use the Get Transcript application on IRS.gov.
11.Get your taxes completed for FREE. While most of the IRS-sponsored tax sites close at the end of the tax filing season, some remain open year-round to help people who qualify for these free services. To find out if a site is open near you, use the VITA Locator Tool located on IRS.gov. In addition to traditional tax preparation services, you may find that some sites offer access to do-it-yourself software free of charge, if you qualify and are interested in preparing your return by yourself, or with a little assistance from an IRS certified volunteer.
Also, it’s important to note that when doing business with the IRS online, the official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Don’t be misled by sites that claim to be the IRS but end in .com, .net, or .org. Some identity thieves use phony websites to gain access to your personal and financial information.
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