How to Prevent a Refund Offset If You Are Experiencing Economic Hardship

Taxpayers are often surprised after they file their tax return requesting a refund to receive a smaller amount or no refund at all. Many are not familiar with the law that provides the IRS the ability to reduce their refund and apply it to prior federal and state liabilities. The IRS’s authority to offset a…

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Identity Verification and Your Tax Return

Identity theft issues impact millions of taxpayers each year, resulting in considerable delays and taxpayer burden. In the 2023 Annual Report to Congress, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins discussed how each year, the IRS flags millions of returns for potential fraud. In 2022, the IRS suspended processing of 4.8 million tax returns pending identity…

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Your tax “to-do” list: important tax dates for 2024

The Taxpayer Advocate Service shares information on important tax deadlines for individuals and businesses. Looking for your tax “to-do list” for 2024? When dealing with IRS, there are important tax deadlines throughout the year. Here are a few key dates for 2024 to keep you in the know. For a more comprehensive list of dates…

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Choosing the correct filing status for your tax return

Sometimes we see confusion about which filing status people should choose when filing their tax return. Did you know IRS.gov has an online application to help you decide? They do, it’s called What Is My Filing Status? What You’ll Need to Determine Your Filing Status To use the What Is My Filing Status? tool, you will need to know: • Marital…

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Multiple Free Filing Options Available for Taxpayers in 2024

Preparing and filing tax returns can cause anxiety and confusion. You have choices to help you timely and accurately meet your 2023 filing requirements for free. Free filing and assistance are available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, IRS Free File programs, IRS Direct File, MilTax,…

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Free File, Free File Fillable Forms, and Direct File

Filing electronically is the safest, fastest, and most accurate way to file your tax return. If you choose to prepare and file your own tax return, depending on your circumstances, the IRS may offer you three ways to electronically file (e-file) your tax return for free. Helpful Hint:  To speed up your refund process, it’s…

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Why You Need an IRS Individual Online Account and How to Sign Up

Over the last year, the IRS has added new features and tools to Individual Online Account that can help taxpayers during this filing season. You should consider signing up for your IRS online account as you prepare to file your tax return. Why wait on hold when you have faster options? Filing season is the…

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Employer-Provided Childcare Credit

If you are an employer who provides childcare services to your employees, you might be eligible for the Employer-Provided Childcare Credit. The credit is an incentive for taxpayers to provide childcare services to their employees. To be eligible for the credit, an employer must have paid or incurred qualified childcare expenditures during the tax year…

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Important Considerations as You Select Your Return Preparer This Filing Season

March 5 – With the filing season underway, many taxpayers are gathering their tax documents, including Forms W-2 and 1099, and figuring out exactly how they will prepare their income tax returns. Some taxpayers choose to prepare their own tax returns using tax return preparation software. However, last year, over 54 percent of all individual…

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