Tax season tends to creep up on you and before you know it, April 15th is just around the corner. If you're in the middle of the tax filing process, tax questions are bound to arise—there are several ways to get the answers you need. Let's look further into navigating the resources available to you.
One of the most common reasons why tax filers contact the IRS is due to receiving a dreaded IRS audit letter. If you receive one, try not to panic as most tax issues are simple to fix. Before you contact the IRS, start by finding out what section of your tax return the government wants to audit. Once you know what the auditor is questioning, you can start gathering the requested information. An audit doesn't always indicate a problem. You may be getting audited for one of the following reasons:
This type of IRS audit is selected based solely on a statistical formula. The IRS compares your tax return against "norms" for similar returns. The IRS develops these "norms" from audits of a statistically valid random sample of returns.
The IRS may select your returns when they involve issues or transactions with other taxpayers, such as business partners or investors, whose returns were selected for an audit.
Missing tax forms such as a W-2 is another popular reason why filers contact the IRS. However, if you haven't received your form by mid-February, there are a few options available to you, including contacting the IRS.
Individual telephone assistance can be obtained by dialing 1-800-829-1040 Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.
You can find a clickable map of the United States on the IRS website which allows you to select your home state and determine the appropriate mailing address for each filing.
The IRS offers the Interactive Tax Assistant to find and submit general tax questions. However, it's best not to use it for more complex questions that require individualized information.
Referred to as the Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC), in-person IRS offices are open from Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.
The IRS can assist with concerns such as
Filing requirements/ status/ dependents/ exemptions
Itemizing or standard deduction questions
Interest, dividends, other types of taxable income
Social Security income
Pensions, annuities and Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) questions
Child Care and Earned Tax Credits
Capital gains, losses, sales of homes
Estimated tax payments and underpayment questions
Small business/self-employed income
Filling for aliens and U.S. citizens living abroad
If you have taxable income under $100,000, do not claim dependents and satisfy a few other criteria, you may be able to use our software to file for free. Please refer to this page for more information: https://www.e-file.com/how-to-file-free.php. Depending on your location, IRS returns and documents are filed with different IRS offices around the United States. The following is a list of states, other jurisdictions and addresses for mailing your IRS filings.
| State
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia |
|
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
|
Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V:
|
Form 1040:
|
|
Form 1040-ES:
|
Form 1040A:
|
|
Form 1040-ES(NR):
|
Form 1040EZ:
|
|
Form 1040X:
|
Form 1040X:
|
|
Form 4868:
|
Form 4868:
|
| State
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming |
|
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
|
Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V:
|
Form 1040:
|
|
Form 1040-ES:
|
Form 1040A:
|
|
Form 1040-ES(NR):
|
Form 1040EZ:
|
|
Form 1040X:
|
Form 1040X:
|
|
Form 4868:
|
Form 4868:
|
| State
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia |
|
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
|
Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V:
|
Form 1040:
|
|
Form 1040-ES:
|
Form 1040A:
|
|
Form 1040-ES(NR):
|
Form 1040EZ:
|
|
Form 1040X:
|
Form 1040X:
|
|
Form 4868:
|
Form 4868:
|
| State
Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas |
|
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
|
Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V:
|
Form 1040:
|
|
Form 1040-ES and 1040-ES(NR):
|
Form 1040A:
|
|
Form 1040X:
|
Form 1040EZ:
|
|
Form 4868:
|
Form 1040X:
|
|
Form 4868:
|
|
| State
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin |
|
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
|
Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V:
|
Form 1040:
|
|
Form 1040-ES:
|
Form 1040A:
|
|
Form 1040-ES(NR):
|
Form 1040EZ:
|
|
Form 1040X:
|
Form 1040X:
|
|
Form 4868:
|
Form 4868:
|
Using less paper with pre-printed forms is the "green" way to go and allows you to file around your own schedule. Avoid the long lines at the post office and file electronically instead. E-filing provides you confirmation that a return has been submitted as well as when it is accepted.
On average, e-filing is more accurate than filing manually. Now, many consider it safer than filing via mailed paper return. The IRS itself has stated it prefers the practice over the traditional paper forms and mailing procedure. Over two out of three returns are now successfully filed online.
No, you don't have to send your W-2 with your tax return. This is true whether you file electronically or through the mail. Instead, you will enter the information found on your W-2 form when our software prompts you or within the appropriate fields on your tax return.
Now, once you submit your tax return, you do need to retain a copy of your W-2, your tax return, and any other related documentation. How long you keep these depends. For most returns, you should keep your tax paperwork for a period of at least three years after your filing date. However, if you file a loss claim or if you don't report all income you may need to keep the paperwork for up to seven years.