FAQs: Taxes

Reduction Proposals

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: We have compiled the list of questions below based on inquiries that we receive. This information is generic in nature regarding tax policy questions and is NOT intended to serve as tax advice. We also cannot provide up-to-date information on any Administration or Congressional proposals that may affect the information shown herein. Any questions regarding specific tax situations or for help in filling out your tax return should be directed to your attorney, accountant or other tax professional, or to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS will not comment, though, on the legislative merits of current tax law, or on pending Congressional action that may change the tax code. Finally, we make every effort to make certain that the information contained here is accurate, but due to the fluid nature of the legislative process, changes in tax laws may occur that are not reflected here at the time of publication. To the best of our knowledge, this information is accurate.

I have a problem with my taxes or with the Internal Revenue Service or need tax forms and publications. Can you help me?

I filed my tax return last year but have not yet received my advance payment check. How long should I wait before checking on it?

I have a problem with my taxes or with the Internal Revenue Service or need tax forms and publications. Can you help me?

As of October 22, 2001

Generally, all public E-mail to the Treasury Department is received in our office. We receive comments, questions and suggestions from our citizens, and appreciate their time and effort in providing their comments on topics of importance to them. It is important for officials in the Treasury Department to have the participation of concerned citizens such as you so that they can take everyone's interests into account. As much as we would like to respond to each communication that we receive, there are many instances where we simply cannot do so, particularly when it involves a "personal" relationship with one of our bureaus. Your inquiry involves Federal income taxes administered by the Internal Revenue Service.

Our office is equipped to respond to questions of a general nature, primarily about historical and non-policy information regarding the duties and functions of the Treasury Department and its bureaus. It is our policy to avoid any interference in the relationship between the Internal Revenue Service and individual taxpayers. As a result, we cannot provide assistance to individuals regarding personal tax returns or requests for forms and publications. Because administration of the tax laws is entirely within the jurisdiction of the IRS, we do not take part in its performance of these duties. We can only suggest that you contact the Internal Revenue Service directly by using the Help, Comments and Feedback page on the IRS web site. Officials at the IRS have informed us that sending e-mail messages containing specific tax and other personal information is not advised, and that these matters should be handled in writing or in person at your local IRS Service Center or District Office.

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I filed my tax return last year but have not yet received my advance payment check. How long should I wait before checking on it?

As of July 27, 2001

According to the Internal Revenue Service, some taxpayers who filed their returns by the April deadline and sent a payment with the return may not yet have received a notice about their advance payment check. Taxpayers who will receive a check will receive a notice, but it may not arrive until a week or two before the check does. Taxpayers who are not eligible for a check will receive a notice to that effect after your return is processed.

When the IRS prepared the names in June to mail the initial notices, it had not finished processing all the returns filed in April. This is because it first processes the payment checks, then refund returns, and finally the returns that came with the payments. The IRS usually completes this third stage of processing sometime in July.

The last checks for those who filed by April were mailed during the week of September 24, 2001. Taxpayers who have not received a check by October 23, 2001 should call the IRS at 800-829-1040. No follow-ups will be done before that date. For those taxpayers who filed later and April, the IRS will continue to send out checks until late December.

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