News Highlight
Mar 3, 2011
Tax Season Can be Stressful: Let Benefits.gov Help
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Ready or not, Tax Day is just around the corner.
Mark your calendars! This year, the deadline has been moved to April 18th!
Let Benefits.gov be your guide to help you prepare for this tax season.
Each year, taxpayers overlook important tax benefits and deductions that they may be entitled to. Given the financial challenges many Americans currently face, it's important to take advantage of any available deductions, credits or other assistance programs.
This filing season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) encourages all eligible taxpayers to check their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by using the EITC Assistant. This is a refundable Federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. Once taxpayers find out if they qualify for the EITC, they must first file a tax return and claim the credit.
Not sure where to start? Benefits.gov offers these useful tips as you prepare for tax season:
1. Get Organized: Gather all of your documents and categorize your receipts for wages, mortgage information, medical expenses, charitable donations, investments, and other notable transactions.
2. Stay Informed: Make sure you're aware of changing tax program information by visiting the IRS Highlights page to learn about updates and new programs. Another way to stay informed is by subscribing to Benefits.gov updates. You can click on "Subscribe to email updates" on any program page on Benefits.gov to receive emails about changes to that specific program.
3. Submit Your Return Online: There are a number of electronic options available to help you submit your tax return online. Visit The Electronic IRS page to browse available options.
4. Take Advantage of Free Services: There are many free tax resources and tools available to you. For instance, you may be eligible to receive free tax preparation assistance through IRS Free File. To get started, you will need your W2s or 1099s on hand, plus records for any deductions. Contact your local IRS office for more information.
Take the stress out of tax season by starting early! For tax-related programs, including information about various tax credits and taxpayer assistance programs, select "Tax Assistance" on the Browse by Category page. Visit www.irs.gov for further details and resources from the IRS.
Mark your calendars! This year, the deadline has been moved to April 18th!
Let Benefits.gov be your guide to help you prepare for this tax season.
Each year, taxpayers overlook important tax benefits and deductions that they may be entitled to. Given the financial challenges many Americans currently face, it's important to take advantage of any available deductions, credits or other assistance programs.
This filing season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) encourages all eligible taxpayers to check their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by using the EITC Assistant. This is a refundable Federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. Once taxpayers find out if they qualify for the EITC, they must first file a tax return and claim the credit.
Not sure where to start? Benefits.gov offers these useful tips as you prepare for tax season:
1. Get Organized: Gather all of your documents and categorize your receipts for wages, mortgage information, medical expenses, charitable donations, investments, and other notable transactions.
2. Stay Informed: Make sure you're aware of changing tax program information by visiting the IRS Highlights page to learn about updates and new programs. Another way to stay informed is by subscribing to Benefits.gov updates. You can click on "Subscribe to email updates" on any program page on Benefits.gov to receive emails about changes to that specific program.
3. Submit Your Return Online: There are a number of electronic options available to help you submit your tax return online. Visit The Electronic IRS page to browse available options.
4. Take Advantage of Free Services: There are many free tax resources and tools available to you. For instance, you may be eligible to receive free tax preparation assistance through IRS Free File. To get started, you will need your W2s or 1099s on hand, plus records for any deductions. Contact your local IRS office for more information.
Take the stress out of tax season by starting early! For tax-related programs, including information about various tax credits and taxpayer assistance programs, select "Tax Assistance" on the Browse by Category page. Visit www.irs.gov for further details and resources from the IRS.
