Tax Tip 2018-42, March 20, 2018 Taxpayers can visit IRS.gov for quick access to helpful tax information and tools that can help them with their taxes. Here are some things taxpayers can do when they visit IRS.gov: Use IRS Free File. Prepare and e-file federal taxes free with IRS Free File. Taxpayers with income of $66,000 or less can file using free brand-name tax software. Those who earned more can use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms. Either way, everyone has a free e-file option, and the only way to access Free File is on IRS.gov. Find Out How to File Tax Returns Electronically. IRS e-file, which includes Free File, is the easiest, safest and most popular way to file a complete and accurate tax return. The fastest way to get a refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit. On IRS.gov, taxpayers can see if they qualify for free volunteer help, find software options to e-file their own taxes, or find an authorized e-file provider. Get Answers to Tax Questions. The Interactive Tax Assistant tool and the IRS Tax Map answer many tax-law questions. Many IRS tools and products are also available in other languages, including Spanish. Find a Tax Preparer. Taxpayers can use the Directory of Tax Return Preparers tool to find a list of tax preparers near them. Taxpayers can search based on the credentials and qualifications they want their preparer to have. Check on a Refund. Track a refund using Where’s My Refund? It’s quick, easy and secure. Taxpayers can check the status of their refund within 24 hours after the IRS has received the e-filed return. Those who file a paper return can check the refund status four weeks after mailing it. Once the IRS approves a refund, the tool will give a date to expect it. The IRS updates refund status for the tool once a day, so there’s no reason to check more often. Pay Taxes Online. Taxpayers will find information about the different ways they can pay their taxes. This includes electronic funds withdrawal, payment by debit or credit card, and IRS Direct Pay. Use the EITC Assistant. Taxpayers who worked and earned less than $53,930 in 2017 may be eligible for the earned income tax credit. Taxpayers can use the EITC Assistant tool to see if they qualify. View Account Information. Taxpayers can go to IRS.gov/account to securely access information about their federal tax account. They can view the amount they owe, pay online, or set up an online payment agreement. They can also visit this page to access their tax records online, review the past 18 months of payment history, and view tax return information for the current year. Taxpayers can visit IRS.gov/secureaccess to review the required identity authentication process. The IRS reminds taxpayers that they should keep copies of their prior-year tax returns for at least three years. Taxpayers using a software product for the first time may need their adjusted gross income amount from their 2016 tax return to file electronically. Taxpayers can learn more about how to verify their identity and electronically sign tax returns at Validating Your Electronically Filed Tax Return. IRS YouTube Videos: Interactive Tax Assistant – English| ASL (Obsolete)
