Tax Time

Taxes are already a four letter word in our society. Each year the IRS introduces more legislation to ensure Americans are compliant and unable to escape filing. Unfortunately, this legislation affects our beliefs and practice of tax exempt people. I meet many clients who avoided the process for years and with gentle guidance are able to tackle this annual task with much more confidence.

A tax return is generally initiated by an individual receiving an IRS form (W2, W2G, 1099,etc) from a source of revenue. Even self employed individuals receive forms. Receiving one of these forms is a notice to the IRS that you have income. Depending upon the amount or type of income, it may trigger an IRS requirement to file a tax return. It is best to get a professional opinion on the tax forms you receive and determine if you may have to file a tax return. Here are some tips from the IRS to make your tax-filing experience a breeze this year. .

1. Don’t procrastinate. Resist the temptation to put off your taxes until the very last minute. Rushing to meet the filing deadline may cause you to overlook potential sources of tax savings and will likely increase your risk of making an error.

2. Visit the IRS website. More than 322 million visits were made to http://www.irs.gov in 2011. Make “1040 Central” your first stop to check for the latest news and find answers to your questions about tax filing.

3. Use Free File. Let Free File do the hard work with brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. It’s available exclusively at http://www.irs.gov. Everyone can find an option to prepare their tax return and e-file it for free. If you made $57,000 or less, you qualify for free tax software that is offered through a private-public partnership with manufacturers. If you made more than $57,000 and/or are comfortable preparing your own tax return, there’s Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms. Visit http://www.irs.gov/freefile for options.

4. Try IRS e-file.  Last year, 79 percent of taxpayers - 106 million people - used IRS e-file, which is the safest, easiest and most common way to file a tax return. If you owe taxes, you can file immediately and pay later (by the April 17 tax deadline). Best of all, when you combine e-file with direct deposit  the IRS can generally issue your refund in as few as 10 days.

5. Don’t panic if you can’t pay.  If you can’t pay the full amount of taxes you owe by the mid-April deadline, you should still file your return by the deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. More than 75 percent of taxpayers eligible for an Installment Agreement can apply using the web-based Online Payment Agreement application available at http://www.irs.gov. To find out more about this simple and convenient process, type “Online Payment Agreement” in the search box at http://www.irs.gov.  You can also contact the IRS to discuss your payment options.

6. Request an extension of time to file – but pay on time.  If the deadline clock is ticking, you can get an automatic six-month extension through Oct. 15. However, this extension of time to file, which must be filed or postmarked by the April 17 deadline, does not give you more time to pay any taxes due. If you have not paid at least 90 percent of the total tax due by the April deadline you may also be subject to an estimated tax penalty. You can obtain an extension through Free File at http://www.irs.gov/freefile. Or, file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, available for downloading at http://www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to have a paper form mailed to you. Allow at least 10 days for mailed forms and publications.