Insights on tax return due dates, form 1040, form 1040ez, tax refunds and more

Tax credits help offset higher education costs Taxpayers who pay for higher education in 2018 can see tax savings when they file their tax returns. If taxpayers, their spouses or their dependents take post-high school coursework, they may be eligible for a tax benefit. There are two credits available to help taxpayers offset the costs of higher education. The American opportunity credit and the lifetime learning credit may reduce the amount of income tax owed. Taxpayers use Form 8863, Education Credits, to claim the credits. The American opportunity credit is: Worth a maximum benefit up to $2,500 per eligible student Only for the first four years at an eligible college… Read More

Extension filers can avoid making these common filing errors Taxpayers who filed for an extension of time have until Oct. 15 to submit their tax return. To make sure they meet their tax obligations, taxpayers should file accurate tax returns. If a taxpayer makes an error on their tax return, it will likely take longer to process and could delay a refund. Taxpayers can avoid many common errors by filing electronically, the most accurate way to file a tax return. All taxpayers can e-file using IRS Free File or Free File Fillable Forms. Here are common errors for taxpayers to avoid when preparing their tax return: Missing or inaccurate Social… Read More

Here’s how the IRS contacts taxpayers Everyone should know how the IRS contacts taxpayers. This will help people avoid becoming a victim of scammers who pretend to be from the IRS with a goal of stealing personal information. Here are some facts about how the IRS communicates with taxpayers: The IRS doesn’t normally initiate contact with taxpayers by email. The agency does not send text messages or contact people through social media. When the IRS needs to contact a taxpayer, the first contact is normally by letter delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.  Fraudsters will send fake documents through the mail, and in some cases will claim they already notified… Read More