Tax Filing

The IRS offers electronic filing of income tax returns through third-party providers from links on the official IRS site. Although some safeguards had already been in place, new standards will go...

For most people with traditional tax withholding, filing your taxes means getting a check back from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Filing your return by standard mail usually means waiting...

If a taxpayer had little or no income during the year, filing a tax return is not required. The IRS has set guidelines for filing requirements. Those who are not required to file may find it...

For most taxpayers, filing tax returns electronically is far and away the best course of action. Electronic tax filing--or e-filing--is convenient and you'll probably get any refund much faster....

The standard deduction is a fixed amount that is allowed to be deducted from income so that it is not taxed. In order to figure your standard deduction, you first need to know your filing status....

The IRS expects for taxpayers to report all income earned for the tax year in which they are filing. To streamline the process, the IRS has designated specific forms that correspond to specific...

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require everyone to file income taxes. For each type of tax payer, the least income that doesn't have to file taxes has been set. The following...

In the United States, a person or family making less than a certain amount of money per year may not be required to file a tax return. Whether you must file depends on a number of factors,...

When married, two options exist when it comes to filing your taxes. You can file as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately." Each has its own benefits. The Internal Revenue Service...

Although taxpayers may request an automatic extension and file their returns late, tax payments are due no later than April 15. All payments received by the Internal Revenue Service after that...

The cost of hiring a tax preparer can be almost as intimidating as preparing the tax return itself. Tax preparation fees are often arbitrarily set, making it difficult to determine the benchmark...

Failure to file a tax return on time can definitely become a big deal. However, not knowing how to proceed after April 15 has come and gone often leads taxpayers to procrastinate even longer. The...

You may have seen or heard advertisements claiming that a particular law or tax firm can settle your IRS bill for "pennies on the dollar." Perhaps you're wondering exactly how that could be...

Total federal withholding refers to the total amount of money your paycheck has been reduced by over the course of the year due to U.S. income tax withholding.

Although the deadline for filing an income tax return is April 15, you can submit your return to the Internal Revenue Service as early as Jan. 15. You can do this either by mail or by using the...

Preparing your taxes can be challenging. You may need the help of a certified public accountant or tax-preparation specialist. But these financial professionals charge fees, and you may not be...

Often considered the "marriage penalty," a joint tax return sometimes requires a married couple to pay more in taxes than they would if they each filed as single taxpayers. This usually occurs...

Filing as a single person can be done if you are unmarried or otherwise "considered unmarried" on December 31 of the filing year. This includes those who are divorced or separated legally as well....

Working abroad can be a lot of fun. It's an opportunity to see new places and learn things about a culture you can get only from first-hand experience. However, many people are surprised to find...

Often, filing taxes may seem intimidating and confusing. However, the IRS rules are very clear when it comes to certain situations. For example, the rights of people who receive child support are...

American taxpayers are required to have both their returns filed and tax paid before the April 15 deadline. Although the IRS does allow taxpayers to file for extensions, it does not permit...

For most small business owners, specifically sole proprietors, profit or loss is reported to the IRS via the Schedule C. A sole proprietor's particular situation often determines if a Schedule C...

If you haven't filed tax returns for one or more years, it is important to file the returns as soon as you can. Refundable income tax can only be claimed for three years from the original filing...

Selecting the right filing status for your taxes can save you hundreds of dollars. In general, married taxpayers who file jointly reap more benefits. However, there are certain circumstances that...

If you are a small business owner, it's important for you to use your Federal Employment Identification Number (EIN) as your identifying number when completing legal documents. Using an EIN is...

Many careers, such as reporting, consulting and serving in the military, require extensive travel. Often, individuals in these fields may be stationed and required to work in a particular state...

The federal government uses your tax dollars to pay for services like Social Security, health care, national defense, food stamps, and housing. No one person can afford to pay for these services,...

Standard taxes are filed every April for the income earned the previous year. The best way to file taxes depends on the depth of your sources of income. For instance, company owners should rely on...

The IRS mandates that all taxpayers who are required to file a tax return do so by the April 15th due date. Unless you do not meet the income threshold for filing a return and thus are not...

You can file your federal taxes as early as Jan. 1 if you have all the necessary documents. The Internal Revenue Service has set Jan. 16 as the first day you can file using e-file, its electronic...

When tax time rolls around, scholarships are tricky. They're not exactly income but they can still be taxable, and the rules that govern the distinction are complex. Between the exceptions,...

Although there are many reasons for filing a late tax return, only a few of those reasons are considered justifiable based on the standards outlined by the IRS. Late filing due to illness is often...

No matter what you do for a living, filing taxes is a fact of life, but the ability to file those taxes electronically can take away some of the pain. Filing your taxes electronically is one of...

Federal law requires the filing of income taxes to take place by April 15 of the following year. Sometimes circumstances may cause some people to file late. Filing back taxes is usually not a...

Each year, many taxpayers find themselves in an uncomfortable position: their tax returns are completed and ready to be filed, the federal government says that they owe money, but there are no...

Many Americans file their taxes late every year. As long as you have filed for an extension before the April due date you are in good standing with the IRS. After being granted an extension you...

Forget to file your taxes on time? Relax, as long as you filed an Automatic Extension with the IRS before the April due date your okay. Many people every year delay paying their taxes for one...

Another April 15 has come and gone. You're worried that you may have made mistakes when filing your tax returns with the IRS. Now you wonder how long the agency has to audit your return. Not...

In the United States, married couples can choose to file a joint tax return or separate tax returns. For most couples, filing a joint return results in lower taxes than filing separately.

Tax treatment for 401(k) payouts differs depending upon your circumstances. Generally, payouts taken before you reach age 59 ½ are taxable and subject to a 10 percent penalty, unless you roll...

Filing individual tax returns quickly can help expedite refund payments, but businesses have until the end of January to issue your tax documents. You may not receive relevant W-2s, 1099s and...

If you think you may owe additional money to the tax man, you may be tempted to wait until the last minute to file. But if you are expecting a big refund chances are you want to file that tax...

The April 15 tax-filing deadline can sneak up on us. If you think you won't be able to complete your tax return by then, the IRS will let you file for a 6-month extension. This is an extension...

The IRS does not charge you any money if you request an extension for filing your tax return, and they grant extension requests automatically for up to six months. Some tax preparers may try to...

As computers become more prevalent, many people are opting to use computer software to file their taxes rather than taking their tax problems to a trained accountant.

Quarterly estimated taxes cover income taxes and self-employment taxes for people who have earned income during the year that has not been subjected to tax withholding. Examples of this may...

Taxes are due every year on April 15. There are a number of ways to acquire extensions and possible punishments for not doing so, such as fines and possible prosecution.

If you need a copy of a past tax return, the IRS provides copies upon request for a fee. If you need to obtain a copy of a return you filed in the last seven years, the request process is simple....

Filling in tax forms can be a daunting task no matter how old you are, and the form that you are required to complete will depend upon your individual financial circumstances. The Internal Revenue...

Filing taxes online, also known as e-filing, is a convenient way to file tax returns for some individuals, but filing online also comes with several potential drawbacks that can make a traditional...