All across the US today, the IRS will be offering free tax help on what they’re calling “Super Saturday.” Taxpayers who earn $42,000 or less in 2008 are eligible for free tax return preparation. Local offices will be open from 9 am to 2 pm to prepare returns and answer questions. For a list of…
We have a winner! See comments! Our last tax trivia question is (though we’re still waiting for a winner on the other one!): In what popular TV show does the star of the show get turned into the IRS for audit by a neighbor, who justified it by saying: But you know he deserved it….
We have a winner! See comments! Our next tax trivia question is: Under current US tax law, a report must be filed if a taxpayer has operations in or related to a country that is on Treasury’s list of countries that require participation in international boycotts. For the last few years (according to available data),…
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Doug Shulman has announced that the IRS will not renew its contracts with two private debt collection agencies. Those contracts expire this year. You may recall that I was not a fan of turning over collections matters to private companies. Like many other tax professionals, I had concerns about the…
Taxpayer asks: I understand mileage rates changed in the middle of the year by the IRS. Can you offer the mileage rates for medical and for service with a non-profit. Taxgirl says: The craziness in gas prices this year did lead to a complicated mileage arrangement for 2008. The IRS normally updates mileage only once…
Taxpayer asks: I want to ask if scans of receipts are acceptable as proof for the IRS. I’ve got receipts that are only one year old and they are already unable to be read due to fading. If we are somehow able to scan the receipt and save a digital copy of the information, do…
If you live in Delaware, Illinois, New York or Rhode Island and file a paper federal income tax return, make sure you read the fine print: your service center mailing address has changed. Taxpayers in Delaware, New York and Rhode Island will mail their returns to the IRS Service Center in Kansas City, MO. Taxpayers…
It’s Fix the Tax Code Friday! One of this week’s “Ask the Taxgirl” posts focused on illegally gained income. Under the Tax Code, you must report all income, regardless of source. This includes drug sales, illegal betting operations, prostitution, bribes, the whole bit. Clearly, including this income on your return, while required, opens you up…
Nope, I didn’t make that statistic up. The IRS claims that 98 million taxpayers – or about 70% – are eligible to e-file their 2008 federal tax returns for free through their FreeFile program. It works like this: twenty vendors have partnered with the IRS to provide free e-filing services for taxpayers who meet certain…
The IRS has announced the opening of an expanded IRS e-file program for 2008 federal tax returns. IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman is encouraging taxpayers to take advantage of the e-file program, noting that, “Filing electronically with direct deposit can get refunds to taxpayers in as few as 10 days.” That’s right: 10 days. Don’t be…