Essential Tax Resources & Tools

Navigating your tax journey doesn’t have to be complicated. Use the official tools below to track your money, plan your future payments, and stay organized.

1. Track Your Money

  • Track Your Federal Refund: Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the status of your income tax refund. You can usually start tracking within 24 hours of e-filing.

  • Track Your Amended Return: If you filed a Form 1040-X to correct a previous return, use this tracker to follow its progress. Note that amended returns can take up to 16 weeks to process.

2. Planning & Estimating

  • IRS Withholding Estimator: Avoid surprises at tax time. Use this calculator to see if you are having the right amount of tax taken out of your paycheck. It helps you decide if you need to submit a new W-4 to your employer.

  • Current Tax Rates & Brackets: Stay informed on the latest federal income tax rates. Understanding your tax bracket helps you estimate your total liability and plan your finances for the year.

3. Stay Organized

  • Appointment Checklist: Getting ready to meet with a tax professional? Use our checklist to ensure you have your ID, W-2s, 1099s, and expense receipts ready so you don’t miss any deductions.

  • Record Retention Guide: Not sure how long to keep those old returns? As a general rule, keep your tax records for at least 3 years. However, for property, home improvements, or business records, you may need to keep them for 7 years or longer.