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4 Ideas to Keep in Mind When You File Your Taxes

4 Ideas to Keep in Mind When You File Your Taxes

Remember: the deadline to pay and file your taxes is July 15. Although filing your tax return can be a complex process, there’s no reason to feel overwhelmed. Below you will find four tips that will help you take the stress out of Tax Day.

File Your Taxes Electronically

Filing your taxes electronically is your best option. The process is simple, fast, and secure. Furthermore, filing electronically reduces the risk of mistakes, since all calculations are verified by a tax program. Combining electronic filing with direct deposit is the best way to ensure that you get your tax refund as soon as possible (find more about tax refunds below).

If you don’t know how to file your taxes electronically yourself, or if you need assistance to make sure you stay compliant with all applicable regulations, contact the experts at JT Tax Services. They will be happy to help you take advantage of filing your taxes electronically.

How to Easily Check the Status of Your Refund

Checking the status of your refund is really easy. You have two main options to do this. You can use the online tool Where’s My Refund? provided by the IRS or you can download the IRS2GO mobile app in order to have the same information readily available on your smartphone. These are the most efficient ways to get information about the status of your refund. You can also contact the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954, but as the IRS points out, there’s no need to call unless the online tool indicates you to do so.

Your Options if You Can’t File or Pay Your Taxes by July 15

Not everybody is ready to file and pay their taxes just yet. These are your options if you need more time in each case.

  • Request an extension to file: If you can’t file your tax return by July 15, you can request an extension to file that will give you time until October 15, 2020, to file your return. You can request an extension by making a payment using IRS Free File and selecting extension as the reason for the payment. Alternatively, you may also mail a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension for Time to File, by the July 15 filing deadline.
  • Set up an Installment Agreement: On the other hand, if you can’t pay by July 15, you may qualify for an Installment Agreement to spread out your payment over a set period of time. If you are interested in requesting an Installment Agreement, you can do so online, or by downloading and mailing  Form 9465 (Installment Agreement Request) to the IRS along with a tax return, IRS bill or notice.

Depending on your specific situation, you may have more options available to you if you can’t file or pay your taxes by July 15. You can check some of these additional options here. Contact a tax expert to learn more about the alternatives that best fit your personal situation.

Get Advice From the Experts at JT Tax Services

Equipped with these tips, you will be able to file your taxes easily and with no stress. However, it’s always important to get personalized advice.  Our knowledgeable experts at JT Tax Services will help you so you can take advantage of all the relief initiatives you are eligible for while staying compliant with all regulations that apply.

At JT Tax Services we have the experience, the knowledge and the drive to assist you. With our advice, you can file your taxes with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are limiting your liability while staying compliant with federal and state tax regulations.

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us by email, telephone (805-984-8890) or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.

The deadline to file and pay your taxes is July 15.

The Deadline to File and Pay your Taxes is July 15: Everything You Need to Know

July is here already, and that means that July 15, the deadline to file and pay your taxes, is approaching as well.

As you may remember, the original deadline was April 15, but it was extended to July 15 to help those affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that the date won’t be moved again, so it’s important to take steps to file and pay your taxes if you haven’t done so yet.

Extensions to File

People who can’t file their taxes by July 15 can ask for an extension that allows them to file by October 15. It’s important to remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay. That means that you still have to pay your taxes totally or partially before July 15. There are two ways to request an extension.

  • Filing form 4868, Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
  • Paying all or part of their tax due indicating that the payment is for an extension.

In both cases, don’t hesitate to seek the assistance of a tax professional if you need help completing any of the steps involved.

The Options for People who Can’t Pay Their Taxes by July 15

On the other hand, people who can’t pay their taxes by July 15 also have several options available to them. These alternatives include:

  • Online payment agreement: They are available for individuals who owe $50,000 or less (including taxes and penalties).
  • Installment agreement: People who do not qualify for an online payment agreement, or decide not to use it, can take advantage of this option.
  • Temporarily delaying collection: If the IRS determines that a person can’t pay, they can decide to temporarily delay the collection process. However, keep in mind that penalties and interests continue to accrue until the full amount due is paid.
  • Offer in compromise: In some cases, the IRS may reach an agreement to allow a person settle their tax bill for less than the amount they owe. To know if you are eligible for an offer in compromise, use the official IRS tool Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier.

State Taxes

It’s important to keep in mind that the July 15 deadline refers to federal taxes. The dates for state taxes may differ, so be sure to get accurate information about your specific location. Here you can find links to the websites of the tax agencies of every state.

Get Help From the Tax Experts at JT Tax Services

Now that you have all the relevant information, you are ready to make better decisions before filing and paying your taxes. Our knowledgeable experts at JT Tax Services will help you so you can take advantage of all the relief initiatives you are eligible for.

At JT Tax Services we have the experience, the knowledge and the drive to assist you. With our advice, you can file your taxes with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are limiting your liability while staying compliant with federal and state tax regulations.

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us by email, telephone or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.

The Amount of Your Economic Impact Payment Is Incorrect? Here's what to do.

What to Do if the Amount of Your Economic Impact Payment Is Incorrect?

The Internal Revenue Service has processed about 159 million Economic Impact Payments (EIP), a stimulus geared to help taxpayers affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

However, some people are surprised to discover that the amount of their Economic Impact Payment is smaller than they expected. What to do in this situation?

Some Basic Information

It’s worth remembering that eligible taxpayers may get up to $1,200 for individuals, and up to $2,400 for those married filing jointly. Additionally, they may receive $500 for every qualifying child (you can use this chart to check how much you should receive).

As we have seen in a previous post, there are three basic reasons why your Economic Impact Payment may be smaller than expected:

  • You haven’t filed your return for 2019, so your Economic Impact Payment is based on past information.
  • The qualifying child is under 17 years of age (considering how old they are at the end of the year for the tax return on which the IRS bases the payment amount).
  • Your payment was offset by past-due child support payments.

What to Do if the Amount of Your Economic Impact Payment Is Incorrect?

The IRS is not able at this moment to correct or issue additional payments. If you believe the amount of your Economic Impact Payment is incorrect, your option is claiming the additional amount when you file your 2020 tax return.

Keep the Notice 1444, Your Economic Impact Payment, you will receive regarding your Economic Stimulus Payment with your records. This notice is mailed to your last known mail address a couple of weeks after your payment is issued. You can refer to this notice when you file your 2020 tax return. This way you’ll be able to claim additional credits if you qualify for them.

Get Expert Advice

It’s important to know this and other initiatives to navigate the current circumstances. Our knowledgeable experts at JT Tax Services will help you take advantage of all the relief initiatives you are eligible for.

At JT Tax Services we have the experience, the knowledge and the drive to assist you. With our advice, you can file your taxes with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are limiting your liability while staying compliant with federal and state tax regulations.

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us by email, telephone or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.

The deadline to file and pay your taxes is July 15.

Remember: You Have Until July 15 to File and Pay Your Taxes

It’s important to keep in mind that the deadline to file and pay your taxes is July 15.

Tax Day was originally scheduled for April 15, but it was moved due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. You don’t have to fill any form, take any further action or contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to take advantage of this extension. It has been applied automatically to all taxpayers.

Benefits of Paying and Filing Your Taxes Electronically

If you expect to get a refund, it’s advisable to make sure that your filing and payment are done electronically. This way, you would get your refund within approximately 21 days. On the other hand, taxpayers who file on paper by mail have to wait up to six weeks to get their refunds.

Filing and paying your taxes electronically is a precise, convenient and safe option because all data is protected with modern encryption techniques.

Tax-Filing Extensions

If you need more time to file your taxes beyond July 15, then you can request a tax-filing extension in two ways:

  • Filing form 4868 through their tax professional or through the IRS’ website.
  • Submitting an electronic payment and selecting form 4868 as the payment type.

Remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay. You still have to pay your taxes by the original deadline

Get Advice From a Reliable Tax Professional

Finally, remember that this extension applies only to federal taxes. Check with your local tax agency or a trusted tax professional to stay up to date regarding deadlines to file and pay state taxes.

It’s important to know this and other updates to navigate the current circumstances. Our knowledgeable, friendly experts at JT Tax Services will help you so you can take advantage of all the relief initiatives you are eligible for.

At JT Tax Services we have the experience, the knowledge and the drive to assist you. With our advice, you can file your taxes with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are limiting your liability while staying compliant with federal and state tax regulations.

We are located in Oxnard, California. Contact us by email, telephone or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about our services.

Tax-Filing Procrastinators

Tips for Tax-Filing Procrastinators

Due to the hassles of every-day life, American citizens tend to wait until the last minute to file their taxes. According to the IRS, if you file your return more than 60 days after the due date or extended due date, the minimum penalty is the smaller of $135 or 100 percent of the unpaid tax. Here are a few tips that will help you get your taxes in on time:

 Go to a Tax Professional to Prepare Your Taxes 

Going to tax professionals will not only save you time, but it will often increase your chances of saving money due to their knowledge of possible deductions and credits that you can qualify for. Along with their expertise in saving you money, a tax preparer can also be of great assistance in the event of a possible audit. They can communicate directly to the IRS on your behalf and make the process a lot more stress-free for you.

 File your Taxes Online 

The capabilities of an online program that calculates your taxes greatly reduces the chances of you making an expensive mistake on your numbers. Furthermore, when you file your taxes online you are creating an electronic record for reference in the future.

 Have Paperwork and Documentation Ready

 A tax organizer can help you accumulate the necessary forms you need to file your taxes. You can input information so that the program can deduct what forms you will need. Then create a checklist and cross of each item after it is taken care of.

Ask for an Extension

 Amidst the panic of filing your taxes at the last second, people tend to make mistakes. Requesting an extension can give you an extra 6 months to help you get your affairs in order in a more timely and precise manner. However, it is important to have an estimate of your final tax bill and make payments so that you don’t begin accumulating interest after the original filing deadline passes.

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