Many taxpayers aren’t aware that the Internal Revenue Service offers taxpayers free help on federal tax questions and with filing a return. You can get the free tax help along with tax tips and answers to your tax questions by visiting the IRS website, by telephone and in person.

When seeking tax help online make certain that you go to the authentic IRS website. A great tax tip is to understand that the official IRS site does not end in .com, .net., .org or any other designation. The official site ends in .gov

The IRS website offers free tax help through applications available through its Online Services section. Tax tips and answers to your tax questions can be ascertained through the following:

• Free File a program available exclusively at IRS.gov in English and Spanish, offers brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. Everyone can find an option to prepare and e-file their tax returns for free. Taxpayers who earned $58,000 or less qualify for free software through a private-public partnership with manufacturers. Taxpayers who earned more or who are comfortable preparing their returns can use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms.
• Find an Authorized e-file Provider helps individual taxpayers find someone who can electronically file their tax return.
• EITC Assistant, available in English and Spanish, helps taxpayers find out if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Interactive Tax Assistant guides taxpayers through a series of questions and provides responses on credits, deductions and general filing questions.
• Electronic Federal Tax Payment System enables taxpayers to pay their tax online.
• Online Payment Agreement for taxpayers who cannot pay their tax completely by April 18, 2011.
• IRS Withholding Calculator helps taxpayers make sure the amount of income tax they have withheld from their pay isn’t too high or too low.

The IRS also offers free tax help with free tax preparation available through it’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) program.

Taxpayers can also get resolution to tax questions and issues that cannot be answered online or by phone, and who need face-to-face assistance via the Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Another free tax help offering provided by the IRS include tax forms and publications walk-in service, low income taxpayer clinics, Braille tax material and a taxpayer advocate service. For information on these IRS services, or to get more tax tips, tax facts, or answers to your tax questions visit the IRS website.

source: irs.gov

Do you think the IRS has a heart? Well, the Internal Revenue Service wants you to think so. Although the IRS has historically been cold-heartened and downright ruthless, it appears they recognize that many taxpayers are having difficult times financially. There can be a tax impact to events such as job loss, foreclosure, bankruptcy or tapping a retirement fund that may result in you not being able to pay your federal income tax. The IRS wants to help, sort-of, by providing this advice for those of you who can’t pay your taxes.

So what do you do if you can’t pay your federal taxes?

“The first thing to do is not panic. If you cannot pay the full amount of taxes you owe, you should still file your return by the deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. You also should contact the IRS immediately to discuss your payment options at 1-800-829-1040. The agency may be able to provide some relief such as a short-term extension to pay, an installment agreement or an offer in compromise. In some cases, the agency may be able to waive penalties. However, the agency is unable to waive interest charges which accrue on unpaid tax bills” as is stated on the IRS website.

If you will owe a significant amount of federal taxes and can’t pay it, one of best things to do is consult with a tax attorney before you contact the IRS. The tax attorney will go over your situation, give the options available and make you feel more at ease. If you decide to hire the tax attorney, he can represent you in your case with the Internal Revenue Service

source: irs.gov

The global recession has put millions of American out of work in 2009. If you are one them, you need to know the answer to the following federal tax questions:

1. Are there tax breaks or tax exemptions for unemployment compensation when filing my 2009 Federal income tax return?

2. Where can I get the tax help to answer this federal tax question?

To get the answer you could search the IRS website, contact an IRS agent for federal tax help, consult an income tax attorney, talk to your tax accountant or wade through the 2009 federal income tax manual and get the answer yourself.

Or you can get this important tax information below:

Yes, there is a tax benefit for those who received unemployment compensation in 2009.

The first $2,400 of 2009 Unemployment Compensation is TAX-FREE.

This is a one-year federal income tax exemption granted by the stimulus act.

Unemployment benefits above the $2,400 limit will still count as taxable income.

source: smartmoney