Question 1

What are the tax changes for 2018

Accepted Answer

Individuals - Form 1040.
You will no longer use Form 1040-A or Form 1040-EZ, but instead will use the redesigned Form 1040. Many people will only need to file Form 1040 and no schedules.
 
Businesses - Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-15

Question 2

Do I need to file a tax return?

Accepted Answer

Even if you don't have to file, you should file a tax return if you can get money back. For example, you should file if one of the following applies.
 
1. You had income tax withheld from your pay.
 
2. You made estimated tax payments for the year or had any of your overpayment for last year applied to this year's estimated tax.
 
3. You qualify for the earned income credit. See Pub. 596, for more information.
 
4. You qualify for the additional child tax credit. See the instructions for the tax form you file (Form 1040 or 1040A) for more information.
 
5. You qualify for the refundable American opportunity education credit. See Form 8863.
 
6. You qualify for the health coverage tax credit. For information on this credit, see Form 8885.
 
7. You qualify for the credit for federal tax on fuels. See Form 4136.

Question 3

How quickly will I get my refund?

Accepted Answer

IRS issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days.
 
If it's been longer than 21 days and I haven’t gotten your refund.

Some taxes take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return:
- Includes errors
- Is incomplete
- Is affected by identity theft or fraud
- Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit.
- Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process
- Needs further review in general
 
IRS will contact you by mail when they need more information to process your return.

Question 4

How can I check my refund status?

Accepted Answer

Go to:
 
https://www.irs.gov/refunds
 
and click "check my refund status"

Question 5

How do I notify the IRS my address has changed?

Accepted Answer

Mail to IRS a complete Form 8822 or Use your new address when you file your taxes.

Question 6

Is there an age limit on claiming my child as a dependent?

Accepted Answer

To claim your child as your dependent, your child must meet either the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test:
1)  To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you and either younger than 19 years old or be a "student" younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year.
2)  There's no age limit if your child is "permanently and totally disabled" or meets the qualifying relative test.
 
In addition to meeting the qualifying child or qualifying relative test, your child must also meet all of the other tests for claiming a dependent:
.Dependent taxpayer test
.Citizen or resident test, and
.Joint return test

Question 7

Standard deduction vs itemized deduction?

Accepted Answer

The federal standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount, based on your filing status and age, that the IRS lets you take off (deduct) from your taxable income.
 
On the other hand, the itemized deduction allows you to list (itemize) your deductions on Schedule A. Roughly a third of all taxpayers itemize.
 
The IRS lets you choose either the "bundled" standard deduction or the "a la carte" itemized deduction. Naturally, most taxpayers will choose the one that gives them the biggest tax break. Your tax preparer should let you know which option gives you the biggest tax break.

Question 8

What is Schedule A? (Long From)

Accepted Answer

The IRS lets you take either the standard deduction or the itemized deduction. If you itemize (about 1/3 of all taxpayers do), we'll automatically fill out Schedule A, Itemized Deductions and switch you over to the 1040 long form.
 
Schedule A lets you report certain deductible expenses like:
-Medical and dental costs above and beyond 7.5% of your AGI
-State, local, real estate, and personal property taxes
-Home mortgage interest
-Charitable donations and gifts
-Damaged or stolen property (due to disasters, theft, and other causes)
-Unreimbursed employee expenses above and beyond 2% of your AGI
 
After you finish going through the Deductions & Credits section, the tax preparer will recommend whichever deduction – standard or itemized – gives you the biggest tax break. But you can always override our recommendation if you wish.

Question 9

What is the EITC?

Accepted Answer

The EITC is a credit for people who work for someone else, or are selfemployed, or received certain disability payments. To qualify, the amount of income you earned must be less than $54,884. The credit ranges from $2 to $6,431. The amount depends on:
• whether you are single or married
• if you have no children or the number of children you have
• the amount you earned.

Question 10

Where's My Amended Return?

Accepted Answer

Check the status of your Form 1040-X, Amended Tax Return for up to three prior years.
 
1. When to check...
Your amended return will take up to 3 weeks after you mailed it to show up on our system.
Processing it can take up to 16 weeks.
 
2. What you need...
Social Security Number
Date of birth
Zip Code  
 
3. Go to:  https://sa.www4.irs.gov/wmar/login

Question 11

Payment Agreement Application Online?

Accepted Answer

For pay plans Q&A go to:
 
https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application

Question 12

What is a Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ( ITIN )?

Accepted Answer

For all ITIN Q&A go to:
 
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number

15% off on new services

Tax . Bookkeeping . IRS Solutions . Business Formation