Frequently Asked Questions

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS.
They help taxpayers whose problems with the IRS are causing financial difficulties; who have tried but have not been able to resolve their problems with the IRS; and those who believe an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should..
You can call your local advocate, whose number is in your phone book, or via the Internet at Taxpayer Advocate Service – at www.irs.gov/advocate or You can also call 1-877-777-4778 .
Call or write to the IRS. Keep records of all of your attempts to contact an agent. Fill out IRS Form 911 if you cannot resolve conflict or find resolution through an IRS agent.
File a complaint with the Inspector General if you need to report cases of fraud or corruption by an IRS employee.

Your receipt of your Federal refund might be delayed to the end of February, 2017 if your tax return claimed a earned Income tax credit or the additional child tax credit. Here are some tips to help taxpayers with their refund questions:
Have the right tax information ready before using any of the IRS refund tools. This includes Social Security number, filing status and refund amount.
You don't need to check the IRS website “Where's My Refund” more than once a day as your information will not change. To avoid system delays, the best time to check on refunds is evening and weekends.
There is no need to call the IRS about your refund; the telephone service has the same information that is available on “Where’s My Refund”.

Go to a local office or Call IRS. IRS phone numbers are listed at their website at http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html.

Where you live determines where you file. Ask your local CPA what your correct mailing address is, or go to the following web site for the mailing address: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/where_file/index.html

A number of electronic payment options are available to taxpayers. Payments can be made online, by phone using a credit or debit card or through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Taxpayers who e-file their returns may use the electronic funds withdrawal option for submitting an electronic payment. It’s possible, for example, to e-file in February or March but schedule the payment for withdrawal as late as April 15.Information on these options can be found on the Electronic Payment Options Home Page of IRS.gov. Yes. To pay by credit card, debit card or EFTPS go to irs.gov/e-pay. Generally taxpayers will be able to make payments using American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. Note that Convenience fees (up to 2.35%) will be added to the amount due.

You should file a "joint" tax return and include the deceased income earned and applicable deductions prior to your spouse's death.
A joint return is filed by yourself and the executor or administrator. Do not include income earned after the date of death. This income is considered "income in respect of a decedent" and is taxed to the Estate or beneficiary receiving the income in the year of the receipt.
The income must be reported by the Estate (if more than $600) on Form 1041. Speak to your local CPA about the personal and Estate tax returns that you need to file.

No. If you are married (as of the last day of the year),you may elect to file using the status of married Jointly or married Separately.
Generally, separate tax returns may be more beneficial and save both people money, when both people have earnings and taxable income and high medical or miscellaneous itemized deductions exist.
Filing separately may allow more of the phased-out itemized deductions which are based on the taxpayer(s) Adjusted Gross Income.

If you did not live with your spouse for the last 6 months of the current tax year and maintained a household for your dependent children, you may file as a "Head of household" filing status.
Head of household filing status is better than married-filing separately or single. You should speak to your local CPA prior to filing your tax return.

If you are unmarried at the end of the year, you may be able to file as a head of household or widower if you pay for more than 50% of the household costs for the child or relative that lives with you.
You may file as a widow(er) if you became a widow(er) in the 2 prior tax years, and in the current tax year you paid more than 50% of the household costs for you and the dependent child.
The tax rates for widow(er) and head of household are more favorable than filing as a single.