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An eligible educational institution is generally any Accredited public, nonprofit, or private college, university, vocational school or other postsecondary institution.

If a student is claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, all qualifying educational expenses of the student are treated as having been paid by that person.
if a student is not claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, only the student can claim the credit.

An eligible educator's above the line deduction for up to $250 in qualified classroom expenses has been extended from 2011 to 2012 and 2013.

An eligible educator's above the line deduction for up to $250 in qualified classroom expenses has been extended from 2011 to 2012 and 2013.

On March 1, 2013, the Treasury department will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security recipients. Retirees will be required to choose to have their Social Security payments either directly deposited into a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a prepaid Direct Express Debit MasterCard.
New Social Security beneficiaries have been required to choose an electronic payment option since May 2011, and approximately 93 % of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments are already being made electronically.

On March 1, 2013, the Treasury department will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security recipients. Retirees will be required to choose to have their Social Security payments either directly deposited into a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a prepaid Direct Express Debit MasterCard.
New Social Security beneficiaries have been required to choose an electronic payment option since May 2011, and approximately 93 % of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments are already being made electronically.

Bonus depreciation on purchases of race horses was reinstated in 2013 at 50%, which was the 2012 rate. The expense allowance was increased to $500,000 for this year and retroactively increased from $125,000 to $500,000 for horses purchased in 2012.
Accelerated depreciation for young racehorses continues through 2013.
Taxpayers can depreciate racehorses that are 24 months and younger when purchased and placed in service using a three-year schedule rather than the previous seven-year schedule.

To get an update on your tax refund call 1-800-829-4477.

Affected taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either this year or last year.
Claiming the loss on an original or amended return for last year will get the taxpayer an earlier refund, but waiting to claim the loss on this year’s return could result in a greater tax saving, depending on other income factors.
Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements.
For details, see Form 4684 and its instructions.

The IRS toll-free disaster assistance telephone number, 1-866-562-5227, if you are a hurricane victim with specific questions about tax relief or disaster related tax issues.