Publication 519
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100051142Assistance for overseas taxpayers is available in the U.S and certain foreign
locations.
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061513If you have questions about a tax issue, need help preparing your tax return, or want to download free publications, forms, or instructions, go to IRS.gov and find resources that can help you right
away.
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061514
Find free options to prepare and file your return on IRS.gov or in your local
community if you qualify.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited-English-speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older. TCE volunteers specialize in answering questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to
seniors.
You can go to IRS.gov to see your options for preparing and filing your return which include the
following.
- Free File. Go to
IRS.gov/FreeFile. See if you qualify to use brand-name software to prepare and
e-file your federal tax return for free.
- VITA. Go to
IRS.gov/VITA, download the free IRS2Go app, or call 800-906-9887 to find the nearest VITA location for free tax
preparation.
- TCE. Go to
IRS.gov/TCE, download the free IRS2Go app, or call 888-227-7669 to find the nearest TCE location for free tax
preparation.
 | Getting answers to your tax questions.
On IRS.gov get answers to your tax questions anytime, anywhere. - Go to
IRS.gov/Help or
IRS.gov/LetUsHelp
pages for a variety of tools that will help you get answers to some of the most
common tax questions.
- Go to
IRS.gov/ITA
for the Interactive Tax Assistant, a tool that will ask you questions on a
number of tax law topics and provide answers. You can print the entire interview
and the final response for your records.
- Go to
IRS.gov/Pub17
to get Pub. 17, Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals, which features details
on tax-saving opportunities, 2017 tax changes, and thousands of interactive
links to help you find answers to your questions. View it online in HTML, as a
PDF, or download it to your mobile device as an eBook.
- You may also be able to access tax law information in your electronic filing
software.
|
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061516 Go to
IRS.gov/Forms
to view, download, or print all of the forms and publications you may need. You
can also download and view popular tax publications and instructions (including
the 1040 instructions) on mobile devices as an eBook at no charge. Or, you can
go to
IRS.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have forms mailed to you within 10 business
days.
Go to
IRS.gov/Account to securely access information about your federal tax account.
- View the amount you owe, pay online or set up an online payment
agreement.
- Access your tax records online.
- Review the past 18 months of your payment history.
- Go to
IRS.gov/SecureAccess to review the required identity authentication process.
The fastest way to receive a tax refund is to combine direct deposit and
IRS e-file. Direct deposit securely and electronically transfers your refund directly into your financial account. Eight in 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their refund. IRS issues more than 90% of refunds in less than 21
days.
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061519Due to changes in the law, the IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February 2018, for returns that properly claimed the earned income credit (EIC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these
credits.
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061520The quickest way to get a copy of your tax transcript is to go to
IRS.gov/Transcripts. Click on either "Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail" to order a copy of your transcript. If you prefer, you
can:
- Order your transcript by calling 800-908-9946.
- Mail Form 4506-T or Form 4506T-EZ (both available on IRS.gov).
- The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email or telephone to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media
channels.
- Go to
IRS.gov/IDProtection for information and videos.
- If your SSN has been lost or stolen or you suspect you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft, visit
IRS.gov/ID to learn what steps you should take.
- Go to
IRS.gov/Refunds.
- Due to changes in the law, the IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February 2018, for returns that properly claimed the EIC or the ACTC. This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these
credits.
- Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile device to check your refund
status.
- Call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954.
The IRS uses the latest encryption technology to ensure your electronic payments are safe and secure. You can make electronic payments online, by phone, and from a mobile device using the IRS2Go app. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and faster than mailing in a check or money order. Go to
IRS.gov/Payments to make a payment using any of the following options.
- IRS Direct Pay: Pay your individual tax bill or estimated tax payment directly from your checking or savings account at no cost to
you.
- Debit or credit card:
Choose an approved payment processor to pay online, by phone, and by mobile
device.
- Electronic Funds Withdrawal:
Offered only when filing your federal taxes using tax preparation software or
through a tax professional.
- Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best option for businesses. Enrollment is required.
- Check or money order: Mail your payment to the address listed on the notice or
instructions.
- Cash:
You may be able to pay your taxes with cash at a participating retail store.
Go to
IRS.gov/WMAR
to track the status of Form 1040X amended returns. Please note that it can take
up to 3 weeks from the date you mailed your amended return for it to show up in
our system and processing it can take up to 16 weeks.
Go to
IRS.gov/Notices
to find additional information about responding to an IRS notice or letter.
Keep in mind, many questions can be answered on IRS.gov without visiting an IRS Tax Assistance Center (TAC). Go to
IRS.gov/LetUsHelp
for the topics people ask about most. If you still need help, IRS TACs provide
tax help when a tax issue can’t be handled online or by phone. All TACs
now provide service by appointment so you’ll know in advance that you can
get the service you need without long wait times. Before you visit, go to
IRS.gov/TACLocator
to find the nearest TAC, check hours, available services, and appointment
options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, under the Stay Connected tab, choose the Contact
Us option and click on “Local Offices.”
The IRS Video portal (
IRSvideos.gov) contains video and audio presentations for individuals, small businesses, and tax
professionals.
For taxpayers whose native language isn’t English, we have the following
resources available. Taxpayers can find information on IRS.gov in the following
languages.
The IRS TACs provide over-the-phone interpreter service in over 170 languages, and the service is available free to taxpayers.
taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061531taxmap/pubs/p519-049.htm#en_us_publink100061532The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an
independent
organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights.
Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and
understand your rights under the
Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
We can help you resolve problems that you can’t resolve with the IRS. And our service is free. If you qualify for our assistance, you will be assigned to one advocate who will work with you throughout the process and will do everything possible to resolve your issue. TAS can help you
if:
- Your problem is causing financial difficulty for you, your family, or your
business,
- You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action,
or
- You’ve tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded, or the IRS hasn’t responded by the date
promised.
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes 10 basic rights that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Our Tax Toolkit at
TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov can help you understand
what these rights mean to you and how they apply. These are
your rights. Know them. Use them.
TAS works to resolve large-scale problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, please report it to us at
IRS.gov/SAMS.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and need to resolve tax problems with the IRS, such as audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes. In addition, clinics can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. To find a clinic near you, visit
TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/LITCmap or see IRS Publication
4134,
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.
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