IRS offers new Interactive tax assistant, new free search for tax law questions

IRS offers new Interactive Tax Assistant, new free search for Tax Law questions, and offers a down-loadable copy of your research!

The Internal Revenue Website (IRS), has always had an excellent search box, located on the upper right hand corner of the IRS website, within their own site for individuals, tax professionals, and Tax Law practitioners  , The Interactive Tax Assistant is a Tax Law Resource tool that goes beyond a simple How To Search. This is geared more toward the Tax Professional, Tax Lawyer, CPA, Enrolled Agent, and possibly IRS staff could make use of this friendly tool. 

This new toy for the Tax People among us. Us nerds, who wait anxiously, during February to get our ink-stained, paper-cut fingers, on the new Publication 17. (It is easily accessible on the www. IRS.gov website, and down-loadable in PDF format today. The Pub 17 as it is loving called is still available in paper, and on disc too) 

When Congress completes creating Tax Law Changes for the prior and upcoming tax years, it is when Tax Professionals come to life. Like bats in a cave, sleeping during the day, it appears there is not even a heartbeat among them. April 15, hails the end of the tax season. There are the extension filers and trouble cases that go through a good part of the year, but then it settles down to a mere trickle. Then, the second week of February comes, and it is on.


Then, the sounding bell rings through Tax-dom, "Congress has recessed, Congress has recessed, we may begin filing!"


The madness begins, and with many new tax law changes during this historical 2010-2011 session, we are seeing many breaks for businesses who withhold and match FICA for employees. Employees themselves are getting big relief. It is a huge break across the board. 


This year Tax Professionals will be held responsible for collecting and verifying every legal deduction taken. In years past, a CPA, or Tax preparer could have relied on the, "assume they are telling the truth rule", but so many Tax Professionals helped their clients fudge, that new rules came into affect.

The Interactive Tax Assistant tool, from the IRS, offers an easy and reliable source of research, that can take the pressure off of the Tax Pro, while assisting the Taxpayer/Client in having their books, K-1's, LLC's, Estate Tax Changes, and more. There are many US Taxpayers who have been able to bully an accountant, or preparer into doing his will, more than what the Tax Code says. This takes the pressure off. 


Another benefit that can be seen with this tool, are for a client's benefit. While preparing the books of a Company, Partnership, LLC or any other entity, if there are deductions or credits that are "red flags" or often get audited, while the Tax Pro knows this a legitimate expense or claim, this would appear to be a very helpful tool. 

When pre-answering questions that may be asked in an Audit or a Letter from the IRS, requesting more information in a tax matter this could be a time and worry saver all the way around. 


This blog has always been at the basic level, and on a higher professional level there are probably many other ways this tool can be implemented. 


Review of Tool - 

• Search must be by legal language or positioning phrases of Tax code or law.

I had a legal question that I needed to know for a close friend. It was in regards to the taxability of   an insurance settlement of an Estate of a Deceased descendant. 

On my first try, I used the standard Search criteria used for Google searches. 

Q. Is income from an Estate settlement taxable?

A. Came up with the topic of Income types, statuses; the basics of Income definition as they are applied to status, etc.

My next step, was to search closer to the subject, using regular search methods.

Q. Taxable Income from an Estate settlement.

A. Again, I got types of income, and a few other partially related topics.

Then, I asked in the wording used in Tax Code.

Q. Estate, taxes, settlements

A. Estate information came up the first time, When I returned to redo my process for this blog post, only standard information for types of income came up, but it quickly linked me to the information I was seeking.

The IRS has advanced with technology, and is helping taxpayer, take more responsibility in their taxes, while offering more tools for a subject, that makes the standard non-tax-nerd, roll their eyes to the back of their head, and leave. Way to go y'all. Thanks for making it a little easier.

Free File - Fillible Forms From the IRS!

It's your Birthday - It's your Birthday - It's your Birthday - It's Your Birthday!!!! WEE HO!

If you can read instructions, you can file your Tax Return for ***FREE***

The Year of the Taxpayer!

• Low Income, you are eligible for Earned Income Credit, in 8 days you can have your Federal Tax Return for 2008 for Free. This means the $300.00 - $600.00 you would be charged in preparation and loan fees will be back in your home and family where it belongs.
• Consider yourself middle class in terms of pay? Do you know you are going to owe a little cheese to SAMMY, and now you are hacked off because you know you gotta pay some little twerp who just learned how to enter data in a machine around $100.00 bucks [or for some of us the $30.00 we may pay for "Free File" using other companies software] to do your return - AND have to pay in too...You can file free. All the forms you need are there. All instructions for each form are viewable while you are on that form. FREE *
• Tax person * hate filing your taxes where you work? Like keeping your financial business to yourself? YOU WILL LOVE THIS.
• Old School? - You know how to do your simple tax return on paper and by-Jobie that is the only true way? If you aren't familiar with the computer, ask that grand baby to show you how to get to the IRS website. Instructions are to follow:
• Haven't done your taxes for a few years? You can go back and do every year FREE. Do you know how much money this will save you? For those who were scrambling to file for the Stimulus check, and you didn't get it done, now is a good time to finish. If you can read instructions. You can do this.
• Rich? HATE giving anyone a penny to do what you may be able to do yourself? Do you wait until April 15Th [traditionally] to do your taxes to put off paying Uncle SAMMY, and the Big Twerp CPA who has been gouging you every year and you are ready to put it in his/her eye? Here is your chance...If you are High Income, you probably need to wait until the middle of March 2009 to do your Tax Return. This is when 2008 Tax Law Changes are done, and all Forms will be available.
• Love to File Extensions? Hate to pay $25.00 - $50.00 or more for that pleasure? You can electronically file an Extension. How much? FREE!
• Seniors - Disabled - Not required to file, you can file if you want to, just to stay in the system. Free * Free * Free

Go to www.irs.gov click on the "Individual" Tab. Under the picture of the happy mixed family at the picnic table, the third item down (02/02/09) is a Link to Free File. At the top of Free File page it gives options for Your choosing a Tax Software or letting the IRS find a company for you. The next option is Choose Your Forms, click on that. It will advise you that you are leaving the IRS website, go ahead. You will come to a simple pretty blue form 1040. Have your last year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) - that is the bottom line on the front page of your Last Year's Tax Return (2007). Come up with a pin number. Most choose last 5 of the Social Securtiy Number, because you always have it and can remember it. Choose your forms. If you are not sure if you will need a form, go ahead and choose it, you can delete it later. Come back later for further instructions....

If you have any questions. Leave them here, and I will do my best to get your Answer - This Year is the Year of the Tax Payer, because I am working for Free doing this as well. Any income I would earn is by over a thousand visits to my page...[maybe April 14Th huh?]. Really, let me help, this Old Grizzly knows her stuff! I have resources and training, that I get from the IRS. I am an approved e-file company. This is my Karma building year, and Americans and Visitor workers need all the Helps and benefits they can get.

For confidentiality - email: grizzly.bear@att.net

***Case examples from all past years may be used without names or any identifying features. Due Diligence is Primary! Any questions intended to commit fraud? Don't ask me, because I will advise you to the illegality and possible punishments. -0- Tolerance. Honest questions - Priceless! :8 - ) ***

Recovery Rebate Credit - 2009

Good News! Mo Money! This is straight from
the IRS today! Way to go!

Subject: Recovery Rebate - IRS Notice 01/06/09

Recovery Rebate Credit Information Center

En Español
The Recovery Rebate Credit is a one-time benefit for people who didn't receive the full Economic Stimulus Payment last year and whose circumstances may have changed, making them eligible now for some or all of the unpaid portion.

Generally, a credit adds to the amount of a tax refund or decreases the amount of taxes owed. Therefore, the amount you receive for the Recovery Rebate Credit will be included as part of your refund, as shown on your tax return. Unlike the 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment, it will not be issued as a separate check.
You May Be Eligible
People who fall into the categories described below may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit this year:
· Individuals who did not receive an Economic Stimulus Payment.
· Those who received less than the maximum Economic Stimulus Payment in 2008 — $600 per taxpayer; $1,200 if married filing jointly — because their qualifying or gross income was either too high or too low.

· Families who gained an additional qualifying child in 2008.
· Individuals who could be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return in 2007, but who cannot be claimed as a dependent on another return in 2008.
· Individuals who did not have a valid Social Security number in 2007 but who did receive one in 2008.
How to Get the Recovery Rebate Credit
You need to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. The instructions for these forms will show you which lines to use. Unlike the Economic Stimulus Payment, the Recovery Rebate Credit will be included in your tax refund for 2008 and will not be issued as a separate payment.
The IRS Will Figure the Credit for You in Most Cases
You can choose to let the IRS do the work when you file your 2008 Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. If you're filing on paper, simply follow the line-by-line instructions to choose this option. If you're filing electronically, the software will figure the credit for you.
Or You Can Figure It Yourself
Likewise, you can figure and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2008 Form 1040,
1040A or 1040EZ. Two interactive online tools will be available to help you with the calculation: The Recovery Rebate Credit Calculator and How Much Was My 2008 Stimulus Payment?
The Recovery Rebate Credit Calculator will help you figure the amount you should claim on your 2008 tax return. Or, you can use the worksheet in the Form 1040 instruction booklet to help you figure your credit by hand. To use the Recovery Rebate Credit Calculator or complete the worksheet, you'll need the amount of the Economic Stimulus Payment you received in 2008, if any. This amount was provided on Notice 1378, Economic Stimulus Payment Notice, sent by the IRS to taxpayers who received a payment.
You can use How Much Was My 2008 Stimulus Payment? to determine the amount you already received, if you don’t have or didn't receive Notice 1378.

Lesson 1

January 15, 2009 is approaching quickly.

The first two weeks of the new year is when the IRS opens its doors [electronic] to tax payers; (workers who have a portion of their earnings removed from a paycheck). All payers have chance to pay in more taxes, or receive an Income Tax Refund for over payment of taxes.

People have little information about how the Tax Code is applied. Most citizens don't have a clue as to why their Bottom Line is what it is. Mostly, it is that "deer caught in the headlights" phenomenon that happens when a tax expert speaks to a regular person.

The goal is to break it down to where anyone can understand how to file their taxes; or get the legitimate Tax Help needed.

Dept of Treasury - $

IRS
l
Congress l Executive Branch Judicial Branch
I l I I
State Can Veto - (Say No)
Reps -- or,
I Pass
People
[Voters - Taxpayers]

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