IRS Tax Return Tax Tips
tax guides via RSS
Recent Articles
Good Deeds Gone Bad: Getting a Tax Break for That Loan Your Nephew Never Paid Back
There's good reason to be cautious about lending money to family. If the borrower isn't conscientious about repayment, you're stuck between trying to get your money back and maintaining family harmony. But say you went ahead and did it. You loaned money to a relative—like a nephew—and he didn't pay you back. If it's any consolation, you can get a tax break for bad loans made to family, but it's not as simple as checking a box on your return. And if you didn't properly document the loan, you might be out of luck. Read more…
How Do I Request Prior Year Federal Tax Returns?
You can request prior tax returns, for a fee, from the IRS. Read more…
Who Needs an ITIN or Individual Tax Identification Number?
The Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, allows taxpayers who don't have a Social Security Number (SSN) to file income tax returns. Unlike other forms of ID, ITINs only have one purpose—tax filing and reporting. Having an ITIN number won't make you eligible for benefits, such as Social Security or earned income credits that provide refunds to some low-income filers. Read more…
Who Is Exempt from Paying Social Security Tax?
Most people can't avoid paying Social Security taxes on their employment and self-employment income. There are, however, exemptions available to specific groups of taxpayers. Read more…
Do You Have to File an Income Tax Return?
Believe it or not, there may be years when you don't have to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. To make this determination, you need to evaluate a number of factors, such as the amount of income you earn and your filing status. It also depends on whether you’re the dependent of another taxpayer, and a number of special circumstances that require the filing of a tax return regardless of other factors. Read more…
More IRS Tax Return Articles
Get tax tips and tricks, from quick fixes to long term strategies.
Ready to try TurboTax?
Start for Free-
![]()
Your security.
Here's how
Built into everything we do. -
![]()
TurboTax has tax reform covered,
Learn more
file now!
TURBOTAX ONLINE/MOBILE
- Try for Free/Pay When You File: TurboTax online and mobile pricing is based on your tax situation and varies by product. Absolute Zero $0 federal (forms 1040EZ/1040A) + $0 state limited time offer only available with TurboTax Free Edition; offer may change or end at any time without notice. Actual prices are determined at the time of print or e-file and are subject to change without notice. Savings and price comparisons based on anticipated price increase. Special discount offers may not be valid for mobile in-app purchases.
- QuickBooks Self-Employed Offer with TurboTax Self-Employed and TurboTax Live for Extension Filers: To receive your complimentary subscription to QuickBooks Self-Employed through 10/31/19, you must pay for your 2017 TurboTax Self-Employed or TurboTax Live return between 4/18/18 and 10/15/18 and sign-in and access your QuickBooks Self-Employed account via mobile app or at https://selfemployed.intuit.com/turbotax at least twice by 12/31/18. You will have the option of renewing your QuickBooks Self-Employed subscription by 10/31/19 for another year at the then-current subscription rate. You may cancel your subscription at any time from within the QuickBooks Self-Employed billing section. See QuickBooks.com for price comparison. Offer not valid for existing QuickBooks Self-Employed subscribers already on a paid subscription.
- Pays for itself (TurboTax Self-Employed): Estimates based on deductible business expenses calculated at the self-employment tax income rate (15.3%) for tax year 2017. Actual results will vary based on your tax situation.
- Anytime, anywhere: Internet access required; standard data rates apply to download and use mobile app.
- Fastest refund possible: Fastest tax refund with e-file and direct deposit; tax refund time frames will vary.
- Pay for TurboTax out of your federal refund: A $X.XX Refund Processing Service fee applies to this payment method. Prices are subject to change without notice.
- TurboTax Help and Support: Access to a TurboTax specialist is included with TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed and TurboTax Live; not included with Free Edition (but is available as an upgrade). TurboTax specialists are available to provide general customer help and support using the TurboTax product. SmartLook on-screen help is available on a PC, laptop or the TurboTax mobile app. Service, area of expertise, experience levels, wait times, hours of operation and availability vary, and are subject to restriction and change without notice.
- Tax Advice, Expert Review and TurboTax Live: Access to tax advice and Expert Review (the ability to have a Tax Expert review and/or sign your tax return) is included with TurboTax Live or as an upgrade from another version, and available through October 15, 2018. These services are provided only by credentialed CPAs, EAs or tax attorneys. State tax advice is free. Some tax topics or situations may not be included as part of this service, which shall be determined in the tax expert’s sole discretion. In the event your return is reviewed by a tax expert and requires a significant level of tax advice or actual preparation, the tax expert may be required to sign your return as the preparer at which point they will assume primary responsibility for the preparation of your return. Expert Review [and TurboTax Live] not available on the TurboTax mobile app or when using a web browser on your mobile phone. On-screen help is available on a PC, laptop or the TurboTax mobile app. Service, area of expertise, experience levels, wait times, hours of operation and availability vary, and are subject to restriction and change without notice.
- Tax Return Access and My Docs features: Included with TurboTax Deluxe, Premier, Self-Employed, TurboTax Live or with PLUS benefits. Access to all tax-related documents we have on file for you is available through 10/31/2019. Terms and conditions may vary and are subject to change without notice.
- #1 best-selling tax software: Based on aggregated sales data for all tax year 2016 TurboTax products.
- Most Popular: TurboTax Deluxe is our most popular product among TurboTax Online users with more complex tax situations.
- CompleteCheck: Covered under the TurboTax accurate calculations and maximum refund guarantees.
- #1 rated online tax prep provider: Based on independent comparison of the best online tax software by TopTenReviews.com March 13, 2017.
- Get tips based on your tax and credit data to help get you to where you want to be: Tax and credit data accessed upon your consent.
TURBOTAX CD/DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
- TurboTax CD/Download products: Price includes tax preparation and printing of federal tax returns and free federal e-file of up to 5 federal tax returns. Additional fees apply for e-filing state returns. E-file fees do not apply to New York state returns. Savings and price comparison based on anticipated price increase. Prices subject to change without notice.
- Fastest refund possible: Fastest tax refund with e-file and direct deposit; tax refund time frames will vary.
- Pay for TurboTax out of your federal refund: A $X.XX Refund Processing Service fee applies to this payment method. Prices are subject to change without notice. This benefit is available with TurboTax Federal products except TurboTax Business.
- About our TurboTax Product Experts: Customer service and product support vary by time of year.
- About our credentialed tax experts: Live tax advice via phone is included with Premier and Home & Business; fees apply for Basic and Deluxe customers. State tax advice is free. Service, experience levels, hours of operation and availability vary, and are subject to restriction and change without notice. Not available for TurboTax Business customers.
- #1 best-selling tax software: Based on aggregated sales data for all tax year 2016 TurboTax products.
- Data Import: Imports financial data from participating companies; may require a free Intuit online account. Quicken and QuickBooks import not available with TurboTax installed on a Mac. Imports from Quicken (2016 and higher) and QuickBooks Desktop (2012 and higher); both Windows only. Quicken import not available for TurboTax Business. Quicken products provided by Quicken Inc., Quicken import subject to change.