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IRS Free File returns up nearly 15%This season, the Direct File pilot is only available in 12 states, but most taxpayers also qualify for another option: IRS Free File. The program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of tax software companies. Tim Hugo Executive director of the Free File AllianceSome 70% of taxpayers, or roughly 100 million Americans, are eligible for Free File. "It's free, it's easy to use and it's available," said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. Other free tax filing options this season include Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Tax Counseling for the Elderly and private company software.
Persons: Tim Hugo, Hugo Organizations: Treasury, IRS, Alliance, Elderly Locations: California, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, Hampshire, Nevada, York, Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming
As the IRS bolsters its cryptocurrency expertise, tax professionals are bracing for increased scrutiny of digital currency. The IRS announced it hired two former crypto executives to beef up its digital currency service, reporting, compliance and enforcement programs. "Everybody's been waiting for the tidal wave of this enforcement activity," said James Creech, an attorney and senior manager at accounting firm Baker Tilly. More from Personal Finance:IRS targets wealthy 'non-filers' with new wave of compliance letters4 red flags for an IRS tax audit — and how to avoid the 'audit lottery'IRS aims to close 'inequity gap' for unpaid taxes. These actions will trigger a "significant amount" of crypto enforcement, said Hylton, who is a former IRS commissioner for the agency's small business and self-employed division.
Persons: Everybody's, James Creech, Baker Tilly, Eric Hylton, John Doe, Hylton Organizations: IRS, Finance, Alliantgroup
The IRS has unveiled final testing for Direct File, the agency's free tax filing program, with plans to fully open in 12 pilot states on March 12. Starting March 4, Direct File will expand final testing for eligible new users to begin federal returns, with availability 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, an IRS official said Friday. Space will remain limited during final testing and Direct File may close briefly if users exceed the day's allotment. However, if you already started a return, you can use the software without interruption, the IRS said. After testing concludes, the IRS plans to fully open Direct File on March 12 to all eligible users in 12 pilot states, an IRS official said.
Organizations: IRS
A general view of the Baker Library/Bloomberg Center on February 17, 2024, at Harvard Business School in Allston, MA. A Harvard Business School graduate tricked his fellow alumni and associates into investing at least $2.9 million in a Ponzi scheme he ran, New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday. Artamonov allegedly lured at least 29 investors into the scheme, most of whom he met through his connections to the elite college, the attorney general said. "Vladimir Artamonov used his alumnus status from Harvard Business School to prey on his classmates and others while seeming legitimate and dependable. Harvard Business School did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Persons: Letitia James, James, Vladimir Artamonov, Berkshire Hathaway, Artamonov, Artamonov's, fraudsters Organizations: Baker Library, Bloomberg Center, Harvard Business School, New York, Finance Locations: Allston , MA, Berkshire, Manhattan
The IRS has unveiled plans to target "non-filers" with a new round of letters, starting with high-income taxpayers who haven't filed federal returns since 2017. Starting this week, the agency will send letters to wealthy non-filers, with the first batch going to those earning $400,000 to more than $1 million. Formerly known as CP-59 notices, the letters will go to between 20,000 and 40,000 non-filers per week, according to plans announced Thursday. The IRS said recipients should take "immediate action" to avoid more letters, higher penalties and "stronger enforcement measures." The agency urges non-filers to work with a tax professional to file past-due returns and calculate taxes owed, penalties and interest.
Persons: haven't, hasn't, Danny Werfel, There's Organizations: IRS, Finance, Fidelity
An H & R Block tax preparation office is seen on Flatbush Avenue on February 06, 2024 in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn borough in New York City. H&R Block marketed free products to many consumers who didn't qualify and made it difficult to downgrade, according to the complaint. "H&R Block allows consumers to downgrade to a less expensive DIY product via multiple mechanisms while ensuring the preparation of accurate tax returns." FTC banned 'deceptive advertising' from IntuitThis is the second FTC action against tax filing software providers in recent history. Other free tax filing optionsMeanwhile, consumers have several free tax filing options this season, including a Direct File pilot via the IRS, which will offer limited free filing for certain taxpayers in 12 states by mid-March.
Persons: Michael M, Samuel Levine, Dara Redler, Ed Mierzwinski, PIRG Organizations: Santiago, Getty, Intuit, Federal Trade Commission, Block, Consumer Protection, U.S . Public Interest Research, FTC, IRS Locations: Flatbush, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, New York City, FTC's
If you've filed your 2023 tax return and want to know when you'll get your refund, the IRS has several tools available to help you track its status. When will I get my tax refund? FAQs How do I check my income tax refund status? You can get updates on the status of your refund on the IRS2Go app or the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool. You can check the status of your return and any refund 24 hours after e-filing by visiting the IRS website or IRS2GO app.
Persons: you've, you'll, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, filers, it's Organizations: IRS, Block, Jackson, Apple, IRS Taxpayer Assistance, CNBC, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter, & $ Locations: Mobile
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAfter vowing to "substantially" reduce audits on a low-income tax credit in September, the IRS confirmed it's taking steps to address the inequity. "We also are testing changes in the audit selection algorithm," that could "remediate the disparate impact that has been occurring," he said. The report pointed to a faulty software algorithm used by the agency that selects who gets audited and noted the earned income tax credit contributed to this disparity. The credit has a high 'improper payments rate'In 2022, about 23 million filers received $57 billion from the earned income tax credit, and the tax break averaged $2,541. For tax year 2023, the credit is worth up to $7,430 for a household with three or more children, according to the IRS.
Persons: Danny Werfel, Al Drago, We've, Werfel, Erin Collins Organizations: Washington , D.C, Bloomberg, Getty, IRS, Stanford University, University of Michigan, U.S . Department of, Treasury, University of Chicago, Senate Finance Locations: Washington ,
WASHINGTON (AP) — A longshot bid to temporarily double a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions for most married couples went down to defeat Wednesday in the House. Republicans limited the deduction to help pay for other tax cuts in the 2017 package. They also cast the vote as an “election ploy to help New York Republicans win the next election.”“They created this problem that they now want to put a band-aid on,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., said of House Republicans. Nearly half of taxpayers in his district claimed the state and local tax deduction before the law was changed during the Trump administration. After the vote, Lawler said New York Republicans fought for their districts and the state, and “New York Democrats helped tanked the bill.” He said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries urged colleagues to vote against the procedural rule.
Persons: Donald Trump's, It's, Joe Biden, Tom Suozzi, George Santos, Biden, , Anthony D'Esposito, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Mike Lawler, Lawler, Trump, ” Lawler, Hakeem Jeffries Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, New, Republican Rep, Republicans, New York Republicans, , House Republicans, “ New, “ New York Democrats, Democrats Locations: New York , New Jersey , California, New York, “ New York, New York , New Jersey
Violetastoimenova | E+ | Getty ImagesHouse lawmakers are weighing relief for a "marriage penalty" that impacts the federal deduction limit on state and local taxes, known as SALT. While the bill doesn't have broad support, it could help shape future tax policy discussions, experts say. Without changes from Congress, the $10,000 limit will sunset after 2025 and there will be no deduction cap. Lawmakers on Wednesday afternoon will cast a procedural vote on the bill for future House consideration. As discussions continue about expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, the SALT cap "is going to be one of the biggest sticking points," he said.
Persons: there's, filers, Garrett Watson, John Buhl Organizations: Getty Images, Republicans, Tax, Urban Institute, Urban Locations: New York , New Jersey, California
But everyday filers could still face an audit — and certain issues are more prone to IRS scrutiny, experts say. Audit rates of individual income tax returns decreased for all income levels from tax years 2010 to 2019, largely due to lower IRS funding, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. Here are some of the biggest IRS audit red flags. Unreasonable tax breaksAnother red flag could be excessive deductions compared to what's considered normal for your income level, according to Losi. Earned income tax creditThe earned income tax credit, a tax break for low- to moderate-income workers, has historically been scrutinized "because the refundable part attracts certain bad actors," said Steber.
Persons: Ryan Losi, Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitt, Steber, what's, Losi, Erin Collins Organizations: Getty, IRS, Office, NEC, lotto, Center, filers Locations: Syracuse, U.S
"I caution anyone on reading too much into an entire year, or a tax season of 3½ months, on five days worth of data." Last year, the average refund for the 2023 filing season was $3,167, as of Dec. 29, according to the IRS. A lot of people who typically file early — such as earned income tax recipients and child tax credit recipients — still haven't filed, Steber said. By law, filers claiming the refundable portion of the child tax credit or earned income tax credit won't get refunds until Feb. 27 at the earliest, the IRS says. Why some tax refunds could be biggerTypically, you can expect a refund when you overpay taxes throughout the year.
Persons: Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitt, , Steber, filers, Danny Werfel Organizations: IRS Locations: Congress
All gambling winnings are considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service, even if you aren't a professional gambler. How to report your winnings and lossesYour gambling winnings and losses are reported separately in your tax return. The reason for that "is to prevent tax filers from offsetting other income with gambling losses," says Razi. Why you probably won't actually claim gambling losses as a deductionThe only way to claim your gambling losses is to itemize your deductions, which most taxpayers don't do. What happens if you don't report your gambling winnings
Persons: Romeo Razi, You'll, Razi Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, CNBC, IRS Locations: Las Vegas
Guido Mieth | Stone | Getty ImagesAs millions of Americans start filing returns, experts warn that last year's tax withholding errors could trigger an unexpected bill. The IRS requires tax payments throughout the year and many workers do that via automatic employer paycheck withholdings. By contrast, you may see a tax bill if you didn't pay enough. For filers with multiple jobs, withholding issues are "always a surprise," according to certified financial planner JoAnn May, principal at Forest Asset Management in Berwyn, Illinois. If you didn't adjust your withholding to reflect your new single status, you may not pay enough taxes during the year.
Persons: Guido Mieth, JoAnn May, it's, you've, John Loyd Organizations: Asset Management Locations: Berwyn , Illinois, Fort Worth , Texas
Established in 2002, the program, known as IRS Free File, is a public-private partnership between the agency and the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of tax software companies. Some 70% of taxpayers — roughly 100 million Americans — are eligible for Free File, according to Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. IRS Free File partners for 2024 season 1040NowDrake (1040.com)ezTaxReturn.comFileYourTaxes.comOn-Line TaxesTaxActTaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA)TaxSlayerIRS Free File is 'not just for simple returns'While complicated filings may need professional guidance, Free File can handle more tax situations than you may expect. Free File partners aren't required to cover all federal income tax forms and schedules. You can also file for an extension through Free File, which moves your filing deadline to Oct. 15.
Persons: there's, Tim Hugo, filers, Danny Werfel, Hugo, 1040Now Drake, There's Organizations: Alliance, IRS
Here's how to pick the best free tax filing option this season
  + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com   time to read: +4 min
IRS Free FileA public-private partnership between the IRS and Free File Alliance, a nonprofit comprised of tax software companies, IRS Free File offers free guided tax prep software for eligible filers. If you're comfortable with tax software, Free File has eight partners this season, with varying income eligibility — and some offer free linked state filings. Volunteer tax prep from IRS programsIf you're looking for more guidance, you may also qualify for free tax prep from IRS programs with trained volunteers. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program offers free tax prep for taxpayers typically making up to $64,000, in addition to filers with disabilities and limited English proficiency. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide also offers free tax prep for low- to moderate-income older adults.
Persons: Tim Hugo, Hugo, Steven Hamilton Organizations: U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Taxpayers, IRS, Alliance, National Taxpayer, Volunteer, Internal Revenue, The George Washington University, Social Locations: Arizona , California, Florida , Massachusetts, Nevada , New Hampshire , New York, South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas, Washington and Wyoming
Laylabird | E+ | Getty ImagesTens of millions of Americans file tax returns every year — and many are missing a "valuable credit," according to the IRS. In 2022, roughly 23 million filers received $57 billion from the earned income tax credit, or EITC, a tax break for low- to moderate-income workers. But nearly 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don't claim the EITC, which averaged $2,541 in 2022, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told reporters during a press call last week. How the earned income tax credit works"The credit is reasonably complex," said Steven Hamilton, assistant professor of economics at The George Washington University. There's a 'high improper payments rate'"Millions of eligible taxpayers fail to claim the EITC, while other taxpayers claim amounts for which they are not eligible, leading to a high improper payments rate," National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins wrote in the 2023 Purple Book of legislative recommendations.
Persons: Danny Werfel, you've, Steven Hamilton, Hamilton, There's, Erin Collins Organizations: The George Washington University, IRS, Center, Black, Stanford University Locations: U.S
The plan calls for providing savings accounts for every child in the U.S. on state 529 college savings platforms, which would be managed by state Treasurers. More from Personal Finance:IRS to launch free tax-filing pilot programJamie Dimon: Improving earned income tax credit is 'no brainer'Biden has forgiven student debt for millions. Children in households that are eligible for the earned income tax credit — which aims to reduce the federal tax burden for low- to moderate-income workers — would receive additional aid. The proposal comes as Congress is poised to consider a new expansion of the child tax credit. Estimates have found the new child tax credit could help about 16 million children from low-income families in the first year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Persons: Democratic Sens, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Chuck Schumer, Ron Wyden, Don Beyer of Virginia, Joyce Beatty, Suzan, Jamie Dimon, Biden, Casey, Momo, Roth, I'm, Madeline Brown Organizations: Democratic, New, Reps, Finance, IRS, Getty, Center, Budget, Urban Institute, D.C Locations: New York, Oregon, Joyce Beatty of Ohio, Washington, U.S
The vast majority of Americans pay to file their tax return, even though they could do it for free. Despite the fact that free tax filing preparation software is available to 70% of the population through the Internal Revenue Service's Free File program, only 4% of eligible taxpayers use the program, per a 2021 U.S. Government Accountability Analysis report. However, that doesn't have to be the case for the 2023 tax filing season, which started Jan. 29. If you made an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less for all tax filing statuses, you qualify for the IRS Free File program, which allows filers to use software from commercial tax prep companies at no cost. There are other free options available too, including the IRS's own free tax prep software, which has been soft-launched in select states for the 2023 tax filing season.
Organizations: Government, IRS Locations: U.S
Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty ImagesAs the tax season kicks off, Congress is still negotiating a $78 billion tax package with retroactive changes, including a boost for the child tax credit. If enacted, the child tax credit changes could affect 2023 filings this season. If enacted, the child tax credit changes could expand access, increase the refundable portion of the tax break and add future inflation adjustments. How to handle retroactive child tax credit changesMeanwhile, there are lingering questions from tax professionals about how to handle possible tax law changes for 2023, especially for those who file early. By law, filers claiming the child tax credit or earned income tax credit won't receive refunds until Feb. 27 at the earliest, according to the IRS.
Persons: Danny Werfel, Tom Williams, Jason Smith, Bill Smith, CBIZ, Werfel, filers Organizations: Senate, IRS, Washington , D.C, CQ, Inc, Getty, Urban, Brookings Tax, Republicans, Friday Locations: Washington ,
Jamie Dimon said increasing taxes for the rich could enable tax cuts for lower-income workers. AdvertisementJPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon said that rich people should pay more taxes to help struggling lower-income Americans. Dimon, who has previously hinted that he could run for office, spoke about how the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC could be expanded. The EITC is a refundable tax credit aimed at reducing some of the tax lower-income Americans have to pay annually. Dimon said that "there are so many tax breaks out there that shouldn't be there" for wealthy people.
Persons: Jamie Dimon, , Dimon, filers, Katherine Michelmore, University of Michigan's Gerald R Organizations: Center, Service, Bloomberg, National Bureau of Economic Research, University of Michigan's, Ford School of Public Policy Locations: New York, Washington
Often, "self-inflicted mistakes" cause refund delays, according to Mark Steber, chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt. The IRS is planning for more than 146 million individual tax returns this season, and the deadline for most filers is April 15. Don't 'guesstimate' on your taxesTax return mistakes are another reason for delayed refunds. Some common tax return errors are "surprisingly simple," such as missing or inaccurate Social Security numbers, misspelled names, entering information wrong and math mistakes, according to the IRS. When to expect your tax refund
Persons: Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitt, Danny Werfel, Steber Organizations: IRS
New York CNN —Come Monday, the IRS will start accepting and processing 2023 federal income tax returns. Pull out your return from last year: Your 2022 tax return will give you a good starting point for figuring out what documents you need to have handy to fill out this year’s return, said Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals. Here is a list of the most common and costly tax return mistakes the IRS has seen over the years. Lastly, the program cannot be used to file your state returns, so you’ll have to do that separately but your state may have its own free file program. (More details on the federal Direct File program are here.)
Persons: Tom O’Saben, you’ve, ” O’Saben, O’Saben, didn’t, you’re, filers, Katie Lobosco, Tami Luhby Organizations: New, New York CNN, IRS, Patriots, National Association of Tax, Social Security, Child, filers, Social Locations: New York, Maine and Massachusetts, brokerages, Arizona , California, Florida , Massachusetts, Nevada , New Hampshire , New York, South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas, Washington and Wyoming
Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty ImagesHouse lawmakers on Friday advanced a $78 billion bipartisan tax package, which includes temporary child tax credit changes that could affect millions of families this filing season. The plan temporarily expands access to the child tax credit with retroactive changes. Here's what to know about the proposed changes to the child tax credit as the opening of tax season, on Jan. 29, quickly approaches. How the child tax credit worksCurrently, the child tax credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17 for 2023 and reduces your taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis. How much the child tax credit could increaseIf enacted, the bipartisan tax bill would make several temporary changes to the child tax credit that could benefit the lowest-earning Americans, according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.
Persons: Tommy Lucas, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, Lucas, Chuck Marr Organizations: Getty Images, Urban, Brookings Tax, Center, Budget Locations: Orlando , Florida
Ronda Churchill | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesWith the opening of tax season only days away, the IRS has unveiled a plan to simplify the millions of complicated notices sent to taxpayers every year. As part of the agency's multibillion-dollar modernization efforts, the IRS has started to review and redesign hundreds of IRS notices — such as letters about unfiled returns, taxes owed or filing errors — aiming to help resolve issues faster and boost compliance. Known as the "Simple Notice Initiative," the program will eventually cover the roughly 170 million notices sent to taxpayers every year, according to the IRS. The agency aims to "review, redesign, and deploy" the majority of IRS letters received by taxpayers by 2025. The program builds on the agency's paperless processing initiative announced in August, which now allows taxpayers to respond to IRS notices online.
Persons: Janet Yellen, Ronda Churchill, unfiled, Yellen, Danny Werfel, Werfel, filers Organizations: Treasury, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Bloomberg, Getty, IRS, National Taxpayer, Congress Locations: Las Vegas, Ronda
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