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☆ IRS has taken nearly 2 years to help tax identity theft victims get their refunds
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Erin Collins, national taxpayer advocate at the Taxpayer Advocate Service, speaks at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 19, 2021. There's a pileup of tax identity theft cases at the IRS — but the agency is working on a "range of improvements" to speed up service. Identity theft victims have waited more than 22 months for resolution, plus several weeks for refunds. Tax identity theft happens when criminals use stolen personal information to file a fraudulent tax return to claim a refund. Collins reported in January that identity theft victims were waiting 19 months for resolution and refunds, which stemmed from Covid-19 shutdowns and pandemic relief.

Persons: Erin Collins, There's, It's, Collins Organizations: Taxpayer Advocate Service, Washington , D.C, IRS, Finance, Security Locations: Washington ,, Covid

☆ IRS watchdog pushes for transparency on pandemic-era small business tax credit backlog
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Erin Collins, national taxpayer advocate at the Taxpayer Advocate Service, speaks at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 19, 2021. Many taxpayers are experiencing "long delays and uncertainty" amid a backlog of roughly 1.4 million pandemic-era small business tax credit claims, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate. "It’s time for the IRS to be transparent on how and when it plans to move forward addressing these ERC claims," she wrote. Some 85% of pending ERC claims are more than 120 days old. "The IRS is between the proverbial rock and a hard place when it comes to ERC claims," Collins said in a statement.

Persons: Erin Collins, Collins Organizations: Taxpayer Advocate Service, Washington , D.C, National Taxpayer, ERC, IRS, Finance Locations: Washington ,, U.S

☆ First a Victim of Tax Return Identity Theft, Then a 2-Year Wait for a Refund
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Ann Carrns | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal income tax refunds usually appear in bank accounts less than three weeks after the government accepts a return — unless you’re the victim of tax return identity theft. In that case, it often takes about two years. “That period of time is just ridiculous,” Erin M. Collins, who leads the service, said in an interview. For reasons not yet clear, Ms. Collins noted, many of those affected are lower-income tax filers, who often depend on tax refunds to cover basic living costs. Those filers often qualify for tax breaks for working families, like the earned-income tax credit, that can result in significant refunds.

Persons: Erin M, Collins Organizations: Taxpayer Advocate Service, Internal Revenue Service

☆ IRS says it will deliver faster refunds to millions of taxpayers in coming years. Here’s how.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The two-pronged effort, dubbed the “Paperless Processing Initiative,” aims to cut down on the millions of paper documents the IRS receives annually. Although the vast majority of taxpayers file their returns electronically, millions still send in paper returns. By next year’s filing season, taxpayers will be able to digitally file all correspondence, non-tax forms and responses to notices. This will enable up to 125 million paper documents to be sent in online every year, the agency said. Those who prefer to mail in paper returns and correspondence will continue to be able to do so.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Daniel Werfel, ” Werfel Organizations: New, New York CNN, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Service, House Republicans Locations: New York

☆ IRS still has a sizable backlog of returns despite improvements, taxpayer advocate says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But there's still work to do, according to National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins. However, despite customer service boosts, the agency is still working through a sizable backlog — including amended returns, filings in suspense and other correspondence, she said. Collins said the IRS is currently juggling 3.7 million amended returns, 6.8 million "in suspense" with missing information and 5.3 million pieces of correspondence. This season, the agency has prioritized phone service and answered more than 85% of calls from key phone lines in less than five minutes. "The problem is, we are now back to a backlog of paper correspondence and amended returns, similar to where we were a year ago," she said.

Persons: there's, Erin Collins, Collins Organizations: VEGAS, IRS, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Finance, Advocate Service Locations: Las Vegas

☆ Yes, You Can Put Your Taxes on a Credit Card. Here’s How to Make It Work
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +14 min

Sign-up bonusesA much better strategy, according to credit card experts, is to use a hefty tax payment to help you qualify for a generous sign-up bonus on a new credit card. Downsides of paying taxes with a credit cardIn addition to fees, paying your taxes with a credit card isn’t without downsides. Most credit card issuers report your credit card balances and the amount of available credit to all three major credit bureaus monthly. Although having a large balance on a credit card can impact your credit score, the effects aren’t permanent. How to pay federal taxes with a credit cardThe IRS does not directly accept tax payments via credit card.

☆ 5 ways to file your taxes for free this season
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

IRS Free FileIRS Free File offers free online guided tax preparation for your federal tax returns and some state filings if your adjusted gross income was $73,000 or less in 2022. It's a good option for those who have simple returns, don't need ongoing tax planning advice and could benefit financially from the free service. Although 70% of taxpayers qualify for IRS Free File, only 2% used it during the 2022 filing season, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate. Tax prep for older AmericansOlder Americans may also qualify for free in-person and virtual tax help through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. The program works with VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, which also provides free tax preparation for those who qualify.

Here are the five biggest myths around tax refunds that tax experts say are important to know this tax season. Editor's Rating 4.6/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 3.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Learn more On Tax Slayer's website Learn more On Liberty Tax's website Learn more On H&R Block's websiteMyth No. 1: Calling the IRS or visiting their office can speed up your refundAfter you file your taxes, you might find yourself eager for your tax refund check. 3: Getting a large tax refund is the goalWhile it might be a nice feeling to receive a hefty tax refund, CPA Keeyon Upkins says it shouldn't be your ultimate goal as a taxpayer. 5: Tax refunds receive interestIf your tax refund is sent to you in a timely manner, you might think you're owed interest on that payment.

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