As if tax time isn’t difficult enough, the IRS is warning taxpayers that this season will be especially frustrating. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig says, “In many areas, we are unable to deliver the amount of service and enforcement that our taxpayers and tax system deserves and needs.”. They’re dealing with an enormous backlog of returns, staffing shortages and a major increase in call volume. According to its website, the IRS had 6 million unprocessed individual tax returns at the end of December. And things may get worse now that a new filing season is underway. Despite the warning, there are things you can do to avoid problems and get your refund as quickly as possible.
E-file
The IRS expects to receive over 160 million tax returns this year. Although most people e-file, there is a small percentage of taxpayers who still mail their return to the IRS. Due to the backlog, those paper returns will take longer to get processed and you may be waiting months before you get your refund. The best way to avoid delays is to e-file. It’s more secure than filing by paper, you can use tax software like ezTaxReturn.com to file from home, and you may qualify for a free federal return.
Make sure your entries are correct
Usually when people run into trouble with their taxes, it’s because they didn’t provide accurate information. Before you file, make sure you have all your W-2s, 1099s and other important tax documents. If you received a third Economic Income Payment (EIP) or advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, watch out for special notices from the IRS. In late January, they sent Letter 6475 to EIP recipients. This will help you claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if you didn’t receive the full stimulus payment that you deserved. Families who received advance Child Tax Credit payments should have already received Letter 6419 from the IRS in December. The letter states the amount you received, and the number of children used to calculate your payment. You’ll need this information to properly calculate your Child Tax Credit when you file.
Always double check your entries before submitting your return. Watch out for common mistakes like missing or incorrect Social Security numbers, misspelled names, and incorrect bank account numbers. Using tax software can prevent math mistakes and help determine which tax credits and deductions you’re eligible for. You can save time and avoid stress by doing your taxes at an Authorized IRS e-file Provider like ezTaxReturn.com. It’s fast, easy and if you use ezTaxReturn, you’ll get the biggest possible refund, guaranteed.
Get your refund faster with direct deposit
As long as the information on your return is correct, most taxpayers will receive their refund within 21 days if they e-file and choose direct deposit. Keep in mind that if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, by law the IRS cannot release your refund before mid-February.
Explore other options before calling the IRS
Last year, the IRS received over 145 million calls between January 1st and May 17th. That’s four times more than usual. Rather than call the IRS, you can usually get the answers you need by searching their website. They have a “Where’s My Refund?” tool that will tell you exactly when to expect your refund once it’s been processed. If you’re using tax software to file, you can always contact customer service for assistance. Less than 10% of ezTaxReturn customers need to contact us for support, but if you have questions, we’re here to help. You can get the answers you need via email, phone or by searching our Knowledgebase. Whichever is convenient for you.
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