Tag Archive for VITA

The Postcard Filing – A Naïve, Misguided Fantasy

Eva Rosenberg, Tax Connections

The good news. President Trump Congress keeps telling you that taxpayers will be able to file on a postcard.

The bad news? Look at lines 3, 10, 11, and 12.
Your government is naïve. While this may be wish-fulfillment, it has no basis in practical reality.

It should be a required pre-requisite for all lawmakers to prepare their own income tax returns before they are permitted to write, vote on, or pass legislation. I loved that episode of the short-lived TV series Mr. Sterling, where Senator Bill Sterling (Josh Brolin)  is grumbling, trying to prepare his own tax return. Better yet, they should spent two weeks volunteering, or observing, at a VITA site to see how their tax laws truly affect low-income people’s tax filings. Read More

Written by | Posted in Tax Credit • Tax Filing • Tax Return

Can IRS Stop Printing Forms And Pubs?

Annette Nellen

Who remembers when the IRS mailed a packet with blank tax forms and instructions AND your Social Security number printed on your mailing label?  Several years ago the IRS reduced mailings such as when they could tell the taxpayer prepared their return with software the year before and for the past few years don’t mail forms.  They do still print them to pick up at IRS service locations. All of the forms, instructions and publications can be read or printed from the IRS website. Read More

Written by | Posted in Form 1040 • IRS

IRS Publication 3 – Armed Forces Tax Guide

According to IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide, the Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC) oversees the military tax programs offered worldwide. AFTC partners with the IRS to conduct outreach to military personnel and their families. This includes the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Military-based Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites staffed with IRS-trained volunteers provide free tax help and tax return preparation. Volunteers receive training on military tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits, filing extensions and special benefits that apply to the Earned Income Tax Credit. To receive free tax assistance, bring the following records to your military VITA site:

•  Valid photo identification

•  Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents, or a Social Security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

•  Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents

•  Wage and earning statement(s), such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R

•  Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099)

•  A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available

•  Checkbook for routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your tax refund

•  Total amount paid for day care and day care provider’s identifying number. This is usually an Employer Identification Number or Social Security number.

Other relevant information about income and expenses

If you are married filing a joint return and wish to file electronically, both you and your spouse should be present to sign the required forms. If both cannot be present, you usually must bring a valid power of attorney form along with you. You may use IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative for this purpose.

There is a special exception to this rule if your spouse is in a Combat Zone. The exception allows a spouse to prepare and e-file a joint return with a written statement stating the other spouse is in a combat zone and unable to sign. Also be sure to check out:

•  Tax Information for Members of the Military

•  Special Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Rules for the Military

Written by | Posted in TaxConnections