IRS (When NOT to contact)

Income taxes, tax forms, and other income tax based issues are confusing. In fact, this is the reason most people contact and use an accountant for their tax needs. For those who do not have access to an account or who have quarterly taxes, questions may come up during awkward times. You may also have questions you think the IRS could handle easily. Though you can contact them through their toll free number, the question is, should you? Here are the cases when not to contact the IRS.

Ordering Forms

You may be missing a form for a new job, new client, or for a new employee. Tax forms may also be missing from your yearly or quarterly tax filing. You do not need to contact the IRS for these forms. They are available from your local public library, online from the IRS website, and from tax preparation services.

Checking on the Status of a Return

In the past, the IRS phone lines were overrun with people checking on the status of their returns. Now you do not need to contact the IRS for this update. You can find out the status of your return by going to the IRS website. The Where is My Refund automated system will take you through the steps to finding current information on your tax return. You can also use the service to find out about previous returns, if checks have been sent out, or if the return was accepted.

Setting up Payment Arrangements

If you have outstanding taxes from previous years, or the current tax year, you may find payment arrangements are in order. If that is the case, you do no need to contact an IRS professional directly. There are several ways you can set up payment arrangements and make your first payment. The main method, and most popular, is to go online to the IRS site. The site offers a way to pay your taxes, make payment arrangements, and arrange monthly payments. The site will also give you an address and information for sending in your payment or setting up automated payments from your checking or savings account.

Changing a Filing Status

There are several life changes that will effect your income tax filing status. One of these changes is marriage. The other changes are divorce, death, legal separation, and the addition of children. Though these change the filing status, you will not need to contact the IRS directly. You may wait to change your status until you file your income tax returns, this will notify the IRS of the change. If the change happens earlier in the year, you can file a new tax form with your employer to change the number of withholdings and current status.

Contacting the IRS is still an available option. Talking to an agent, however, is not as necessary as you may think. With the use of automated telephone services, online forms, and online options you can now contact the IRS without directly contacting them. You will still receive the answers to your questions, forms that you need, and information you need to accommodate your tax issues.