2017 Tax Season and Return Thread Vol. Tax Podcast Mixed In?

Relax. If it takes up to four months to turn it around, then it's completely out of your hands once you submit with or without planning ahead. The government is good for coming at you when they want their money though.
 
Mine got rejected :frown:

No idea what I did wrong...

Depending on what software you're using, you can go back and open the return. It will tell you what you need to fix (usually, the name and SSN mismatch is the culprit) and you will able to re-submit.
 
Mine is delayed... on the phone with the IRS now cuh 
tired.gif
 
United Way is doing FREE tax returns
http://www.unitedway.org/myfreetaxes/
This is known as the VITA program. I did this way back in 2009 when I was still in college. I used to park up at a local library and do peoples taxes for free that made under a certain threshold (looks like its $64k now). It is a good program usually only elderly people came to get their taxes done. This is 100% legit if you fit the criteria for them to work on your return.
 
They did the vita program at my school as well.
Really great way to help the community. We called up some banks to help them put the return in a savings account instead of just splurging. It was a successful event overall
 
I'm currently volunteering with the VITA program and it's been awesome to 1) learn the tax laws to a basic extent and 2) see money come back to your community via a tax return.


Will likely use the government's program to prep my taxes this year since I have access to it through VITA, but previously have always used TaxACT which is a great option for cheap.
 
Tax thread on Niketalk? Those are my 2 worlds colliding.

IRS Revenue Agent here. Anyone else on NT work for the service?
 
Vita was a great experience but extremely sombering seeing family of 4 getting by on 18-20k a year. Had a 70 year old man tell me his wife used to always take care of the taxes and she passed away the year before. The entire time he talked about her. Had to call IRS to set up a monthly payment plan cause one person could not afford to pay $300 taxes he owed.
 
Used freetaxusa for the first time. An hour after im done fed and state (CA) already accepted. Will be in my acct 7-14 days :pimp:
 
State came via mail 2day smh ‍♂️ on Valentines Day so you know how this is gonna play out [emoji]128557[/emoji]
 
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Does anyone know how to get a direct number to the IRS? I keep getting the automated number?
Are you a practioner? Or are you trying to call for yourself.

If you are trying to call for yourself and don't work in the field the best number to call is: 800-829-1040

If you are a CPA, EA, or Lawyer the best number to call is: 866-860-4259 if you are not one of those designations you will not be able to speak to the IRS with this number.
 
I hope folks know if you make less than 65K a year you can e-file your federal tax return for free ... and most of the big software packages are apart of that (ie: taxcut, HR Block, TurboTax, etc). You just need to go through the IRS link for efiling and select the provider: 

https://www.irs.gov/filing/e-file-options

Many states also offer free e-filing as well ... but again you will need to go directly through your state's tax/finance page. 
 
Does anyone know how to get a direct number to the IRS? I keep getting the automated number?
Are you a practioner? Or are you trying to call for yourself.

If you are trying to call for yourself and don't work in the field the best number to call is: 800-829-1040

If you are a CPA, EA, or Lawyer the best number to call is: 866-860-4259 if you are not one of those designations you will not be able to speak to the IRS with this number.

Good looking fam I found a direct number somewhat they helped solve my dilemma somewhat
 
I'm nervous AF now.

I'm supposedly getting back way more than I've been the last few years (~6x as much). Granted, I had someone do them for me, but I don't know a thing about filing taxes except the basic plug and chug via a free service.
 
To figure out about how many allowances you can adjust to, use the IRS calculator
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-withholding-calculator

Good info here. I just did mine and looks like I need to adjust mine. I'm currently single and do 3. I'll be adjusting to either 1 or 2 moving forward. Gave me an estimated refund of $800 if I do 1 so I may try 2 to see if I can break even.
I'm nervous AF now.

I'm supposedly getting back way more than I've been the last few years (~6x as much). Granted, I had someone do them for me, but I don't know a thing about filing taxes except the basic plug and chug via a free service.
Have you used the basic free calculator apps to give you an idea what to expect? Its not rocket science. Unless you itemize, most go with a standard deduction, which basically drops down your taxable income, which then shows that you are liable for a percentage of that income.

Why do so many people have tax 'people'? Not calling you out but I know so many who have basic w-2 and maybe one home, but most never itemize.

Back to the income part. Based on your income, and what the feds withhold, you get a very good basis right off the bat whether you may owe or may be getting a refund.

What is 6x as much? Are you making 6x as much? Maybe you kept your withholding allowances at zero? Do you have credits coming your way via children? There are many credits that lessen your tax liability, but rarely, are you getting free money. Something seems iffy.

Personally, I used to get back 1200 dollars. I upped my withholding allowances and now am only expected in the hundreds. If I had reverted or stayed at zero allowances, I may be due for $1600. Then if I have a kid or get married, I may be due for even more back. The turbotax mobile app(which is free to run through it all) gives you a solid breakdown of what you make, what your exemptions and deductions are, and what actually becomes your tax liability amount.

Even in the regular TT program (and likely other programs), you can change certain settings on the fly to see what would happen if say, you have a kid, or withheld $900 less, or say itemize, rather than use the standard ($6300) deduction. Nothing is set in stone until you go to that last "e-file" step. I've had many student loans that I thought would help but had no true influence. I still reported them. But its good to know that part of the $1200 was not student loans (but something else).
 
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@WallyHopp  you know why so  many people with basic tax returns have "tax people" lol . They get talked into the whole "I can get you back thousands if you let me do your taxes" or "Taxes are too hard for a regular person to do, let me do them for you for $400" .
 
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