{"id":63621,"date":"2024-03-25T14:17:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T21:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=63621"},"modified":"2024-03-25T14:17:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T21:17:10","slug":"whats-new-this-tax-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=63621","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s New This Tax Season?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_54 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_54\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span><a class=\"tdb-author-name\" href=\"https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/author\/selen-ozturk\/\">Selen Ozturk<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_55 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_55\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><i class=\"tdb-date-icon tdc-font-fa tdc-font-fa-calendar\"><\/i><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2024-03-25T11:24:42-07:00\">Mar 25, 2024<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_56 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_56\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>As Tax Day approaches, 2024 brings new ways to file online for free, get more help and claim refunds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_57 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_57\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"entry-thumb\" title=\"taxes\" src=\"https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes.png 1200w, https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes-150x81.png 150w, https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes-696x377.png 696w, https:\/\/ethnicmediaservices.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/taxes-1068x579.png 1068w\" alt=\"taxes\" width=\"1200\" height=\"650\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_58 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_58\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>As Tax Day approaches, 2024 brings new ways to file online for free, get more help and claim refunds.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparing for tax season<\/h2>\n<p>By the time tax season closes on April 15 \u2014 the last day to submit a return \u2014 the IRS expects to receive 146 million returns, and planning for it is \u201ca monumental task,\u201d said IRS Wage and Investment Division Deputy Commissioner Kevin Morehead at a Friday, March 22 Ethnic Media Services briefing.<\/p>\n<p>Taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 17 to file.<\/p>\n<p>Preparation for this season began early in 2023, and focused on implementing part of the $78 billion in funds to be used from the Inflation Reduction Act through 2031 by expanding helpline and on-site help center hours, reducing call wait times to three minutes or less and adding customer callback \u2014 \u201cthough we\u2019re not offering a lot of it right now, because we\u2019re answering calls so quickly,\u201d continued Morehead.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-video-replacer\" data-id=\"undefined\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"R_yeOxq5D54\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"widget2\" title=\"Filing Tax Returns Electronically Reduces Errors, Avoids Refund Delays\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R_yeOxq5D54?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"392\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kevin Morehead, Deputy Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, IRS, discusses the advantages of filing your taxes electronically.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The IRS began accepting 2023 tax returns on January 29. As of March 8, the IRS had received 62.8 million returns and processed 61.9 million, issuing nearly 43 million refunds totaling more than $135 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Those filing for an extension have until October 15 \u2014 \u201cbut remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free ways to pay<\/h2>\n<p>For those who haven\u2019t yet paid, \u201cmy best tip is to file electronically, and choose direct deposit if you\u2019re getting a refund,\u201d Morehead explained. \u201cWhy? Most taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit have no need to contact the IRS, because E-filing reduces errors that can delay refunds. Making these two choices alone avoids most of the challenges people face when filing or getting a refund.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Most people have several ways to E-file for free \u2014 and, for some as of this month, even directly.<\/p>\n<p>On March 12, the IRS launched a full-scale\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/directfile.irs.gov\/\">Direct File<\/a>\u00a0pilot program for eligible taxpayers in 12 states to file their returns for free, directly through the IRS. These states are Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.<\/p>\n<p>Direct File also has a live chat feature for tax help in English and Spanish.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-video-replacer\" data-id=\"undefined\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"pEMhlTpgOo8\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"widget4\" title=\"IRS Tax Assistance Centers Offer In person Help With Filing Returns\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pEMhlTpgOo8?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"392\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kevin Morehead, Deputy Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, IRS, shares details on IRS tax assistance centers, which offer help with filing tax returns.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Eligible taxpayers must \u201creport income from jobs that generate from a W-2, and can claim a standard deduction \u2014 and any deductions for educator expenses and student loan interest,\u201d said Morehead. \u201cThey also may be claiming an earned income tax credit, child tax credit or credit for other dependents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Direct filers typically get a refund in less than 21 days if they choose direct deposit. After submitting a federal return through Direct File, taxpayers in states with a state income tax \u2014 Arizona, California, Massachusetts and New York \u2014 will also be directed to the direct E-file page for their state return.<\/p>\n<p>Those who don\u2019t use Direct File have other free options.<\/p>\n<p>Taxpayers who made $79,000 or less in 2023 can also E-file through\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/freefilealliance.org\/\">Free File Alliance<\/a>, a group of commercial tax companies in partnership with the IRS. This year, the service is available through one partner,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/eztaxreturn.com\/\">ezTaxReturn.com<\/a>, in Spanish.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting help<\/h2>\n<p>Those who need help filing taxes also have a range of options.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, those making a low-to-moderate adjusted gross income \u2014 generally under $64,000 \u2014 are eligible for free tax help by IRS-certified volunteers through\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/individuals\/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers\">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance<\/a>, while those 60 years or older are eligible for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/individuals\/tax-counseling-for-the-elderly\">Tax Counseling for the Elderly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For military and some veteran households, The Department of Defense has\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militaryonesource.mil\/financial-legal\/taxes\/miltax-military-tax-services\/\">MilTax<\/a>, offering free preparation help and electronic filing software for federal income returns and up to three state income tax returns, with no income limit.<\/p>\n<p>Taxpayers looking for in-person aid can go to a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/help\/contact-your-local-irs-office\">Taxpayer Assistance Center<\/a>, many of which now have extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, alongside Saturday events where people can get help from IRS employees, make payments by check or money order, get help with identity theft, authenticate their identity, ask about account adjustments and get help interpreted in multiple languages.<\/p>\n<p>On the IRS website itself, help is translated into seven languages \u2014 Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Haitian Creole, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese \u2014 while a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/help\/languages\">resource page<\/a>\u00a0with more information about federal taxes is available in 21 languages.<\/p>\n<p>Those seeking paid help can sort certified preparers by area and qualifications through the IRS\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/tax-professionals\/choosing-a-tax-professional\">directory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnce a taxpayer files their return, they may want to know when they\u2019ll get their refund,\u201d said Morehead. \u201cWith millions of tax returns going out each week,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\">Where\u2019s My Refund<\/a>\u00a0remains the best way to check your status. The tool is available in English and in Spanish, and provides IRS confirmation of receiving a federal tax return, approval of the tax return and refund, and an issuing date of the approved refund. Information for returns from tax years 2023, 2022 and 2021 is also available.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoiding scams<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cIf we\u2019re talking about refunds, we need to address scammers that try to mislead taxpayers into believing that they\u2019re owed a refund,\u201d he continued. One new scheme involves a mailed cardboard envelope with an enclosed letter of \u201cnotice relating to your unclaimed refund,\u201d that includes the IRS masthead with contact information not belonging to the IRS.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-video-replacer\" data-id=\"undefined\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"Tvkp4-BW0JQ\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"widget6\" title=\"The Tax Scams Targeting Immigrants\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Tvkp4-BW0JQ?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"392\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kevin Morehead, Deputy Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, IRS, discusses the tax scams that target immigrants and explains how they can be spotted and avoided.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Taxpayers should also avoid \u201cghost preparers\u201d who don\u2019t sign tax returns in hopes of profiting by promising a big refund and charging fees based on its size.<\/p>\n<p>Recent immigrants in particular are targeted by aggressive phone calls where scammers impersonate IRS agents with fake names and identification numbers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVictims are told they owe money to the IRS, and it must be paid promptly through a gift card or wire transfer under threat of arrest or deportation, or suspension of a business or driver\u2019s license,\u201d said Morehead. \u201cTo trick them into sharing private information, scammers may tell them they have a refund due or leave an urgent callback request.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those suspecting tax fraud should remember that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message or social media, or ask for personal or financial information through these channels like scammers do.<\/p>\n<p>More information about recognizing and reporting various tax scams is available\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/tax-scamsconsumer-alerts\">through the IRS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnfortunately, tax scammers are always inventing new ways to trick people,\u201d said Morehead. \u201cBut success for us means improving the experience that taxpayers have with us, and we\u2019ve been successful. With these new services, we want to see that continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BySelen Ozturk Mar 25, 2024 As&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business","category-u-s-a"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=63621"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63622,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63621\/revisions\/63622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=63621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=63621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=63621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}