8 free IRS tax tools

Forget the idea that a 1040EZ form is the only simple way to file taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and participating tax agencies have a virtual smorgasbord of free tools and programs available to help you get your taxes filed in a timely, efficient manner without having to pay hundreds of dollars for a tax professional to do it for you.

Weve compiled a list of eight free resources that can offer you support this tax season.

1. Taxpayer-advocate service

This service is free of charge and offers tips for filing your taxes, making payment plans, interacting with the IRS, amending a return and more. It also provides guidelines to help ensure you dont make a costly mistake. There is at least one Local Taxpayer Advocate in each state, and if you qualify to receive an advocates help, one will assist you with your taxing needs.

2. Free file

If your income was less than $60,000 in 2014, you can file your taxes online for free by using Free File. The free software walks you through each line of a return, helps you find tax breaks and electronically files your federal return. It can be a useful resource for those filing their taxes for the first time. You can still file for free if you earned more than $60,000, but in this case you will be using Free File Fillable Forms instead. It gives you electronic forms to fill out and doesnt walk you through each step like the former program does.

3. Get transcript

If you want to view information regarding the items from your tax return or your tax-account transactions, you can use the Get Transcript feature on the IRS website and receive a transcript via mail or directly online. A Tax Return Transcript will let you see most line items from your tax return, and a Tax Account Transcript gives you details on what type of return you filed, how much in taxes were paid and more.

4. Wheres my refund?

Once you filed your taxes and the IRS received your electronically filed tax return or paper return, you can check the status of your refund by accessing this feature via the IRS website or the mobile app, IRS2Go. For a electronically filed return, check the refund status within 24 hours after the IRS receives it. If you filed a paper tax return, wait about four weeks. The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days, and the site that tracks your refunds status only updates once every 24 hours.

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8 free IRS tax tools

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