Scam Phone Calls Continue; IRS Identifies Five Easy Ways to Spot Suspicious Calls

Scam Phone Calls Continue; IRS Identifies Five Easy Ways to Spot   Suspicious Calls

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS.
These callers may demand money or may say you have a refund due and try to trick you into sharing private information. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. If you don’t answer, they often leave an “urgent” callback request.
“These telephone scams are being seen in every part of the country, and we urge people not to be deceived by these threatening phone calls,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “We have formal processes in place for people with tax issues. The IRS respects taxpayer rights, and these angry, shake-down calls are not how we do business.”
The IRS reminds people that they can know pretty easily when a supposed IRS caller is a fake. Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam. The IRS will never:
1. Call you about taxes you owe without first mailing you an official notice.
2. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
3. Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
5. Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:

• If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.
• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.
• If you’ve been targeted by this scam, also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint.

Remember, too, the IRS does not use email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. For more information on reporting tax scams, go to www.irs.gov and type “scam” in the search box.
Additional information about tax scams are available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube http://youtu.be/UHlxTX4rTRU?list=PL2A3E7A9BD8A8D41D. and Tumblr http://internalrevenueservice.tumblr.com where people can search “scam” to find all the scam-related posts.

Back-to-School Tax Credits

Back-to-School Tax Credits

Are you, your spouse or a dependent heading off to college? If so, here’s a quick tip from the IRS: some of the costs you pay for higher education can save you money at tax time. Here are several important facts you should know about education tax credits:  

• American Opportunity Tax Credit.  The AOTC can be up to $2,500 annually for an eligible student. This credit applies for the first four years of higher education. Forty percent of the AOTC is refundable. That means that you may be able to get up to $1,000 of the credit as a refund, even if you don’t owe any taxes.
• Lifetime Learning Credit.  With the LLC, you may be able to claim a tax credit of up to $2,000 on your federal tax return. There is no limit on the number of years you can claim this credit for an eligible student.
• One credit per student.  You can claim only one type of education credit per student on your federal tax return each year. If more than one student qualifies for a credit in the same year, you can claim a different credit for each student.  For example, you can claim the AOTC for one student and claim the LLC for the other student.
• Qualified expenses.  You may include qualified expenses to figure your credit.  This may include amounts you pay for tuition, fees and other related expenses for an eligible student. Refer to IRS.gov for more about the additional rules that apply to each credit.
• Eligible educational institutions.  Eligible schools are those that offer education beyond high school. This includes most colleges and universities. Vocational schools or other postsecondary schools may also qualify.
• Form 1098-T.  In most cases, you should receive Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, from your school. This form reports your qualified expenses to the IRS and to you. You may notice that the amount shown on the form is different than the amount you actually paid. That’s because some of your related costs may not appear on Form 1098-T. For example, the cost of your textbooks may not appear on the form, but you still may be able to claim your textbook costs as part of the credit. Remember, you can only claim an education credit for the qualified expenses that you paid in that same tax year.
• Nonresident alien.  If you are in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, you usually file your federal tax return as a nonresident alien. You can’t claim an education credit if you were a nonresident alien for any part of the tax year unless you elect to be treated as a resident alien for federal tax purposes. To learn more about these rules see Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.
• Income limits. These credits are subject to income limitations and may be reduced or eliminated, based on your income.

For more information, visit the Tax Benefits for Education Information Center on IRS.gov. Also, check Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. You can get it on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Additional IRS Resources:

• Education Credits – AOTC and LLC
• Education Credits: Questions and Answers
• Education Credits Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement (see instructions for student)
• Form 8863, Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits)
• Form 1040A, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
• Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

IRS YouTube Videos:

• Education Tax Credits – English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:
Education Tax Credits – English | Spanish

2012 Individual Income Tax Returns Complete Report (Publication 1304) Now Available

2012 Individual Income Tax Returns Complete Report (Publication 1304) Now Available

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the availability of Statistics of Income—2012, Individual Income Tax Returns Complete Report (Publication 1304). U.S. taxpayers filed 144.9 million individual income tax returns for tax year 2012, down 0.3 percent from 2011. The adjusted gross income less deficit reported on these returns totaled $9.1 trillion, which is an 8.7-percent increase from the prior year.
The report is based on a sample drawn from the 144.9 million individual income tax returns filed for tax year 2012 and provides estimates on sources of income, adjusted gross income, exemptions, deductions, taxable income, income tax, modified income tax, tax credits, self-employment tax, and tax payments.
Classifications include tax status, size of adjusted gross income, marital status, age, and type of tax computation. A brief text reviews the requirements for filing tax returns, explains the changes in tax law, and describes the sample used to produce the report. Publication 1304 is currently available for download at irs.gov/taxstats.
For more information about these data, please write to the Director, Statistics of Income Division, RAS:S, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, K-Room 4122, Washington, DC 20224.

Seven Good Reasons Why You Should Become a Tax Volunteer

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Seven Good Reasons Why You Should Become a Tax Volunteer

If you’re looking for a way to help others in your community, then think about becoming a tax volunteer. The IRS is looking for people who will provide free tax help next year.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax help across the country. Each year VITA and TCE volunteers prepare tax returns for free for people with low-to-moderate incomes. 

Here are seven good reasons why you should become a VITA or TCE volunteer.
1.    You don’t need prior experience. You’ll receive specialized training and can serve in a variety of roles. You can even help those who do not speak English if you are fluent in another language.

2.    The IRS provides free tax law training and materials. You’ll learn how to prepare basic tax returns and learn about tax deductions and credits that benefit eligible taxpayers. These include credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly.

3.    The volunteer hours are flexible. Volunteers generally serve an average of three to five hours per week. The programs are usually open from mid-January through the tax filing deadline in April. A few sites are open all year.

4.    VITA and TCE sites are located in communities throughout the nation. Sites are often set up in neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other similar places. The programs offer free tax preparation and free electronic filing for both federal and state tax returns.

5.    You can also help those who serve our country, because the IRS also needs volunteers to provide tax help to military personnel and their families.

6.    As a volunteer, you’ll join a program that’s helped millions of people file tax returns at no charge for more than 40 years. Your help will make a difference. It’s people helping people. It's that simple.

7.    Tax Professionals (Enrolled Agents and Other Tax Return Preparers) can earn Continuing Education Credits when volunteering as a VITA/TCE instructor, quality reviewer or tax return preparer. See the IRS fact sheet for more information on Continuing Education Credits.

To find out more, visit IRS.gov and type "tax volunteer" in the search box. If you are interested you will need to submit Form 14310, VITA/TCE Volunteer Sign Up, by email through the IRS website.


Additional IRS Resources:

• IRS Tax Volunteers
• IRS Free Tax Return Preparation Programs
• Link & Learn Taxes

Electronic Management System (EMS) Downtime for BATS in Memphis

Electronic Management System (EMS) Downtime for BATS in Memphis

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The Electronic Management System, located at Memphis, Tennessee will be unavailable for Business Acceptance Testing (BATS) beginning Friday, August 8, at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time until August 11, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time for maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Free Webcast about The Affordable Care

What: Free Webcast about The Affordable Care Act: How Applicable Large Employers Should Report Health Care Coverage under IRC Section 6056

When: August 14, 2014, Noon (Eastern)  

Learn about 

• Internal Revenue Code Section 6056 
• Who is required to report
• What elements are required to be reported
• When Applicable Large Employers must report
• How do government entities designate reporting

Register for this event. You will use the same link to attend the event.

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who you believe would be interested and value this educational opportunity.

If you have any questions about this presentation, please send us an e-mail.

Vacation Home Rentals

Vacation Home Rentals

If you rent a home to others, you usually must report the rental income on your tax return. But you may not have to report the income if the rental period is short and you also use the property as your home. In most cases, you can deduct the costs of renting your property. However, your deduction may be limited if you also use the property as your home. Here is some basic tax information that you should know if you rent out a vacation home:

• Vacation Home.  A vacation home can be a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home, boat or similar property.
• Schedule E.  You usually report rental income and rental expenses on Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss. Your rental income may also be subject to Net Investment Income Tax.
• Used as a Home.  If the property is “used as a home,” your rental expense deduction is limited. This means your deduction for rental expenses can’t be more than the rent you received. For more about these rules, see Publication 527, Residential Rental Property (Including Rental of Vacation Homes).
• Divide Expenses.  If you personally use your property and also rent it to others, special rules apply. You must divide your expenses between the rental use and the personal use. To figure how to divide your costs, you must compare the number of days for each type of use with the total days of use.
• Personal Use.  Personal use may include use by your family. It may also include use by any other property owners or their family. Use by anyone who pays less than a fair rental price is also personal use.
• Schedule A.  Report deductible expenses for personal use on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. These may include costs such as mortgage interest, property taxes and casualty losses.
• Rented Less than 15 Days.  If the property is “used as a home” and you rent it out fewer than 15 days per year, you do not have to report the rental income.
• Use IRS Free File.  If you still need to file your 2013 tax return, you can use IRS Free File to make filing easier. Free File is available until Oct. 15. If you make $58,000 or less, you can use brand-name tax software. If you earn more, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms. Free File is available only through the IRS.gov website.

Publication 527 is available on IRS.gov. You can also call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to get it by mail.

Additional IRS Resources:

• Tax Topic 415 - Renting Residential and Vacation Property
• Rental Income and Expenses - Real Estate Tax Tips

IRS YouTube Videos:

• Renting Your Vacation Home – English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

• Renting Your Vacation Home – English | Spanish

Reminder: Free Webcast from the office of Federal, State and Local Governments

Reminder: Free Webcast from the office of Federal, State and Local Governments

Topic: The Affordable Care Act’s Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions – What Government Employers Need to Know

Date: July 24, 2014

Time: 12 p.m. Eastern Time

Learn about the following topics pertaining to the Affordable Care Act:

• Defining an Applicable Large Employer

• Determining whether or not the entity is an Applicable Large Employer

• When and how the employer shared responsibility applies

• Forms of transition relief

To register: Click here. You will use the same link to attend the event.

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who you believe would be interested and value this educational opportunity.

IRS.gov has information about the health care law and its effect on your taxes

IRS.gov has information about the health care law and its effect on your taxes

There is a lot of information in the news and online about the health care law and its effect on your taxes. For the most current answers to questions you may have, visit IRS.gov/aca. http://www.irs.gov/uac/Affordable-Care-Act-Tax-Provisions-Home

From the individual shared responsibility provision to the definition of minimum essential coverage, the IRS website covers a wide range of health care topics and how they relate to your taxes.

The IRS knows that many taxpayers want to know how the health care law will affect them when filing their taxes next year. When questions come up, IRS.gov is a great place for taxpayers to begin finding the answers they need – when they need them.

This information is especially important for individuals because several provisions of the law went into effect this year, such as the premium tax credit and the requirement for individuals to have minimum essential coverage. The IRS will continue to post information that is relevant and helpful to you as you get ready to prepare and file your 2014 tax return.

At IRS.gov/aca, you’ll find frequently asked questions, legal guidance, and links to other useful sites. You can also access valuable information about specific topics, including the premium tax credit for individuals, rules and responsibilities for employers, as well as tax provisions for insurers, tax-exempt organizations and other businesses.

Aside from IRS.gov, we also post new guidance and information about the health care law on the official IRS Twitter,  Tumblr   and Facebook  accounts. You can also access a Web-based IRS flyer, Health Care Law Online Resources,  for links to other federal agencies that also have a role in the health care law.

More Information

Find out more about the tax-related provisions of the health care law at IRS.gov/aca.  

Find out more about the health care law at HealthCare.gov  

Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips to get easy-to-read tips via e-mail from the IRS.

Summer Weddings Mean Tax Changes

Summer Weddings Mean Tax Changes

Taxes may not be high on your summer wedding plan checklist. But you should be aware of the tax issues that come along with marriage. Here are some basic tips that can help keep those issues to a minimum:
Name change. The names and Social Security numbers on your tax return must match your Social Security Administration records. If you change your name, report it to the SSA. To do that, file Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. You can get the form on SSA.gov, by calling 800-772-1213 or from your local SSA office.
Change tax withholding.  A change in your marital status means you must give your employer a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. If you and your spouse both work, your combined incomes may move you into a higher tax bracket. Use the IRS Withholding Calculator tool at IRS.gov to help you complete a new Form W-4. See Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, for more information.
Changes in circumstances.  If you receive advance payment of the premium tax credit in 2014, it is important that you report changes in circumstances, such as changes in your income or family size, to your Health Insurance Marketplace. You should also notify the Marketplace when you move out of the area covered by your current Marketplace plan. Advance payments of the premium tax credit provide financial assistance to help you pay for the insurance you buy through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Reporting changes will help you get the proper type and amount of financial assistance so you can avoid getting too much or too little in advance.
Address change.  Let the IRS know if your address changes. To do that, file Form 8822, Change of Address, with the IRS. You should also notify the U.S. Postal Service. You can ask them online at USPS.com to forward your mail. You may also report the change at your local post office.
Change in filing status.  If you’re married as of Dec. 31, that’s your marital status for the whole year for tax purposes. You and your spouse can choose to file your federal income tax return either jointly or separately each year. You may want to figure the tax both ways to find out which status results in the lowest tax.
Note for same-sex married couples: If you are legally married in a state or country that recognizes same-sex marriage, you generally must file as married on your federal tax return. This is true even if you and your spouse later live in a state or country that does not recognize same-sex marriage. See irs.gov for more information on this topic.
For more information, visit IRS.gov. You can also get IRS forms and publications on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
IRS YouTube Videos:

• Getting Married? – English
• Premium Tax Credit – English | Spanish | ASL
• Changed Your Name After Marriage or Divorce? – English | Spanish | ASL
• IRS Withholding Calculator – English | Spanish | ASL
• Tax Information About Same-Sex Marriage – English | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

• Premium Tax Credit – English | Spanish
• Changed Your Name after Marriage or Divorce? – English | Spanish
• IRS Withholding Calculator – English | Spanish
• Tax Information About Same-Sex Marriage – English | Spanish

Unused ITINS to Expire After Five Years; New Uniform Policy Eases Burden on Taxpayers, Protects ITIN Integrity

Unused ITINS to Expire After Five Years; New Uniform Policy Eases Burden on Taxpayers, Protects ITIN Integrity

WASHINGTON — Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) will expire if not used on a federal income tax return for five consecutive years, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. To give all interested parties time to adjust and allow the IRS to reprogram its systems, the IRS will not begin deactivating ITINs until 2016.
The new, more uniform policy applies to any ITIN, regardless of when it was issued. Only about a quarter of the 21 million ITINs issued since the program began in 1996 are being used on tax returns. The new policy will ensure that anyone who legitimately uses an ITIN for tax purposes can continue to do so, while at the same time resulting in the likely eventual expiration of millions of unused ITINs.
Developed in consultation with taxpayers, their representatives and other stakeholders, the new policy replaces the existing one that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.
Under the old policy, announced in November 2012, ITINs issued after Jan. 1, 2013 would have automatically expired after five years, even if used properly and regularly by taxpayers. Though ITINs issued before 2013 were unaffected by that change, the IRS said at the time that it would explore options for deactivating or refreshing the information relating to these older ITINs.
ITINs play a critical role in the tax administration system and assist with the collection of taxes from foreign nationals, resident and nonresident aliens and others who have filing or payment obligations under U.S. law. Designed specifically for tax administration purposes, ITINs are only issued to people who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number.
Under the new policy:

• An ITIN will expire for any taxpayer who fails to file a federal income tax return for five consecutive tax years.
• Any ITIN will remain in effect as long as a taxpayer continues to file U.S. tax returns. This includes ITINs issued after Jan. 1, 2013. These taxpayers will no longer face mandatory expiration of their ITINs and the need to reapply starting in 2018, as was the case under the old policy.
• To ease the burden on taxpayers and give their representatives and other stakeholders time to adjust, the IRS will not begin deactivating unused ITINs until 2016. This grace period will allow anyone with a valid ITIN, regardless of when it was issued, to still file a valid return during the upcoming tax-filing season. 
• A taxpayer whose ITIN has been deactivated and needs to file a U.S. return can reapply using Form W-7. As with any ITIN application, original documents, such as passports, or copies of documents certified by the issuing agency must be submitted with the form. 

Further details, including information on how and when taxpayers with expired ITINs will be notified, will be posted on IRS.gov at a later date.

Tax Information for Students Who Take a Summer Job

Tax Information for Students Who Take a Summer Job

Many students take a job in the summer after school lets out. If it’s your first job it gives you a chance to learn about the working world. That includes taxes we pay to support the place where we live, our state and our nation. Here are eight things that students who take a summer job should know about taxes:
1. Don’t be surprised when your employer withholds taxes from your paychecks. That’s how you pay your taxes when you’re an employee. If you’re self-employed, you may have to pay estimated taxes directly to the IRS on certain dates during the year. This is how our pay-as-you-go tax system works.
2. As a new employee, you’ll need to fill out a Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate. Your employer will use it to figure how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay. The IRS Withholding Calculator tool on IRS.gov can help you fill out the form.
3. Keep in mind that all tip income is taxable. If you get tips, you must keep a daily log so you can report them. You must report $20 or more in cash tips in any one month to your employer. And you must report all of your yearly tips on your tax return.
4. Money you earn doing work for others is taxable. Some work you do may count as self-employment. This can include jobs like baby-sitting and lawn mowing. Keep good records of expenses related to your work. You may be able to deduct (subtract) those costs from your income on your tax return. A deduction may help lower your taxes.
5. If you’re in ROTC, your active duty pay, such as pay you get for summer camp, is taxable. A subsistence allowance you get while in advanced training isn’t taxable.
6. You may not earn enough from your summer job to owe income tax. But your employer usually must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from your pay. If you’re self-employed, you may have to pay them yourself. They count toward your coverage under the Social Security system.
7. If you’re a newspaper carrier or distributor, special rules apply. If you meet certain conditions, you’re considered self-employed. If you don’t meet those conditions and are under age 18, you are usually exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes.
8. You may not earn enough money from your summer job to be required to file a tax return. Even if that’s true, you may still want to file. For example, if your employer withheld income tax from your pay, you’ll have to file a return to get your taxes refunded. You can prepare and e-file your tax return for free using IRS Free File. It’s available exclusively on IRS.gov.
Visit IRS.gov for more about the tax rules for students.
Additional IRS Resources:
• Student's Page - High School
• Student's Page - Higher Education
IRS YouTube Videos:
• Part-Time and Summer Jobs – English
• IRS Withholding Calculator – English | Spanish | ASL
IRS Podcasts:

• IRS Withholding Calculator – English | Spanish

Options for Taxpayers Who Owe Taxes

If you owe taxes but can’t pay in full, the IRS has options for you. Most importantly, make sure you file your tax return and pay as much as you can. Then let the IRS help you choose your best option to pay. Here are some options to consider, even if you can’t pay the full amount right now:
• Borrow the money.  If you don’t have the money to pay all your taxes now, then you may want to get a loan from a bank or other source. The interest rate may be lower than the interest and penalties the IRS charges on late taxes. You also may be able to borrow against your assets or sell them to raise cash.
• Make an Online Payment Agreement.  If you are unable to pay in full, then consider paying over time. If you owe $50,000 or less, you can apply for an installment agreement. You may choose to make convenient monthly direct debit payments for up to 72 months. With this option, there are no checks to write or send. And you won’t miss a payment or pay late. The best way to apply is to use the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool on IRS.gov. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can apply by filing Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.
The IRS can also help if your tax debt is more than $50,000 or you need more than six years to pay. In these cases, the IRS may ask for further financial information. See Form 433-A or Form 433-F, Collection Information Statement.
• Use an Offer in Compromise as a last resort.  An Offer in Compromise is an agreement that allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount. Generally, the IRS will accept an offer if it represents the most the agency can expect to collect within a reasonable time. The IRS looks at several factors to make a decision on your offer. Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool on IRS.gov to see if you may be eligible for an OIC.
The IRS has also increased the amount that taxpayers owe before the IRS normally files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien. Find more information on these topics on IRS.gov.

Additional IRS Resources:

• Electronic Payment Options Home Page
• Tax Topic 202 - Tax Payment Options

IRS YouTube Videos:

• Online Payment Agreement – English | Spanish | ASL
• IRS Tax Payment Options – English | Spanish | ASL
• Owe Taxes But Can't Pay? – English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

• Online Payment Agreement – English | Spanish