Publication 530 - Tax Information For Homeowners

•

Internet. You can access the IRS web-

TeleTax topics. Call 1-800-829-4477 to lis-

How To Get Tax Help

site at

24 hours a day, 7

ten to pre-recorded messages covering

days a week to:

various tax topics.

•

You can get help with unresolved tax issues,

Refund information. To check the status of

order free publications and forms, ask tax ques-

your 2008 refund, call 1-800-829-1954

•

E-file your return. Find out about commer-

tions, and get information from the IRS in sev-

during business hours or 1-800-829-4477

cial tax preparation and e-file services

eral ways. By selecting the method that is best

(automated refund information 24 hours a

available free to eligible taxpayers.

for you, you will have quick and easy access to

day, 7 days a week). Wait at least 72

•

tax help.

Check the status of your 2008 refund. Go

hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt

of your e-filed return, or 3 to 4 weeks after

and click on Where’s My

Contacting your Taxpayer Advocate. The

mailing a paper return. If you filed Form

Refund. Wait at least 72 hours after the

Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an inde-

8379 with your return, wait 14 weeks (11

IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed

pendent organization within the IRS whose em-

weeks if you filed electronically). Have

return, or 3 to 4 weeks after mailing a

ployees assist taxpayers who are experiencing

your 2008 tax return available so you can

paper return. If you filed Form 8379 with

economic harm, who are seeking help in resolv-

provide your social security number, your

your return, wait 14 weeks (11 weeks if

ing tax problems that have not been resolved

filing status, and the exact whole dollar

you filed electronically). Have your 2008

through normal channels, or who believe that an

amount of your refund. Refunds are sent

tax return available so you can provide

IRS system or procedure is not working as it

out weekly on Fridays. If you check the

your social security number, your filing

should.

status of your refund and are not given the

status, and the exact whole dollar amount

You can contact the TAS by calling the TAS

date it will be issued, please wait until the

of your refund.

toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or

next week before checking back.

•

Download forms, instructions, and publica-

TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059 to see if you are eligi-

•

Other refund information. To check the

tions.

ble for assistance. You can also call or write your

status of a prior year refund or amended

•

local taxpayer advocate, whose phone number

Order IRS products online.

return refund, call 1-800-829-1954.

and address are listed in your local telephone

•

Research your tax questions online.

directory and in Publication 1546, Taxpayer Ad-

Evaluating the quality of our telephone

•

vocate Service — Your Voice at the IRS. You

Search publications online by topic or

services. To ensure IRS representatives give

can file Form 911, Request for Taxpayer Advo-

keyword.

accurate, courteous, and professional answers,

cate Service Assistance (And Application for

•

we use several methods to evaluate the quality

View Internal Revenue Bulletins (IRBs)

Taxpayer Assistance Order), or ask an IRS em-

of our telephone services. One method is for a

published in the last few years.

ployee to complete it on your behalf. For more

second IRS representative to listen in on or

•

information, go to /advocate.

Figure your withholding allowances using

record random telephone calls. Another is to ask

the withholding calculator online at

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs).

some callers to complete a short survey at the

/individuals.

LITCs are independent organizations that pro-

end of the call.

vide low income taxpayers with representation

•

Determine if Form 6251 must be filed by

Walk-in. Many products and services

in federal tax controversies with the IRS for free

using our Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

are available on a walk-in basis.

or for a nominal charge. The clinics also provide

Assistant.

tax education and outreach for taxpayers who

•

speak English as a second language. Publica-

news by email.

tion 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List,

•

Products. You can walk in to many post

provides information on clinics in your area. It is

•

Get information on starting and operating

offices, libraries, and IRS offices to pick up

available at

or your local IRS office.

a small business.

certain forms, instructions, and publica-

tions. Some IRS offices, libraries, grocery

Free tax services. To find out what services

stores, copy centers, city and county gov-

are available, get Publication 910, IRS Guide to

Phone. Many services are available by

ernment offices, credit unions, and office

Free Tax Services. It contains lists of free tax

phone.

supply stores have a collection of products

information sources, including publications,

available to print from a CD or photocopy

services, and free tax education and assistance

from reproducible proofs. Also, some IRS

programs. It also has an index of over 100

offices and libraries have the Internal Rev-

TeleTax topics (recorded tax information) you

•

Ordering forms, instructions, and publica-

enue Code, regulations, Internal Revenue

can listen to on your telephone.

tions. Call 1-800-829-3676 to order cur-

Bulletins, and Cumulative Bulletins avail-

Accessible versions of IRS published prod-

rent-year forms, instructions, and

able for research purposes.

ucts are available on request in a variety of

publications, and prior-year forms and in-

alternative formats for people with disabilities.

•

Services. You can walk in to your local

structions. You should receive your order

Taxpayer Assistance Center every busi-

within 10 days.

Free help with your return. Free help in pre-

ness day for personal, face-to-face tax

•

paring your return is available nationwide from

Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with

help. An employee can explain IRS letters,

IRS-trained volunteers. The Volunteer Income

your tax questions at 1-800-829-1040.

request adjustments to your tax account,

Tax Assistance (VITA) program is designed to

or help you set up a payment plan. If you

•

Solving problems. You can get

help low-income taxpayers and the Tax Coun-

need to resolve a tax problem, have ques-

face-to-face help solving tax problems

seling for the Elderly (TCE) program is designed

tions about how the tax law applies to your

every business day in IRS Taxpayer As-

to assist taxpayers age 60 and older with their

individual tax return, or you are more com-

sistance Centers. An employee can ex-

tax returns. Many VITA sites offer free electronic

fortable talking with someone in person,

plain IRS letters, request adjustments to

filing and all volunteers will let you know about

visit your local Taxpayer Assistance

your account, or help you set up a pay-

credits and deductions you may be entitled to

Center where you can spread out your

ment plan. Call your local Taxpayer Assis-

claim. To find the nearest VITA or TCE site, call

records and talk with an IRS representa-

tance Center for an appointment. To find

1-800-829-1040.

tive face-to-face. No appointment is nec-

the number, go to

As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the

essary — just walk in. If you prefer, you

/localcontacts

or look in the

Tax-Aide counseling program. To find the near-

can call your local Center and leave a

phone book under United States Govern-

est AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or

message requesting an appointment to re-

ment, Internal Revenue Service.

visit AARP’s website at

solve a tax account issue. A representa-

•

TTY/TDD equipment. If you have access

tive will call you back within 2 business

For more information on these programs, go

to TTY/TDD equipment, call

days to schedule an in-person appoint-

and enter keyword “VITA” in the

1-800-829-4059 to ask tax questions or to

ment at your convenience. If you have an

upper right-hand corner.

order forms and publications.

ongoing, complex tax account problem or

Publication 530 (2008)

Page 13

Publication 530 - Tax Information For Homeowners - 2008 Page 13

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories