IRS Has Video Help For Filing 2014 Returns

IRS Offers Videos to Help Taxpayers Preparing to File in 2014

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is offering taxpayers a number of instructional YouTube videos to help prepare their taxes for the upcoming filing season, which begins on Jan. 31.

Several options are available to help taxpayers prepare for the 2014 tax season and get their refunds as easily as possible. Many software companies are expected to begin accepting tax returns in January and hold those returns until the IRS systems open on Jan. 31. This includes the Free File partners that offer access to their software for free at irs.gov/Free File. The IRS will not process any tax returns before Jan. 31, so there is no advantage to filing on paper before the opening date. Taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by using e-file or Free File with the direct deposit option.

In addition, the IRS has short and informative YouTube videos on a number of tax-related topics in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). The channels have received nearly 6.5 million views:

• IRS Videos — http://www.youtube.com/irsvideos
• ASL Videos — http://www.youtube.com/IRSvideosASL
• Multilingual Videos —http://www.youtube.com/IRSvideosMultilingua

Specific videos that taxpayers may view to help them get ready over the coming weeks include:

• Do-It-Yourself Free Tax Preparation ─ Helps taxpayers find free help from certified volunteers to electronically file tax returns. Taxpayers interested in helping their own communities can also watch a video to learn aboutbecoming involved in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
• Do I Have to File a Tax Return? ─ Learn about the requirements for filing a tax return, including income limits and age, and why taxpayers may want to file even if they don't have to.
• How to Get 1040 Forms ─  Provides tips on the quickest way to get the various 1040 forms on IRS.gov.
• Tax Scams ─  Offers some tips on how to protect personal information and avoid becoming a tax scam victim.
• Record-keeping ─  Learn which financial and tax files to keep and how long to keep them.
• Changed Your Name After Marriage or Divorce? ─  Find out what you need to do if you have changed your name before you file your tax return.
• Choosing a Tax Preparer ─ Hear some useful tips for choosing a reputable tax preparer.

The IRS uses social media tools and platforms to share the latest information on tax changes, initiatives, products and services. These social media platforms include the IRS2Go phone application, YouTube, Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook. To protect taxpayer privacy, the IRS only uses social media tools to share public information, not to answer personal tax or account questions. It advises taxpayers to never post confidential information, like a Social Security number, on social media sites. A listing is available on IRS.gov.

Number of Tax Returns Filed With the IRS in 2013

The IRS stats are in for the filing season for 2012; prepared and filed in 2013.  The IRS received over 134 million tax returns. You will notice that more and more people are preparing their own taxes and e-filing from home. While this is great news for some taxpayers, its not so great for taxpayers who have a Schedule C, Schedule D, or Schedule E included in their tax return. 

 

The Schedule C, D and E can cause a drastic increase or decrease in a taxpayer's tax return, and should only be completed by a taxpayer IF they know exactly what they are doing. 

 

Because more and more Americans are filing their own tax returns, I published a new e-Book, The Hidden Tax Benefits in Schedule A, taxpayers can learn more about how to manage a Schedule A to your advantage.  See IRS stats below for the exact numbers on tax filings in 2013

 

More taxpayers e-file from home in 2013

 

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today provided updated statistics showing continued growth in electronic filing of tax returns. So far in 2013, more than 43 million people have self-prepared and e-filed their tax returns from home, an increase of more than 4 percent compared to the prior year.

Through May 10, the IRS received more than 43.6 million self-prepared e-file returns, up from 41.7 million a year earlier. E-filed returns from tax professionals increased slightly, reaching almost 70.4 million. In all, almost 114 million tax returns came in through e-file this year, up from 112.1 million at this point last year.

Other highlights from the new filing season statistics show:

• During 2013, the IRS issued more than 101 million refunds worth almost $268 billion.
• Almost 80 percent of refunds used direct deposit.
• More people are using IRS.gov to get answers, file their returns and resolve issues. So far in 2013, the IRS web site has been accessed more than 300 million times, up almost 25 percent compared to the same time last year.

 

 

2013 FILING SEASON STATISTICS
Cumulative statistics comparing 5/11/12 and 5/10/13
Individual Income Tax Returns:	2012		2013		% Change
Total Receipts	135,473,000		134,349,000		-0.8
Total Processed	130,261,000		129,674,000		-0.5
E-filing Receipts:
TOTAL	112,089,000		113,954,000		1.7
Tax Professionals	70,344,000		70,380,000		0.1
Self-prepared	41,745,000		43,574,000		4.4
Web Usage:
Visits to IRS.gov	255,269,615		318,408,842		24.7
Total Refunds:
Number	102,522,000		101,082,000		-1.4
Amount	$277.180	Billion	$267.946	Billion	-3.3
Average refund	$2,704		$2,651		-2.0
Direct Deposit Refunds:
Number	79,308,000		79,880,000		0.7
Amount	$231.656	Billion	$228.467	Billion	-1.4
Average refund	$2,921		$2,860		-2.1