The IRS.gov website is a great resource for free tax help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our many online tools can help make it easier to file and pay your federal taxes. You can also learn about filing options, check the status of a refund, print tax forms and find out how to contact the IRS.

Here are twelve good reasons to visit IRS.gov this summer.

1. Use the Interactive Tax Assistant.  This tool is a tax law resource that covers a number of topics. The ITA is easy to use as it leads you through a series of questions and provides responses to your tax law inquiries.
2. Check your withholding.  Use the IRS Withholding Calculator tool to check if you’re on target with the amount withheld from your pay. This tool can help you decide if you need to give your employer a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate.
3. Check your refund status.  The Where’s My Refund? tool is a fast and easy way to check the status of your tax refund. Use the IRS2Go mobile app or click on the ‘Refund’ tab on IRS.gov.
4. Order a transcript.  Order your tax return transcript or tax account transcript online. You’ll receive it within 5 to 10 days.
5. Pay your taxes electronically.  Use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System to pay your taxes online or by phone. EFTPS is a free service.
6. Apply for a payment agreement.  The Online Payment Agreement tool allows you to apply for a payment agreement online if you owe $50,000 or less in taxes, interest and penalties.
7. Check out a charity.  Search for qualified charities using Exempt Organizations’ Select Check. This tool will tell you if an organization is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.
8. Check your homebuyer credit repayments.  Use the First Time Homebuyer Credit Lookup toolto get account information such as the total amount of your credit or your repayment amount.
9. Get forms and publications.  View, download and order federal tax forms and publicationsanytime, day or night.
10. Check your eligibility for an offer in compromise.  An OIC allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It’s an option if you can’t fully pay your taxes, or doing so creates a financial hardship. Use the OIC Pre-Qualifier tool to see if you may be eligible before you apply for one.
11. Get up-to-date tax news.  Get the latest tax information in the IRS Newsroom.
12. Explore career opportunities.  Learn about careers at the IRS. The IRS is seeking students, recent college graduates and experienced professionals for full-time career and seasonal positions.

The official IRS website address is IRS.gov. Don’t be fooled by sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations other than .gov.

If you’re a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the IRS wants you to know about the many tax benefits that may apply to you. Special tax rules apply to military members on active duty, including those serving in combat zones. These rules can help lower your federal taxes and make it easier to file your tax return.

Here are ten of those benefits:

1. Deadline Extensions.  Qualifying military members, including those who serve in a combat zone, can postpone some tax deadlines. This includes automatic extensions of time to file tax returns and pay taxes.
2. Combat Pay Exclusion.  If you serve in a combat zone, you can exclude certain combat pay from your income. You won’t need to show the exclusion on your tax return because qualified pay isn’t included in the wages reported on your Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Some service outside a combat zone also qualifies for this exclusion.
3. Earned Income Tax Credit.  You can choose to include nontaxable combat pay as earned income to figure your EITC. You would make this choice if it increases your credit. Even if you do, the combat pay remains nontaxable.
4. Moving Expense Deduction.  If you move due to a permanent change of station, you may be able to deduct some of your unreimbursed moving costs.
5. Uniform Deduction.  You can deduct the costs and upkeep of certain uniforms that regulations prohibit you from wearing while off duty. You must reduce your expenses by any reimbursement you receive for these costs.
6. Signing Joint Returns.  Both spouses normally must sign joint income tax returns. However, when one spouse is unavailable due to certain military duty or conditions, the other may, in some cases sign for both spouses, or will need a power of attorney to file a joint return.
7. Reservists’ Travel Deduction.  If you’re a member of the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves, you may deduct certain travel expenses on your tax return. You can deduct unreimbursed expenses for traveling more than 100 miles away from home to perform your reserve duties.
8. Nontaxable ROTC Allowances.   Educational and subsistence allowances paid to ROTC students participating in advanced training are not taxable. However, active duty pay – such as pay received during summer advanced camp – is taxable.
9. Civilian Life.  After leaving the military, you may be able to deduct certain job hunting expenses. Expenses may include travel, resume preparation fees and job placement agency fees. Moving expenses may also be deductible.
10. Tax Help.  Most military bases offer free tax preparation and filing assistance during the tax filing season. Some also offer free tax help after April 15.

You can learn more about these tax benefits in Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide. The booklet is available on IRS.gov or you can order it by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Additional IRS Resources:

• Tax Information for Members of the Military
• Extension of Deadlines — Combat Zone Service
• Special EITC Rules
• Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide
• Publication 521, Moving Expenses
• Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions

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