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IRS Tax Tip 2014-14: IRS Tax Help ‘en Español’
IRS Tax Tip 2014-14, February 14, 2014
Tax information can be tough to understand, especially if it’s not in your first language. The IRS offers many free and easy-to-use products for taxpayers who speak Spanish. Here are eleven tips if you need federal tax help in Spanish.
- Get answers 24/7. IRS.gov/espanol has a wealth of tax information for individuals and businesses. You can check the status of your tax refund through the online tool “¿Dónde está mi reembolso?” Use the Asistente EITC tool to check if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The credit is available to many people who earned less than $51,567 in 2013.
- Use Free File to e-file your taxes. IRS Free File offers free tax preparation and e-file options for all taxpayers. If your 2013 income was $58,000 or less, you qualify to use free tax software. If your income was higher or you feel comfortable preparing your own taxes, there’s Free File Fillable Forms. This program uses the electronic versions of IRS paper forms. Visit IRS.gov/freefile and select ‘En Español’ to see your options.
- You may qualify for free tax return preparation by a volunteer. The VITA program generally offers free tax return preparation to people who earn $52,000 or less. The TCE program offers help mainly to people age 60 or older and specializes in tax issues unique to seniors. Returns are prepared and e-filed by certified volunteers. Visit ‘Voluntarios proveen ayuda gratuita con la preparación de su declaración de impuestos.’
- Try IRS e-file. Whether you use Free File, purchase tax software or pay a tax preparer, you should e-file your tax return. IRS e-file is safe, easy and the most common way to file a tax return. The IRS has processed over 1.2 billion e-filed returns. If you owe taxes, you can e-file early and pay by the April 15 tax deadline. Visit IRS.gov/espanol and select ‘Opciones Electrónicas’ to use this service.
- Get up-to-date at the Multimedia Center. Watch YouTube video tax tips and listen to IRS podcasts in Spanish and English. Enter the keywords “Centro Multimediático” in the search box at IRS.gov.
- Use TeleTax for refund and tax information. TeleTax is a toll-free, automated phone service. You can track your tax refund or listen to helpful pre-recorded messages on more than 125 tax topics. If you call to check on your refund, have a copy of your tax return handy. You can find the list of TeleTax topics in Spanish and English in the instructions for Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. TeleTax is available 24/7 at 800-829-4477.
- Get tax forms and publications. You can visit IRS.gov/espanol to get several tax forms and publications in Spanish.
- Visit the IRS Spanish newsroom. You’ll see the IRS’s most recent announcements, tax tips and information. Avoid missing any benefits and keep up to date by typing “Noticias en Espanol” in the search box at IRS.gov.
- Stay connected through Twitter en Español. Get all the latest tax information and helpful tax tips in Spanish by following the IRS Spanish Twitter Account @IRSenEspanol.
- Call the IRS for free tax help in Spanish. IRS.gov can help most people online with their tax needs. But if you prefer to talk with someone at the IRS, you can call toll-free. Call 800-829-1040and then press the number 8 to talk with a representative who speaks Spanish.
- Get multilingual help at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. If you think you need help in person, visit an IRS office. The IRS helps visitors in more than 150 languages, including Spanish, either in person or by phone through an interpreter. Go to IRS.gov to check office locations, hours and available services. Just click on ‘Help & Resources’ and then on ‘Contact Your Local IRS Office.’
Additional IRS Resources:
- El IRS en Espanol
- ¿Dónde está mi reembolso?
- Asistente EITC
- Free File: Presente su Declaración Federal de Impuestos gratuitamente
- Información sobre el servicio e-file del IRS
IRS YouTube Videos:
- IRS Information Available in Spanish – English | Spanish | ASL
- All About IRS.gov – English | Spanish | ASL
- File Your 1040EZ Using Free File – English | Spanish | ASL
- How to Get 1040 Forms – English | Spanish | ASL
- Earned Income Tax Credit – English | Spanish
IRS Podcasts:
- IRS Information Available in Spanish – English | Spanish
- File Your 1040EZ Using Free File – English | Spanish
- How to Get 1040 Forms – English | Spanish
- Earned Income Tax Credit – English
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 10-Feb-2014
IRS Special Edition Tax Tip 2014-07: IRS Offers Options to Avoid the President’s Day Rush
The President’s Day Holiday is one of the busiest times for IRS phone lines. But you can avoid the wait. The IRS has easy options to find the answers you need. To save time, taxpayers should make IRS.gov their first stop. Here are some of the most common taxpayer questions and quick ways to get the answers 24/7.
- What is the status of my refund? The IRS will issue most refunds in less than 21 days. You can easily check the status of your refund by using Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov or the newly updated smartphone app, IRS2Go. You’ll need certain information from your tax return to get the status of your refund. We update the Information once a day, so there’s no need to check more often than that.
- What if I didn’t get a Form W-2? Employers are required to send to their employees a Form W-2, Statement of Earnings, by January 31. If you don’t get a form W-2 by mid-February, you should first contact your employer to make sure they have your correct address on file. After exhausting all options with your employer, you may contact the IRS and we will send a letter to the employer. However, we ask that you call after Presidents Day week to avoid long telephone wait times.
- Can I get a copy of my tax return or transcript? You can easily order a copy of a return or transcript on the IRS.gov website, on our IRS2Go smartphone app or by mailing us a completed Form 4506-T.
- What if I can’t pay my tax bill? If you owe taxes but can’t pay, use the Online Payment Agreement tool. It can help you determine in a matter of minutes whether you qualify for an installment agreement with the IRS. There is also an Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier for those whose tax obligations are more serious. This tool helps determine if you qualify for an agreement with the IRS to settle your tax liability for less than the full amount owed.
- Where can I get help preparing my taxes? Try the IRS Free File program. You get to choose brand name software to e-file your taxes for free. Also, there are free tax preparation sites available nationwide from IRS-certified volunteers . Find a location nearby by searching “Free Tax Help” on IRS.gov. Certain income limitations apply.
- What if I have tax law questions? If you are wondering whether to file a tax return or who to claim as a dependent, start by typing a simple keyword search on IRS.gov. You can also usePublication 17, the annual, searchable income tax guide. Or try the IRS Tax Map, where you can search by topic or keyword to get tax information. Taxpayers can even call TeleTax at 1-800-829-4477 for a recording of information on a variety of general and business tax topics.
IRS YouTube Videos:
Stacie's Tax Stuff 