 |
|
How should I file my tax return... using IRS e-file or IRS TeleFile?
|
| Although mailing tax
returns to the IRS remains the most popular filing method,
IRS e-file has, during
the past few tax years, become increasingly more popular. Last year 90
million tax returns were filed using IRS e-file. IRS
e-file
IRS e-file is faster, safer, and more accurate than mailing your
tax return to the IRS because with IRS e-file your tax return is transmitted over telephone lines or the
Internet directly to an IRS computer.
Some of the benefits of IRS
e-file are:
 | No mail loss - IRS verifies
receipt of your IRS e-file tax return; |
| Less processing time -
IRS e-file tax returns are processed
immediately by the IRS; |
| IRS e-file uses less paper - help save the ecology; |
| IRS e-file tax returns are more accurate
because they're computer calculated and e-filed with the IRS; |
| Faster IRS tax refunds - about 8 days. |
IRS
e-file is the best way to file your tax return.
To e-file your tax return right from this web site click
IRS TeleFile
The
IRS discontinued its TeleFile program effective August 17, 2005. TeleFile
allowed taxpayers to file Forms 1040EZ, 4868, and 941 by telephone.
IRS TeleFile is an interactive
IRS computer program that calculates your
tax and begins the e-filing process over the phone. The IRS automatically sends a special
IRS TeleFile
package to those who may be eligible to use it. Only those receiving the IRS
package can use IRS TeleFile. This tax year, many taxpayers who filed Form 1040EZ or by IRS TeleFile last tax year will
receive a special TeleFile tax package from the IRS that allows them to
TeleFile their tax
return. IRS TeleFile is easy, fast, and free. It's available 24 hours a day, with nothing to
mail in to the IRS.
The service is only available if you file
Form 1040EZ, get the IRS TeleFile tax
booklet (TEL-1) in the mail, and meet the following IRS qualifications:
| you still live at the same address printed on your
IRS TeleFile tax record; |
| you file your tax
return as single or married filing jointly; |
| you are under 65 years of age on
January 1, 2005; |
| you had taxable income only from wages, salaries, tips, taxable scholarship or fellowship
grants; unemployment compensation; interest (less than $1,500 and no withholding
tax deduction);
Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends (no withholding tax deduction); |
| have use of a Touch-Tone telephone. (For best results, don't use cordless or cellular
phones or phones with a key pad in the receiver.) |
You cannot use IRS TeleFile
to file your tax return if you:
| need to change your
tax return filing status, name, or address; |
| need to claim any dependents; |
| need to claim a
tax deduction(s) on your tax return for being over 65 or blind; |
| did not receive the
IRS TEL-1 tax booklet; |
| are filing the tax
return of a deceased taxpayer; |
| received any advance earned income
tax credit payments; |
| repaid any unemployment compensation in
2004. |
If you are eligible to use
IRS TeleFile, you should complete the information provided
in the IRS TeleFile tax booklet and then call the toll-free telephone number in the
IRS TeleFile tax booklet.
The interactive computer program will instruct you on how to use the touch-tone telephone
to fill in required tax information.
Note: Even if you use
IRS TeleFile, you will be required to mail any
tax that is owed to the IRS by April 15th.
|
|
 |
Related
tax information about IRS e-file and IRS TeleFile |
|
|
Electronic Filing
TeleFile
General Tax Questions |
|
IRS publications about IRS e-file and IRS TeleFile
For more information about IRS e-file refer to Tax
Topic 252, Electronic Filing. For more information on TeleFile refer to
Tax
Topic 255, TeleFile. Also see
IRS Publication 17, Your Federal
Income Tax. |
|
 |
|
 |
Ask Julian Block your IRS and tax questions! |
|
|
 |
If you can't find the answer to your IRS or tax question in our
web you can call former IRS Special Agent and one of the country's foremost tax attorneys, nationally syndicated columnist ("The Tax
Adviser") Julian Block. Julian is also the tax Editor of Mutual Funds Magazine, America's premier investment magazine. To
call Julian for a tax consultation click
here. |
|
|
|
|
