Claim your 2009 Income Tax refund check quickly!

The deadline for filing your 2009 Income Tax Refund is steadily approaching.

The IRS deadline for claiming 2009 Income Tax refund checks is April 15th, 2013. You will need to paper file your return by April 15th to claim your 2009 refund checks. This is for federal income tax refunds only.

"Refunds totaling just over $917 million may be waiting for an estimated 984,400 taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2009, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2009 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 15, 2013."

"By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2009. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2009, the credit is worth as much as $5,657. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds."

More details available at the IRS website. If you need assistance filing your 2009 Income Tax Return, contact Hot Springs Tax Services for help.

When to file your income taxes in 2013?

 When should you file your 2012 Income Tax Return?

The tax law sets deadlines for filing 2012 income tax returns. However, there is room to maneuver, and the time you choose to file depends on your personal situation. Here are some guidelines to help you decide on the best time for you to file your return. File early The filing season for 2012 income tax returns officially opened in end of January 2013 when the IRS began to accept electronically-filed returns. Most individuals do not file before the beginning of February in order to receive information returns, such as W-2s and 1099s, which are usually sent to taxpayers at the end of January; this information is needed to complete the return. There are some compelling reasons to file as early as possible, once the necessary information is available: • To receive a tax refund. If you overpaid your 2012 taxes, the longer you wait, the longer the government has the use of your money on an interest-free basis. Usually, you can expect to receive your refund within 72 hours after IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper return. However, the IRS has recently indicated that some refunds may be delayed a week or two due to security measures against fraud. • To apply a refund to 2012 IRA or HSA contributions. You can direct the IRS to transfer your refund directly to an IRA or Health Savings Account (HSA) for 2012, assuming you are eligible to make a contribution. If you want the refund to be used for a contribution that will be deducted on the 2012 income tax return, the return must be filed early enough to ensure that the transfer is complete before April 15, 2013, the deadline for a 2012 contribution. Use Form 8888 to indicate the account to which you want your refund transferred; you can split the refund into as many as three accounts. • To get the filing obligation behind you. Many taxpayers dread income tax filing, so the sooner they complete the task, the better off they feel. April 15 The deadline for filing the 2012 income tax return is April 15, 2013. The majority of taxpayers file by this date; it avoids the need to request a filing extension. Even if you normally might ask for an extension because you don’t get around to completing the return by this date, you may have to force yourself to do so in certain situations, such as: • Needing a completed tax return for financial aid purposes if you, your spouse, or your child is in or will attend college. • Needing a completed tax return if you want to refinance your mortgage. If, for any reason, you want more time, you have to request a filing extension by April 15. This is done on Form 4868. But beware: The extension only gives you more time to file the return, not to pay taxes owed. If you obtain a filing extension, pay as much of the tax you owe to minimize or avoid underpayment penalties. October 15 The final day to file your 2012 income tax return is Oct. 15, 2012, assuming you’ve received a filing extension. If you file after this date, you’ll owe late filing penalties. This date is also the last day to file electronically. If you miss the deadline, you’ll have to submit a paper return. There are no IRS indications or taxpayer anecdotes to show that filing by this date creates any additional audit exposure. So take advantage of this extra time to file if you need it for such reasons as: • Family problems. If there’s an illness, a move, or other personal issues distracting you, take the extra time—to October 15—to file the return. • Obtaining missing information. For example, if you’re an owner in an S corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, you may not receive until September 15 the Schedule K-1 indicating the share of income and expenses you claim on your return. • Funding a SEP retirement plan if you are self-employed.You may not have the cash before this date to make your contribution. Final thought: When in doubt about the best time to file your return, talk to a tax advisor in your area or online.

2012 Tax Refunds are coming in later and smaller than in past years

2012 Tax Refunds are coming in later and are much lower than in prior year for many individuals.

For many, IRS Income Tax refunds have been coming in much later this year compared to prior years. Also, the amounts have been so much lower in comparison leaving many families let-down. While the IRS isn't putting out numbers on how many refunds have been issued so far this tax season, refunds got off to a bit of a bumpy start this year. Blame it on a perfect storm of events: A late launch to the filing season, which started Jan. 30 – eight days later than usual – due to last-minute, "fiscal cliff" tax changes enacted by Congress; the inability of taxpayers to file for some credits until early March; and more diligent – but time-consuming – scrutiny of tax returns, part of the IRS' beefed-up efforts to thwart identity theft and tax refund fraud.

 Even Wal-Mart said it's felt the impact of later-than-usual refunds. By this time last year, the giant retailer had cashed about $3 billion worth of checks related to tax refunds. This year, that amount is just $1.7 billion, the company said Thursday.

 We at, Hot Springs Tax Services, have noticed that things are looking up. Many individuals are getting their returns back much faster. The only individuals that still are dealing with slower processing are the people using education credits such as hope and american opportunity credit. In 2012, the IRS said, nine out of 10 refunds were issued in less than 21 days. "The same results are expected in 2013," said IRS spokesman Richard Panick in an email. Refunds have especially been slower for many lower-income taxpayers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. For single head of household filers with two young children, that refundable credit could mean $7,039 in their pocket. It's the most significant financial event for them for the year. And now it's all up in the air. They don't know when they'll get their refund.  

Where's my refund?

  In recent weeks, so many taxpayers were using the IRS online tool, "Where's My Refund," the IRS actually had to issue a plea: Don't check it more than once a day.  

 Once you've filed a federal tax return, the popular IRS.gov tool lets you track your refund's progress: when the return was received, when a refund was approved and sent out. But in mid-February, so many people were clicking "Where's My Refund?" the system jammed up. The online tool is only updated every 24 hours, the IRS noted, so repeated attempts to check online or from a smartphone won't yield any new information. 

"A taxpayer's account isn't likely to change that often, so there's no need to check more than once a day," said Panick. And nights or weekends, when the IRS site's traffic slows down, are the best times to check your refund's status, he added. With an e-filed return, you can check within the first 24 hours after it's filed. With a paper return, check four weeks after you mailed it.  

Avoid refund delays

  One of the best ways to avoid refund delays: submit an "error-free" tax return. And we're not necessarily talking about math mistakes. 

To avoid processing delays, the IRS reminds taxpayers to:
 • Verify the Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and dependents.
 • Be sure your mailing address is correct. (Every year, thousands of refunds get returned as "undeliverable" by the U.S. Post Office because taxpayers either moved or provided an incorrect address.)
 • Double-check your bank routing numbers if requesting direct deposit.  

Speeding up refunds

The quickest way to collect your tax refund is by requesting "direct deposit" when filing. It goes straight into your checking or savings account.  

On other tax fronts

  The IRS said most taxpayers should have received their W2s and 1099s by mid-February. If you're still waiting, contact your employer or issuer; or call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 if you can't get a replacement.   

The IRS is predicting that the number of tax returns filed this year will go up about 1.6 percent. In 2012, the average tax refund was $2,803.


  HANDY IRS INFORMATION

 • For basic tax questions: call (800) 829-1040 or use the IRS website: www.irs.gov.
 • Free tax-filing help: Seniors and moderate-income taxpayers can use Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites. Search for a VITA site by ZIP code: http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/, or call (800) 906-9887.
 • To check your refund: Use the IRS website's "Where's My Refund?" tool or download the "IRS2Go" mobile app. Or call (800) 829-1040. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status and refund amount from the return. 
• Fastest way to a refund: Use direct deposit when filing and submit an error-free return.
 • A reminder: Some IRS forms cannot be filed until early March, including mortgage interest, electric vehicles and residential energy tax credits.


  SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL HELP Hire a professional accountant to help with your small business needs. Contact us today.

IRS To Accept Tax Returns with Education Credits, Depreciation Next Week

IRS will finally start accepting education credits such as American Opportunity and Hope. Here is the full story:

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers will be able to start filing two major tax forms next week covering education credits and depreciation. Starting Sunday, Feb. 10, the IRS will start processing tax returns that contain Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization. And on Thursday, Feb. 14, the IRS plans to start processing Form 8863, Education Credits. This step clears the way for almost all taxpayers to start filing their tax returns for 2012. These forms affected the largest groups of taxpayers who weren’t able to file following the Jan. 30 opening of the 2013 tax season. The IRS will be able to accept the education credits and depreciation forms following the completion of reprogramming and testing of its systems.  Work continues on preparing IRS systems to accept the remaining tax forms affected by the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) enacted by Congress on Jan. 2. The IRS also announced today it will start accepting the remaining forms affected by the January legislation the first week of March.  A specific date will be announced later. Most of those in this group file more complex tax returns and typically file closer to the deadline or obtain an extension. A full list of the forms that will be accepted the first week of March is available on IRS.gov. Next week’s opening covers two groups of taxpayers using:

• Form 8863, Education Credits. Form 8863 is used to claim two higher education credits -- the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

• Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization. Most of the people using the depreciation form tend to file later in the tax season or obtain a six-month extension. Non-1040 business filers using Form 4562 can also file starting Sunday.

For taxpayers using e-file, most software companies are now accepting tax returns with these two forms and will submit them after the IRS begins accepting them next week. More information is available on this website.

E-File your 2012 Income Tax Today for an Early Refund!

E-File your 2012 Income Tax today to get your refund back early!

The I.R.S will begin processing returns this Wednesday. File now to get your return back by as early as February 7th!

We offer low-cost tax preparation and e-file services to you. File your taxes with us and get the guaranteed maximum federal and state return today.

Have a real accountant look over your taxes and help you make important financial decisions.

Contact us today to setup an appointment.

Late Start for I.R.S. 2012 Income Tax Processing

Bad news coming out of the IRS today. The IRS will not start processing 2012 Income Tax Returns until January 30th, 2013.

Here is the article from the IRS:

IRS Plans Jan. 30 Tax Season Opening For 1040 Filers

IR-2013-2, Jan. 8, 2013
WASHINGTON — Following the January tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA), the Internal Revenue Service announced today it plans to open the 2013 filing season and begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 30.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on that date after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its processing systems. This will reflect the bulk of the late tax law changes enacted Jan. 2. The announcement means that the vast majority of tax filers — more than 120 million households — should be able to start filing tax returns starting Jan 30.
The IRS estimates that remaining households will be able to start filing in late February or into March because of the need for more extensive form and processing systems changes. This group includes people claiming residential energy credits, depreciation of property or general business credits. Most of those in this group file more complex tax returns and typically file closer to the April 15 deadline or obtain an extension.
“We have worked hard to open tax season as soon as possible,” IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller said. “This date ensures we have the time we need to update and test our processing systems.”
The IRS will not process paper tax returns before the anticipated Jan. 30 opening date. There is no advantage to filing on paper before the opening date, and taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by using e-file with direct deposit.
“The best option for taxpayers is to file electronically,” Miller said.
The opening of the filing season follows passage by Congress of an extensive set of tax changes in ATRA on Jan. 1, 2013, with many affecting tax returns for 2012. While the IRS worked to anticipate the late tax law changes as much as possible, the final law required that the IRS update forms and instructions as well as make critical processing system adjustments before it can begin accepting tax returns.
The IRS originally planned to open electronic filing this year on Jan. 22; more than 80 percent of taxpayers filed electronically last year.
Who Can File Starting Jan. 30?
The IRS anticipates that the vast majority of all taxpayers can file starting Jan. 30, regardless of whether they file electronically or on paper. The IRS will be able to accept tax returns affected by the late Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch as well as the three major “extender” provisions for people claiming the state and local sales tax deduction, higher education tuition and fees deduction and educator expenses deduction.
Who Can’t File Until Later?
There are several forms affected by the late legislation that require more extensive programming and testing of IRS systems. The IRS hopes to begin accepting tax returns including these tax forms between late February and into March; a specific date will be announced in the near future.
The key forms that require more extensive programming changes include Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits), Form 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization) and Form 3800 (General Business Credit). A full listing of the forms that won’t be accepted until later is available on IRS.gov.
As part of this effort, the IRS will be working closely with the tax software industry and tax professional community to minimize delays and ensure as smooth a tax season as possible under the circumstances.
Updated information will be posted on IRS.gov.

More information here.

Hot Springs Arkansas Tax Preparation FAQ

Question: Can the tax preparation fee be taken out of my return or do I need to pay for the service upfront?

Both. We can either accept payment when filing or can have the payment deducted from your return.

Question: When is the first day that we can file an income tax return in 2013?

It really depends on the forms you will need. The I.R.S. has given dates for some forms and other forms are expected to be out around the same time.

Federal Forms  
Form 1040A  Individual Tax Return01/10/2013
Form 2441  Child & Dependent Care Expenses01/10/2013  
Schedule 8812  Child Tax Credit01/10/2013  
Schedule EIC  Earned Income Credit01/03/2013

So from reading this, it can be said that the 10th of January will be the first day that we will be able to efile your income tax forms.

Question: When will my return be direct deposited or a check mailed to me if I efile?

The I.R.S. hasn't given out much detail about their schedule but we have used prior years I.R.S. Tax Calendar and modified it using the information that we have received from the I.R.S. so far. To view the I.R.S. 2013 Income Tax Payment Schedule, click here.

Question: How much will I get back from my return?

That is entirely dependent on your personal factors including your income and tax payments for 2012. You're personal situation can also affect this great. HR Block created a great tool for getting an estimate of your tax refund. It is simple, so if you have more advanced taxes, it is most likely incorrect. You can calculate your 2012 Income Tax Return by clicking here.

Question: How do I signup or become a client of Hot Springs Tax Services?

We consider your privacy to be our #1 priority, so we only accept new clients via phone call and in person. This way we can very the individual and avoid any chance of fraud. Feel free to contact us via email to set up consultation or give us a call.

If we missed your question, feel free to comment and we will get it posted up!

Thanks for your time.

Have a great day!

-Hot Springs Tax Services Staff