Category Archives: IRS Tax Tips and Alerts

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How to choose tax preparers?

Whether we like it or not, tax laws and filing formalities these days are never as simple as filing through words. It is very likely that we overlook figures we are entitled to. At the end of it all, individual filing will let you stand with more questions than answers. In such a case, filing your Form 2290 online with an IRS authorized software provider like tax2290.com with complete end-end assistance for e-filing would do great. If you don’t have time or the patience even for that, there are always tax professionals to tie up with who prepare tax returns and file them up for you, for some fee. Tax preparation may be done by a licensed professional such as an attorney, certified public accountant or enrolled agent, or by an unlicensed tax preparation business. Since you are responsible for what’s on your return even though you file it through a tax professional, you have to be wise in choosing the right one. IRS suggests a few factors that would help make such wise decisions.

Qualification of the preparer: Make sure they have their mandatory TPIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) and have met the minimum competency requirements.

Preparer’s history: Check for any disciplinary actions and licensure status.

Service Fee: Your refund is yours. Do not rely on preparers who base their fee on your refund.

Electronic filing: Verify if they practice the safe and secure electronic filing of your returns. It is mandatory for them to file online through IRS authorized service providers like tax2290.com, while filing for 10 or more returns, unless told otherwise by clients.

Tax professional’s accessibility: You should be able to contact your tax preparer after the return has been filed, in case of any issues.

Never sign a blank return: Do not proceed with preparers who ask you to sign blank tax forms.

Review the returns before signing: Review the filled forms, raise questions and become clear as to what’s happening around the form, check for accuracy and sign once you are comfortable.

Preparer’s signature: As per law, the preparer should sign the return and include their PTIN. You are responsible thereafter, so verify accuracy.

After all this if you successfully decide upon some tax professional’s name to carry forward your return filing, suggest them tax2290.com so that you and your tax preparer mutually enjoy a convenient e-file process on-line. For any detailed queries you have on E-filing your Excise taxes reach us at 866-245-3918 or simply email us to support@taxexcise.com

Due Dates, E-file Indoor Tanning Service, Federal Excise Tax Electronic Filing, Form 2290 Efile, IRS Tax Tips and Alerts

IRS tax form 2290, Efile only with www.Tax2290.com

The IRS Form 2290 is made available from Nov 1, 2011 for the Tax Year 2011-12, If your vehicle was first used in July, August, September or October 2011, you are required to file Form 2290 by November 30, 2011. You will not be liable for any late filing penalty or interest if you meet this due date. Beginning November 1, 2011, we will provide a stamped (receipted) Schedule 1 to those who file and pay their tax.

Efile the IRS Tax Form 2290 through http://www.TaxExcise.com or http://www.Tax2290.com the #1 efile service provider and certified by the IRS.

E-file VIN correction

reporting VIN correction to the IRS can now be done online accessing http://www.taxexcise.com or http://www.tax2290.com. No need to send paper forms for correction the mistakenly filed VIN#. click here to check more

Efile 2290 Amendment

When reporting an original Form 2290 with IRS for the tax year, you would have increased your Gross Weight, or crossed the Mileage Limit from the originally filed Form 2290. Report an amendments online and get it corrected in your Schedule 1 copy. Click here to read more

Form 2290 Credits

Efile the Sold / Transferred / Destroyed Vehicle claims to the IRS and receive your claims faster now. You have paid and would have sold the vehicle, so IRS may owe tax credits for the sold vehicle. Now claim the 2290 refunds online and get your refund faster. Click here to read more

Please feel free to reach the Support Center at 866-245-3918 for any further support, we love to help you through your filing. Also email us your queries to support@taxexcise.com for instant reply

Electronic filing excise taxes, Electronic filing of Form 720, Federal Excise Tax Electronic Filing, IRS Tax Tips and Alerts

IRS Seeks to Return $153 Million in Undelivered Checks to Taxpayers; Recommends e-file, Direct Deposit to Avoid Future Delivery Problems

WASHINGTON — In an annual reminder to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is looking to return $153.3 million in undelivered tax refund checks. In all, 99,123 taxpayers are due refund checks this year that could not be delivered because of mailing address errors.

Undelivered refund checks average $1,547 this year.

Taxpayers who believe their refund check may have been returned to the IRS as undelivered should use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. The tool will provide the status of their refund and, in some cases, instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will receive instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954.

While only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS are returned as undelivered, taxpayers can put an end to lost, stolen or undelivered checks by choosing direct deposit when they file either paper or electronic returns. Last year, more than 78.4 million taxpayers chose to receive their refund through direct deposit. Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into their bank account, split a tax refund into two or three financial accounts or even buy a savings bond.

The IRS also recommends that taxpayers file their tax returns electronically, because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds. Nearly 8 out of 10 taxpayers chose e-file last year. E-file combined with direct deposit is the best option for taxpayers to avoid refund problems; it’s easy, fast and safe.

The public should be aware that the IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of pending refunds and does not ask for personal or financial information through email.  Such messages are common phishing scams.  The agency urges taxpayers receiving such messages not to release any personal information, reply, open any attachments or click on any links to avoid malicious code that can infect their computers.  The best way for an individual to verify if she or he has a pending refund is going directly to IRS.gov and using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool.

More Links:

Video: Undeliverable Refunds: English | Spanish | ASL
Podcast: Undeliverable Refunds

Source: www.irs.gov Issue Number: IR-2011-113

Due Dates, Form 2290 Amendment, Form 2290 Efile, Form 720 Quarterly Excise Tax Efile, IRS Tax Tips and Alerts

IRS to Host Public Meeting Dec. 8 on Real-Time Tax System

WASHINGTON –– The Internal Revenue Service will kick off a series of public meetings  Thursday, Dec. 8 to gather feedback on how to implement a series of long-term changes to the tax system described by IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman in an April 2011 speech at the National Press Club.  In that speech, the Commissioner described a vision where the IRS would move away from the traditional “look back” model of compliance, and instead perform substantially more “real time,” or upfront matching of tax returns when they are first filed with the IRS.  The goal of this initiative is to improve the tax filing process by reducing burden for taxpayers and improving overall compliance upfront.

Under the vision of a real-time tax system, the IRS could match information submitted on a tax return with third-party information right up front during processing and could provide the opportunity for taxpayers to fix the tax return before acceptance if it contains data that does not match IRS records

By contrast, today the IRS conducts a significant number of compliance activities months after the tax return has been filed and processed.  It is not uncommon for a taxpayer to receive a notice 12 to 18 months after a tax return is filed.  This after-the-fact compliance approach can create problems and frustrations for both taxpayers and the IRS.

At the public meetings, IRS officials will solicit feedback and input from outside stakeholders to provide comments and insight. The first meeting will feature representatives of consumer groups, the tax professional community and government representatives.  A future public meeting will include, among others, representatives of the employer and payroll community, the software industry, financial institutions and additional government representatives.

The first meeting, scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 8, will take place at the IRS Headquarters Building Auditorium, 1111 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. Those who would like to attend the meeting should e-mail the IRS atCL.NPL.Communications@irs.gov with the contact information for the attendees or call the IRS at 202-622-3359.

The next public meeting will be held early next year.

Source: www.IRS.gov Issue Number: IR-2011-114

Electronic filing excise taxes, Form 2290 Efile, IRS Tax Tips and Alerts

FAQs for Truckers Who e-file IRS Form 2290

Who is required to file Form 2290 and pay Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax?
Anyone who registers a heavy highway vehicle in their name with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more must file Form 2290 and pay the tax. Typically, owners of vans, pickup trucks, panel trucks and similar trucks are not required to file Form 2290 or pay tax on these smaller trucks. Trucks that are used for 5,000 miles or less (7,500 for farm trucks) are also excluded from this tax.

Who is required to e-file Form 2290?
IRS encourage all 2290 filers to e-file. If you are reporting 25 or more heavy highway vehicles for any taxable period, you are required to e-file through an IRS-approved software provider Tax2290.com or TaxExcise.com. Electronic filing improves tax processing and saves you personal resources, including time and postage. In addition, e-file reduces preparation and processing errors. You can e-file your return from your own computer, any time of day or night. Use e-file and your IRS Stamped Schedule 1 is available through Tax2290.com or TaxExcise.com immediately after IRS accepts it.

  • No more waiting for it to come in the mail!
  • No more waiting in a line at any IRS office for paying the 2290 taxes!!
  • No more travelling to any IRS office to get 2290 stamped!!!

All at one place, available at Tax2290.com or TaxExcise.com the #1 efile service provider since 2007.

Why do I need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to e-file?
IRS need to have a system for protecting your privacy and making sure they know the identify of 2290 e-filers. IRS use a combination of your EIN and your name as a unique identifier for each taxpayer. On an e-filed return, if a taxpayer’s unique ID doesn’t match the IRS records, e-file rejects the return.

Make sure you enter the EIN and the Business Name / Name which you actually used while registering with the IRS, else IRS may reject your 2290 return for mismatch.

When are my Form 2290 taxes due?

Normally, your due date depends on when you put your vehicles in service. In 2011 only, there is an exception for some taxpayers because IRS were not able to provide the Form 2290 until November 1, 2011.

For the Tax Year 2011, IRS tax Form 2290 is due Nov 30!

In 2011, if you were expected to file and pay by the last day of August, September or October you have an extension on your due date until November 30, 2011.

For other years, the annual taxable period begins on July 1 of the current year and ends on June 30 of the following year. For vehicles that are in use at the beginning of the tax period, your 2290 filing deadline is August 31. Taxes on the full tax period must be filed and paid in advance.

The due date for a partial period return depends on the month you first use your vehicle. If you place an additional taxable truck on the road during any month other than July, you are liable for 2290 taxes on it, but only for the months during which it was in service.

You must file Form 2290 for these trucks by the last day of the month following the month the vehicle was first used on public highways. You can find out when Forms 2290 are supposed to be filed in the table below, When Your Taxes Are Due.

These due date rules apply whether you are paying the tax or reporting the suspension of tax. It is important to file and pay all your 2290 taxes on time to avoid paying interest and penalties.

When Your Taxes Are Due

IF, in this period, the
vehicle is first used during		 Then, file Form 2290 and
make your payment by*…
July August 31**
August September 30**
September October 31**
October November 30
November December 31
December January 31
January February 28
February March 31
March April 30
April May 31
May June 30
June July 31
*File by this date regardless of when state registration for the vehicle is due
**NOTE: Taxpayers who were expected to file Form 2290 and pay by the last day of August, September or October have an extension on their due date until November 30, 2011.

How will I know the IRS has received my return?
After IRS accept your return, you will receive an e-mail notification. You will also have access to an electronic version of the Schedule 1 containing a watermark of the e-file logo in the background. The Schedule 1 can be printed from your own computer. You may also subscribe for a TEXT Alert and for a FAX Copy of your IRS stamped Schedule 1.

How do I make corrections to my e-filed return?
You can e-file a correction to VIN number typed in Schedule 1 copy[VIN correction], weight and/or mileage reported to IRS.  You will need to make corrections by e-filing an 2290 amendment through Tax2290.com or TaxExcise.com and the corrected Schedule 1 copy will be available through Tax2290.com or TaxExcise.com in minutes.

If I buy another truck after I have e-filed my 2290 for the current tax period, should I e-file my original 2290 again and simply add the new vehicle to the Schedule 1?

No. If you e-file your 2290 and list the vehicles you own on the Schedule 1, then subsequently buy one or more additional trucks, you must file a new Form 2290 listing only the new vehicles. You may e-file that 2290 anytime before the last day of the month following the month the new vehicle was first used on public highways. Review the table above to find your due dates.

May I file one 2290 for two trucks that I place on the road in two consecutive months?
No. The amount of tax you owe depends on the month when you first placed your trucks on the road. In this case, you should file two Forms 2290, one for each vehicle and its partial tax period, and complete a Schedule 1 for each. Your tax will be more for the truck that was placed into service first. In the next tax year, you can file one 2290 for all the trucks you will have on the road for the 12 months of the tax year; that is, between July 1 of the current year and June 30 of the following year.

What should I do if my e-filed return is rejected by the IRS for duplication?
Make sure the correct Vehicle Identification Numbers are listed and are not duplications from a previous filing. Correct any duplication and re-submit the return.

If you are correcting VINs listed on a previously submitted and accepted return, you can now efile a return by marking as “VIN correction“. If the new VIN is totally different from what was listed on your original return (Schedule 1), you need to explain why the VIN you are now submitting is different.

When I submitted my Form 2290 electronically, I received an online duplicate filing error. Why did this happen?
When you submitted your return, the system detected that you had already filed a return under the same EIN, for the same tax period, for the same vehicle(s) and/or the same VIN category. Check your return to make sure you are reporting new vehicles only and that the other information you input is correct.

Can I claim a refund electronically for a vehicle that was sold, destroyed or stolen during the tax period?
Yes. You can claim a credit for the tax paid on the next Form 2290 you file in the same or subsequent tax period. Alternatively, a refund of the tax paid can be claimed on Form 8849, Schedule 6, Other Claims. The refund amount will depend on when the vehicle was sold, destroyed or stolen.

Can I claim a refund electronically for a vehicle I used less than 5,000 miles during the tax period?
Yes. If you already paid the tax on a vehicle you used for less than 5,000 miles, you can claim a credit on the first Form 2290 you file for thenext tax period. Alternatively, you can claim a refund of the tax paid on Form 8849, Schedule 6, Other Claims. However, a credit or claim for this refund cannot be filed until the next tax period.

A credit, lower tax, exemption or refund is not allowed for an occasional light or decreased load or a discontinued or changed use of a vehicle.

Call our Help Desk 1-866-245-391 or email all your queries to support@TaxExcise.com, we are very happy to support you through the filing.

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