Tax Season 2017: Seven Excellent Resources

It’s tax season and you may one of the few that feel like you are the bit over your head.  You may not know where to begin or even what you need to file your taxes.    It is not only important to make sure that you file your taxes correctly, but you want to make sure that you are maximizing all of your deductions so you can get as much money back as you can.  Sometimes taxes are just not as straightforward or as simple as you wish they would be.  You could have had an interesting year if you moved, bought a new home, started a new job, etc…  The list can go on and on.  Here is a list of some excellent tax resources you can use this year.

• H&R Block Tax Calculator.  Looking to estimate your tax refund?  Use this great site to see what you may get back.  It’s free!  It will let you know how much your refund may be or if you will owe in taxes.
• Tax Season Resource Page.  Want up-to-date info on taxes?  Visit this great website to get quick tax season information.  You will be able to find the newest tax resources as soon as they roll out.
• 1040 Central.  This is a great site to use when you are preparing for your return.  They have all the information you need on taxes as well the Affordable Care Act.
• Tax Prep Checklist.  If you are planning on going in to have a professional help you out with taxes, make sure you download this checklist.  It will provide you with all the information you need, what you have and what you don’t have.  This will help make sure that your tax specialist, as well as yourself, don’t miss a thing when it comes to filing your taxes.
• Identity Theft Prevention and Resource Center.  Unfortunately, identity theft is on the rise.  Most people know someone who has been affected.  This can greatly affect your taxes if you have been a victim.  Use this resource to see how you can put safety measures to help prevent this from happening to you or how to file when you have been a victim.
• IRS Hotline Quick Reference Chart.  Looking for dedicated lines for international tax information, form 706 or anything else?  Visit this site and it will give you the direct line.  This is such a useful resource rather than calling and having to go through a long list of number options to finally get directed to where you want to go.  Everything you can think of has a direct number that you can call.
• Small Business Tax Write-offs.  If you own a small business you may not know all the items of your business that you can write off.  This site has great information on the most overlooked small business tax write offs that you can file for.  When you are running your own business it is important that you are counting every dime and nickel.