Last-Minute Tips For Filing Your Taxes

Don’t panic if you haven’t done your taxes yet. 


There’s no time like the present to prepare and file your 2015 tax return.


You can visit IRS.gov for help to make filing less taxing.

1. Don’t delay. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your taxes. If you rush to beat the deadline, you may miss out on tax savings or make a mistake. An error may delay your refund and could cause the IRS to send you a letter.

2. Use IRS Free File.  If you made $62,000 or less, you can use free tax software to do your taxes and e-file. If you made more, you can use Free File Fillable Forms. These are electronic versions of IRS paper forms. Free File will also help with the reporting requirements for the Affordable Care Act.

3. Try IRS e-file. No matter who does your taxes, you should file them using IRS e-file. It’s the safe, easy and accurate way to file your tax return. You’re 20 times less likely to make a mistake when you e-file compared to filing a paper return. Tax software catches and corrects common paper filing errors. It also will alert you to tax credits and deductions you may otherwise miss.

4. Visit IRS.gov. Go online for tax information and resources. The Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Trails and IRS Tax Map are useful question and answer resources.

5. File on time. If you owe taxes but can’t pay by the April due date, you should still file on time and pay as much as you can. This will reduce potential penalties and interest charges. If you can’t pay all the tax you owe, you may apply for an installment agreement. The easy way to apply is to use the Online Payment Agreement application on IRS.gov. You can also apply by mail using IRS Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.

6. File an extension. If you’re not ready to file by April 18 (April 19 for taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts), you can get an automatic six-month extension. You can e-file your extension request for free using IRS Free File. If you owe tax, you can request your extension when you make a payment with Direct Pay, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or by debit or credit card and select Form 4868 as the payment type. You may also file using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Make sure to e-file or mail the form and pay an estimate of any tax due by the April due date.

7. File to reconcile Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit. You must file a tax return and submit Form 8962 to reconcile advance payments of the premium tax credit with the actual premium tax credit to which you are entitled. You will need Form 1095-A from the Marketplace to complete Form 8962. Filing your return without reconciling your advance payments will delay your refund and may affect future advance credit payments.

Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.

For help with your legal needs contact a business, tax, and health care law attorney at the offices of AttorneyBritt.

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Five Tax Tips On Estimated Tax Payments

If you don’t have taxes withheld, or you don’t have enough tax withheld, you may need to make estimated tax payments.

If you are self-employed you normally have to quarterly estimated tax payments.

Here are five tips about making estimated tax payments:

1. When the tax applies. You should pay estimated taxes in 2015 if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for 2016 after subtracting your withholding and refundable credits. Special rules apply to farmers and fishermen.

2. How to figure the tax. Estimate the amount of income you expect to receive for the year. Also make sure that you take into account any tax deductions and credits that you will be eligible to claim. Use Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to figure and pay your estimated tax.

3. When to make payments. You normally make estimated tax payments four times a year. The dates that apply to most people for 2016 are April 18, June 15 and Sept. 15. There is one last payment on Jan. 17, 2017.

4. When to change tax payments or withholding. Major life changes like the birth of a child can affect your taxes. When these changes happen, you may need to revise your estimated tax payments during the year. If you are an employee, you may need to change the amount of tax withheld from your pay. If this is the case, give your employer a new Form W–4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. You can use the IRS Withholding Calculator tool to help you fill out the form.

5. How to pay estimated tax. You can pay online, by phone or from your mobile device. Direct Pay is a secure online service to pay your tax bill or your estimated tax directly from your checking or savings account at no cost to you. Visit IRS.gov/payments for easy and secure ways to pay your tax. Paying by mail is another option. If you pay by mail, use the payment vouchers that come with Form 1040-ES.

Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.
Additional IRS Resources:

• Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
• Estimated Tax – frequently asked Q & As
• Tax Topic 306 – Penalty for Underpayment of Estimated Tax

IRS YouTube Videos:

• Estimated Tax Payments – English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcast:

• Estimated Tax Payments – English | Spanish

IRS Offers 10 Tax-Time Tips

If you haven’t filed yet, the IRS has these 10 tax-time tips to help you.

The April 18 deadline to file your federal tax return is less than two weeks away. Don’t wait until the last minute.

1. Gather your records.  Make sure you have all your tax records. This includes receipts, canceled checks and other records that support income, deductions or tax credits that you claim. If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, you will need the information in Form 1095-A to file.

2. Report all your income. You will need to report your income from all of your Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Forms 1099 and any other income – even if you don’t receive a statement – when you file your tax return.

3. Try IRS Free File. Free File is available only on IRS.gov. If you made $62,000 or less, you can use free name-brand tax software to file your federal tax return. If you earned more, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms. If you need more time to file, you can also use IRS Free File to get an automatic six-month extension to file your taxes. Remember, an extension to file your tax return is not an extension to pay taxes you owe, which are due April 18.

4. Try IRS e-file. Electronic filing is the best way to file a tax return. It’s accurate, safe and easy. If you owe taxes, you have the option to e-file early and pay by April 18 to avoid penalties and interest.

5. Use Direct Deposit.  The fastest and safest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

6. Visit IRS.gov. IRS.gov is a great place to get what you need to file your tax return. Click on the "Filing" icon for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions and IRS forms and publications. Get them all at any time. The IRS Services Guide outlines the many ways to get help on IRS.gov.

7. Use IRS online tools. The IRS has many online tools on IRS.gov to help you file. For instance, the Interactive Tax Assistant tool provides answers to many of your tax questions. The tool gives the same answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone. If you want to find a tax preparer with the qualifications and credentials that you prefer, use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. IRS tools are free and easy to use. They are also available 24/7.

8. Weigh your filing options. You have different options for filing your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or go to a tax preparer. You may be eligible for free help at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly site.

9. Check out number 17. IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, is a complete tax resource that you can read on IRS.gov. It’s also available as an eBook. It can help you with many tax questions, such as whether you need to file a tax return, or how to choose your filing status.

10. Review your return.  Mistakes slow down your tax refund. If you file a paper return, be sure to check all Social Security numbers. That’s one of the most common errors. Remember that IRS e-file is the most accurate way to file.

Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.
Additional IRS Resources:

• IRS Tax Map

IRS YouTube Videos:

• Welcome to Free File – English
• Free Help Preparing your Tax Return  –  English | Spanish | ASL
• Get Tax Help in Spanish – English | Spanish | ASL
• Interactive Tax Assistant – English | ASL
• Choose a Tax Preparer Wisely – English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

• Interactive Tax Assistant – English

For help with your legal needs contact a business, tax, and health care law attorney at the offices of AttorneyBritt.

Review-Like-Follow AttorneyBritt On:

Gov. Sarah Palin In Wisconsin To "Stump4Trump"

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who’s endorsed Donald Trump, is in Wisconsin campaigning for the GOP frontrunner.

Palin posted on Facebook, “Just touched down in the great state of Wisconsin to ‪#‎Stump4Trump‬! Wisconsin’s middle class has been hurt by DC politicians’ out-of-touch policies worse than any other state – 100,000 jobs lost to Mexico and China thanks to trade deficits with countries that cheat on our ‘agreements.'”

Donald J. Trump has fought for American workers and against trade deficits for decades in the private sector, unlike his competitors who actually support Obama’s reckless TPP and TPA deals that are entirely unfair to the U.S. worker! As President he’ll bring manufacturing jobs back home; his interests are OUR interests, and his trade policies will finally put America first. Watch this clip of Donald Trump 20 years ago standing up for American workers! ‪#‎jobs‬ #jobs #jobs

As Palin is campaigning for Trump, the real estate mogul added two new campaign events to his schedule.

He originally planned an afternoon town hall in Wausau, Wisconsin on Saturday, but is now also holding a town hall earlier in the day in Racine, Wisconsin and also a town hall Saturday night in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.



Remember, A vote for Cruz is a vote for some GOP establishment stooge, because the GOPe will never let Trump or Cruz be nominee if nobody gets 1237 delegates before the convention.  Only Trump can get 1237 delegates before the convention.  Cruz is foolish to think he will get nomination on subsequent ballots at convention.  The GOP establishment will NEVER let that happen.

Why And How The Never Trump GOPe And Cruzbots Have Made Me - ONLY TRUMP !!

I stopped giving money to the GOP 10 years ago when McCain, Graham, McConnell and Bush first started pushing legalization for illegals and failed to build a real wall and secure the border.  At that time I started telling the GOP any time they contacted me that they needed to stop worrying about getting my money and start worrying about whether they would get my vote.  Naturally, it had absolutely zero effect.

I held my nose and voted for the losers McCain and Romney even though I hated them as candidates and hated their positions on many things including illegal immigration and the border.

TRUMP is the GOP's last shot with me.  I hate that these morons like Graham and Romney and others and all their corrupt super pacs have been out to get Trump for many many months.  I also have been sickened by all the GOPe "conservatives" at National Review, Redstate, etc. with their never Trump stuff.  All this combined has made me ONLY TRUMP.  I will NEVER vote for Cruz or any other nominee that comes out of the GOP convention.

If Trump is NOT nominee or if Trump is nominee but doesn't win because of how the GOP has spent 300 million dollars attacking him and driving up his negatives and if either of those things comes to pass, then not only will the GOP never get money from me again the GOP will never get another vote from me again.

Instead I will do what Romney and the never Trump people have been running around saying people should do to Trump.  Only I will do it to the GOP.  I will vote strategically like Romney et al advocate.

Only my strategy will be to cast my votes to try and make sure that no republican in any race for any office ever wins again.  Until either I die or the GOP dies.

If that means voting straight democrat for the first time in my life (since 1971) that is what I will do.  And I hate the democrats at the national party level and think they are scum willing to destroy the country to maintain their power in Washington, DC.

But I hate McConnell, Graham, McCain, Ryan, Boehner, Cornyn, McCarthy, Lyin Ted Cruz and the democrat Kasich and all of the other GOP establishment sellouts to the globalists and mega donors even more.

For me never Trump has become ONLY TRUMP.  After that it will be NEVER GOP as long as the GOP functions as just a wing of the democrat uniparty with leaders like McConnell, Graham, McCain, etc.  The GOP establishment is wholly unworthy of any support, they sell out their voters and the country for their power in Washington, DC, for their country club memberships and free rides on the private jets of the giant global corporations and global mega donors.