Category Archives for "Blog"

Jan 09

Happy New Year 2018

By Eddie Cargor | Blog , Taxes , Uncategorized

SWYFTS TAX NEWS

Welcome to the tax filing season

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 and reminded taxpayers claiming certain tax credits that refunds won’t be available before late February.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 29,WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the nation’s tax season will begin Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 and reminded taxpayers claiming certain tax credits that refunds won’t be available before late February.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that, by law, the IRS cannot issue refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. While the IRS will process those returns when received, it cannot issue related refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards starting on Feb. 27, 2018, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return.  The IRS also reminds taxpayers that they should keep copies of their prior-year tax returns for at least three years. Taxpayers who are using a tax software product for the first time will need their adjusted gross income from their 2016 tax return to file electronically. Taxpayers who are using the same tax software they used last year will not need to enter prior-year information to electronically sign their 2017 tax return. Using an electronic filing PIN is no longer an option.

Jan 19

Six Reasons to E-file your Taxes in 2016

By Eddie Cargor | Blog , Uncategorized

Six Reasons to E-file your Taxes in 2016

  1. Accurate and Easy. IRS e-file is the best way to file an accurate tax return. The tax software helps you avoid mistakes by doing the math for you. It guides you through each section of your tax return. It is much easier than doing your taxes by hand and mailing paper tax forms.
  2. Safe and Secure. IRS e-file meets strict security guidelines. It uses modern encryption technology to protect tax returns. The IRS has processed more than 1.5 billion e-filed tax returns to date. This year, the IRS is working with states and tax industry leaders to protect your tax return from identity theft refund fraud. This new effort has put strong new safeguards in place to make tax filing safer than ever before.
  3. Convenient and Often Free. You can e-file for free through IRS Free File. Free File is only available on IRS.gov. You may qualify to have your taxes e-filed for free through IRS volunteer programs. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, offers free tax preparation if you earned $54,000 or less. Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, generally helps people who are age 60 or older. You can buy commercial tax software to e-file or ask your tax preparer to e-file your tax return. Most paid preparers are required to file their clients’ returns electronically.
  4. Faster Refunds. In most cases, e-file helps get your refund faster. That’s because there is nothing to mail and your tax return is virtually mistake-free. The fastest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit into your bank account. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
  5. Health Care Tax Reporting. IRS e-file can help with tax provisions of the health care law. The software will walk you through the lines on the tax forms that relate to the Affordable Care Act.
  6. Payment Options. If you owe taxes, you can e-file early and set up an automatic payment on any day until the April 18 deadline. You can pay electronically from your bank account with IRS Direct Pay. You also have many other options to pay, including electronic funds withdrawal or payment by debit or credit card. Visit IRS.gov/payments for details
2015 Tax Season Tips
May 09

The End of Tax Season

By Eddie Cargor | Blog , Taxes

As we transition into the spring after a long record breaking winter now would be a great time to reflect on tax strategies that can be implemented for next year. One recommended tax strategy would be to start spring cleaning by getting rid of those clothes that you no longer wear and donate them to a charitable organization (ie. Salvation Army, Purple Heart, etc…)