Don’t have your tax refund yet? You can check on it! It’s easy just click here and fill out the form. Knowledge will be yours. —MEGHANN MARCO
taxes
![Wait, Why Are We Paying Turbo Tax Again?](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/kisstax.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Wait, Why Are We Paying Turbo Tax Again?
When a taxpayer files electronically through TurboTax, the information goes first to Intuit’s data center, where the file is batched with others and then sent to I.R.S. computers. The process is almost instantaneous, the company said — when everything goes right. “We are just the transmitter of the return,” said Julie Miller, a spokeswoman for the Intuit TurboTax unit. “In the middle there are no additional steps we are taking.”
![40 Million Taxpayers Forget To Collect The Telephone Excise Tax](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/remember-the-telephone-excise-tax1.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
40 Million Taxpayers Forget To Collect The Telephone Excise Tax
Remember the telephone excise tax? For 40 million taxpayers, the answer is “no.” From Kiplingers:
Although nearly everyone who had a phone at any time between March 1, 2003, and July 31, 2006, deserved the credit, the IRS says that 30% of taxpayers failed to claim it. That means 40 million taxpayers missed the boat … and a chance to boost their refund (or cut their tax due) by $30, $40, $50 or $60.
You can still pry your money from the government by spending fifteen minutes with Form 1040X. X as in, remember the X-cise tax. Kiplinger’s has a step-by-step guide to claim the credit that is rightfully yours. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
![So, You *#$@%& Up Your Tax Return? Here's How To Fix It](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/whoopstaxes.jpg?w=200&h=225&crop=1)
So, You *#$@%& Up Your Tax Return? Here's How To Fix It
We know you didn’t mean to do it. Now you’ve filed a totally incorrect tax return and you’re freaking out. “Why? Why did I tell the IRS I had a farm in Guam?”
![TurboTax Apologizes And Gives Refunds For Filing Slowdown](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/turbotaxmini.jpg?w=300&h=194&crop=1)
TurboTax Apologizes And Gives Refunds For Filing Slowdown
TurboTax sent an email this morning to customers saying sorry for the big server slowdown on April 17th, and pledging refunds to any one who tried to file that day.
![IRS Won't Penalize Turbo Tax Late Filers](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/irsfairy.jpg?w=150&h=200&crop=1)
IRS Won't Penalize Turbo Tax Late Filers
Tax procrastinators can stop biting their cuticles, the IRS says they won’t fine anyone who couldn’t file due to Turbo Tax server difficulties.
![Overwhelmed Turbo Tax Servers Slow To Crawl For E-Filers](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/turbotaxkiss.jpg?w=200&h=148&crop=1)
Overwhelmed Turbo Tax Servers Slow To Crawl For E-Filers
Yep, looks like Turbo Taxes servers were totally bunged up last night. Some people were sitting there for hours, waiting for a confirmation after hitting submit. Intuit, makers of Turbo Tax, contacted the IRS but there’s been no official word whether people unable to submit their taxes by the midnight deadline will get an extension. Some statement from the IRS should be out today.
Turbo Tax's Servers Down?
Reader Derek reports he can’t e-file taxes because Turbo Tax’s servers are down. Not sure if others are experiencing this, but he could still file by printing out his return and rushing to a local post office. There may indeed be one nearby open until midnight. — BEN POPKEN
![If The US Government Were The Average Household, What Would Its Budget Be?](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/usgovernmentfamilybudget.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
If The US Government Were The Average Household, What Would Its Budget Be?
If the government made $1,000 a week (about the median household income in the US) what would its budget look like? MSNBC took last year’s budget and calculated the “household” budget of the US Government.
![IRS Offers Extension To Those Affected By The Virginia Tech Shooting](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/irslogo2.jpg?w=300&h=79&crop=1)
IRS Offers Extension To Those Affected By The Virginia Tech Shooting
This relief applies to the victims, their families, emergency responders and university students and employees.
![Tax Extension For Those Directly Affected By The Storm](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/flooding1.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Tax Extension For Those Directly Affected By The Storm
Taxpayers directly impacted by the storm have until midnight April 19 to meet their tax filing obligations without incurring late filing and payment penalties.
![It's Tax Day! 13 Interesting Facts About US Taxes](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/incometaxpizza.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
It's Tax Day! 13 Interesting Facts About US Taxes
I know what you’re saying, “Wow, fun.” Well, hush. It’s tax day and you probably don’t know much trivia about taxes. For example, did you know that chewing gum paid (in part) for the Spanish American War? See? That’s interesting.
![Post Offices Open Late For Last-Minute Tax Filers](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/businessmanrunning.jpg?w=150&h=200&crop=1)
Post Offices Open Late For Last-Minute Tax Filers
If you’re scrambling to get your taxes mailed tonight in Manhattan, there’s a post office open until midnight at 31st st & 8th av.
![If You're Getting A Refund, File Whenever You Feel Like It](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/paperairplanes.jpg?w=150&h=133&crop=1)
If You're Getting A Refund, File Whenever You Feel Like It
Kiplinger’s says that if you’re getting a refund this year, you don’t need to stress about filing on-time.
![Middle Class? Get Ready For Your Audit!](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/middleclassbackwardsbowling.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Middle Class? Get Ready For Your Audit!
If you make from $25,000 to $100,000 dollars, the IRS is much more likely to audit you this year, and those caught cheating can expect to pay about $4,100 more in taxes.
![Your Ticket Taxes Fund Corporate Jets](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/corporatejet.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Your Ticket Taxes Fund Corporate Jets
Billions of dollars in the taxes and fees you pay on airline tickets are being funneled to make upgrades at small airports used mainly by corporate jets and private pilots, the AP reports.
![Tax Season: Last Minute Tax Tips](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/do-your-taxes.jpg?w=197&h=225&crop=1)
Tax Season: Last Minute Tax Tips
![Spend It All: A Depressing Look A Taxes, Inflation And Saving](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/moneydecisions.jpg?w=200&h=225&crop=1)
Spend It All: A Depressing Look A Taxes, Inflation And Saving
If I said to you, “You can have $10,000 to spend now–or $9,500 to spend in 10 years,” which would you choose? Probably the $10,000 now. And in doing so, you would be making the same choice many Americans make when deciding whether to save or spend their hard-earned cash.
The article goes on to consider some strategies for saving money such as T-bills and stocks, as well as proposing some changes to the tax code. The author suggests making long-term savings tax exempt, which sounds like a lovely pipe-dream. —MEGHANN MARCO