LibGuides: Income Tax: Federal

Books

Taxes in America Despite their passion and fury, contemporary Americans are remarkably clueless about how their tax system works. But with heated debates over taxation now roiling Congress and the nation, an understanding of our tax system is of vital importance. Taxes in America, by preeminent tax scholarsLeonard E. Burman and Joel Slemrod, offers a clear, concise explanation of how our tax system works, how it affects people and businesses, and how it might be improved. Accessibly written and organized in a clear, question-and-answer format, the book describes the intricacies of the modern taxsystem in an easy-to-grasp manner.Burman and Slemrod begin with the basic definitions of taxes and then delve into more complicated and indeed contentious concerns. They address such questions as how to recognize Fool's Gold tax reform plans. How much more tax could the IRS collect with better enforcement? How do tax burdens varyaround the world? Why do corporations pay so little tax, even though they earn trillions of dollars every year? And what kind of tax system is most conducive to economic growth?
Those Dirty Rotten Taxes
Federal Taxation in America
ISBN: 9780521836654
This brief survey is the first comprehensive historical overview of the US federal tax systems published since 1967. Its coverage extends from the ratification of the Constitution to the present day. Brownlee describes the five principal stages of federal taxation in relation to the crises that led to their adoption - the formation of the republic, the Civil War, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II - and discusses the significant modifications during the Reagan presidency. While focusing on federal policy, Brownlee also attends to the related history of state and local taxation. This 'democratic-institutionalist' interpretation is a novel and major contribution to the history of taxation and public finance. Now in a new edition, Brownlee extends his coverage to the present, with a new chapter focusing on the current tax policies of the George W. Bush administration.

US Federal Tax Information

IRS Home Page Start here! Click FILE for basic taxpayer categories
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Includes coronavirus economic relief and impact information..
Coronavirus Assistance Impacts
For Economic Impact Payment questions, call 800-919-9835.

Individuals+ page
General information for individual filers and other entities. Includes corona virus tax relief.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tax Relief
IRS is offering coronavirus tax relief (check back for frequent updates).

Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus): What you need to know
Telephone Assistance: IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time. Please look for help first here on IRS.gov.
Employees
Tax, corona, and tax relief information ; employee withholding forms.
Seniors/Retirees
Includes corona virus tax relief
Military
Tax and corona virus information for current and former members of the military and their families.
International Taxpayer

Parents
Students
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. ..Foreign and domestic students
Parents and Students
RE: Form 1098-T Credits up to $2500.
FASFA

All forms -- Instructions -- publications
Form 1040
2020 tax year guidance, forms (long and short), and instructions
W-4: 2021
Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate. Complete and submit to your employer to set your federal tax withholding for the current tax year
W-4 Withholding Estimator
IRS -- all forms and instructions
More than you will ever need! Listed by product number.

IRS Filing Calendar
2021 tax season (press release)

Key filing dates (Federal)

January 15. IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting Feb. 12. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
January 29. Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.
February 12. IRS begins 2021 tax season. Individual tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins.
February 22. Projected date for the IRS.gov Where's My Refund tool being updated for those claiming EITC and ACTC, also referred to as PATH Act returns.
First week of March. Tax refunds begin reaching those claiming EITC and ACTC (PATH Act returns) for those who file electronically with direct deposit and there are no issues with their tax returns.
April 15. Deadline for filing 2020 tax returns.
October 15. Deadline to file for those requesting an extension on their 2020 tax returns

IRS News Releases
The latest news releases, guidance, and tips from the IRS.
Educators can now deduct out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 protective items
Educators can now deduct out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 protective items

Erie County Senior Services
Links to several potential assistance sites -

A possibility: -- BECPL's Technolab (858-7198).. Call for appointment availability.
Free File
IRS site -- file online.

N.B. -- Listed tax help sites have provided taxpayer assistance in the past. Participation and schedules for 2021 may not be scheduled or available.

Coronavirus Assistance Impacts
Other issues: online tools and resources.
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For Economic Impact Payment questions, call 800-919-9835.Telephone Assistance: IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time. For Economic Impact Payment questions, call 800-919-9835.