In the wake of the tragic bombings that occurred in Boston on Monday, April 15, the IRS announced today a three-month tax filing and payment extension to provide relief to Boston-area taxpayers and others affected by Monday’s explosions.

The relief will give eligible taxpayers until July 15, 2013 to file their 2012 tax returns and pay taxes that were due on April 15th without incurring filing and payment penalties.  Interest penalties, however, will still apply to any payments made after the April 15 tax deadline.

Who is Eligible for Relief?

The relief applies to individual taxpayers who live in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, including the city of Boston.  In addition, victims, their families, first responders, taxpayers whose tax preparers were affected, and individuals living outside Suffolk County who were impacted will be eligible for relief.

How Do You Get an Extension?

If you live in Suffolk County, the IRS will automatically provide you an extension and no further action is necessary.  If you live outside Suffolk County, you can call the IRS beginning Tuesday, April 23 at 1-866-562-5227 to claim relief.

If eligible, you may also receive an additional extension, to October 15, as long as you file extension Form 4868 by July 15, 2013.

If there’s no possible way you’ll make the tax deadline, as a last resort you can go online and file for an extension by April 15.

Filing an extension automatically pushes back the tax filing deadline to October 15, 2013 and protects you from the failure to file penalty which can grow at a rate of 5 percent of the amount due with your return for each month that you’re late, up to five months. For example, if you owe $2,500 and are three months late, the late-filing penalty would be $375.

Be aware that filing an extension is simply an extension of time to file, not an extension to pay. If you owe money for the 2012 tax year, you still need to pay your tax liability (within 90 percent accuracy) by April 15 to avoid paying interest and penalties on the amount owed.

Filing an extension does not stop you from incurring interest and paying a late payment penalty. You will incur interest at a rate determined quarterly based on the federal short-term rate, plus 3% compounded daily even if you do file an extension, which is why filing for an extension should not be thought of as a way to delay tax payments.

You will also have to pay a late payment penalty, which is one-half of one percent of tax owed each month or part of the month until tax is paid in full or 25% max is reached.

Even if you are unable to pay your tax liability in full, pay as much as you can with your tax return. You can even apply for an online payment agreement or Installment Agreement Request when you submit your tax return.

So, do you really need more time to file your taxes this year? Whether you’re filing your taxes up until 11:59 pm on April 15 or you need to file an extension, relax, we’ve got you covered. TurboTax makes it easy for you to finish filing your taxes, but if you need more time, you can file your extension online for free in minutes with TurboTax Easy Tax Extension. And, only TurboTax lets you talk to CPAs, IRS enrolled agents and tax attorneys while you prepare your tax return, free.

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Michael Rubin CPA, CFP- Total Candor

My favorite end of season tax tip is the “once (again) over.”  While your tax return should be completely accurate throughout, you should double check a few things before you send your tax return to the IRS in a rush the night of the 15^th.   Make sure at least the following are 100% correct:

• All Social Security numbers
• All wages and withholding from the W-2’s you received.  Double-check your employer’s EIN too while you’re at it.
• The total gross proceeds from all of your investment sales, if you have any
• Mortgage interest from Form 1098, it you itemize
• The routing and account numbers of your bank account if you are expecting a tax refund or if you will have your payment due automatically withdrawn.

Phil Taylor, CPA – PT Money

My favorite end-of-season tax tip is to make a contribution to a Traditional IRA before you file. If you are eligible to make a tax-deferred contribution to a Traditional IRA, and you do so before you file your taxes, the contribution can be designated as previous year.  Meaning, you can deduct the current year contribution on your tax return you are filing for the previous year. For example, a $5,000 contribution to a Traditional IRA on April 15^th, 2013 would net a $1,250 deduction from someone in the 25% marginal tax bracket on his or her 2012 tax return. This is a great way to save for your retirement and save on taxes at the same time.

Jim Wang – Bargaineering

Maintain a list of all the documents you received this tax season. This will help you remember to include important documents this year if you haven’t yet filed and next year as the documents start coming in the mail and you wonder whether or not you’ve received everything in order to do your taxes. You should have a list of every institution that sent you a 1099, such as 1099-INTs from all your bank accounts that paid out interest, as well as other forms such as K-1s from partnerships and W-2s from your employer(s). Then, as the documents come in, you can use your list as a checklist to see who else is left. Remember to amend that document if you close accounts or add new ones.

Once you file your 2012 tax return, you won’t need many of the documents you used anymore. Scan them and shred the paper copies. If you are a little paranoid, keep the paper copies for, at most, six years (that’s the period of limitations if you fail to report income) and then dispose of them. Having an electronic copy is almost always as good as a paper copy so scan, shred, and recycle the old documents. When you scan them, make sure to store them in a secure location with adequate backups.

Elle Martinez – Couple Money

With the peak of tax season just about wrapped up, my tax tip for everyone is to review and automate. Once our taxes are submitted and we take a week or so to get our minds off of them, we then plan ahead on how we can improve for filing next year.

Using TurboTax for the last few years has actually made it easier to look over all the numbers and we can compare how did this year to how we did last year. Since we file for both personal and business, I use that data as motivation to be more organized with so I can find all the receipts and paperwork I need.

On the personal side we need to have a system for our donation receipts for when we go through possible deductions that we may qualify for. As for my business, I have to refine my storage so I can pull out supply receipts easily come tax time.

Besides keeping receipts our review for the past year showed that we can invest a little bit more for our long term future. We’ll taking advantage of  starting our toddler’s college fund and contributing more to both of our IRAs. Having this review also meant that we shopped around to found a brokerage that can manage our IRAs with lower costs than we’re currently using. Hopefully by the end of the month we’ll have that all finished.

Intuit TurboTax created a health care calculator to help you find out if you’re eligible for health insurance through a state or federal Marketplace, Medicaid, or Medicare or if you’re already set with your existing health insurance plan.  It will also let you know, if you qualify for a tax credit or subsidy from the government to help you purchase your health insurance.

Check it out to learn how health care reform impacts you so that you can make the best decisions for your health and your wallet.

Every year there are tens of millions of taxpayers that wait until the last minute to file their taxes. Doing so will not only cause stress but might also put you in jeopardy of not being able to complete them before April 15, and possibly face penalties from the IRS.

So if you’re one of those late-filers – what are you waiting for!? With only a few weeks left before the April 15 deadline, we at TurboTax want to make sure all of your tax questions are answered and that you feel empowered to file your own taxes and keep the money you deserve

To share some important last-minute tips to help you file your taxes within a short period of time, financial expert and TurboTax spokesperson Mike Periu will be hosting a live tweetchat in Spanish on Thursday, April 4 at 9 – 10 p.m. EST / 6 – 7 p.m. PST.

By using the hashtag #TurboTaxChat in your tweets during the event, you’ll be able to join in the conversation and ask your questions on:

• How to take advantage of credits and deductions you deserve
• How filing your taxes online will help you save time and money
• What is an extension and how to file it properly
• And much more!

There might be a lot of reasons why you haven’t filed your taxes. Whatever they may be, don’t miss the opportunity to empower yourself with more knowledge during this tweetchat and file your taxes as soon as possible to keep more of your hard earned money!

Tweetchat with @MikePeriu and @TurboTax

Thursday, April 4, 2013

9 – 10 p.m. EST / 8 – 9 p.m. CST / 6 – 7 p.m. PST

#TurboTaxChat

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Cada año, millones de contribuyentes esperan hasta el último momento para declarar sus impuestos. Esperar no solo te causará estrés pero también te pone en peligro de no poder terminar tu declaración antes del 15 de abril, y posiblemente meterte en problemas con el IRS.

Si todavía no has declarado tus impuestos – ¿qué estás esperando?  Solo quedan algunas semanas antes de la fecha límite del 15 de abril, y aquí en TurboTax queremos estar seguros de que tengas las respuestas a todas tus preguntas y que te sientas seguro/a de poder declarar tus propios impuestos y quedarte con el dinero que te mereces.

Mike Periu, experto en finanzas y portavoz de TurboTax, estará compartiendo unos consejos muy importantes que te ayudarán a declarar tus impuestos en poco tiempo. Lo hará durante un Tweetchat en español que se llevará a cabo el jueves 4 de abril, entre 9-10 p.m. EST / 6-7 p.m. PST.

Para ser parte de la conversación y hacer tus preguntas, incluye el hashtag #TurboTaxChat en tus tweets durante el evento. Temas a tratar incluirán:

• Cómo tomar ventaja de los créditos y deducciones que te mereces
• Cómo ahorrarte tiempo y dinero al declarar tus impuestos en línea
• Qué es una extensión, y cómo procesarla correctamente
• ¡Y mucho más!

Es posible que tengas muchas razones por las cuales todavía no hayas declarado tus impuestos. Sean las que sean, no te pierdas de la oportunidad de aprender de este tema tan importante y poder declarar tus impuestos en cuanto antes, y así poder quedarte con más de tu dinero.

Tweetchat con @MikePeriu y @TurboTax

Jueves 4 de abril, 2013

9 – 10 p.m. EST / 8 – 9 p.m. CST / 6 – 7 p.m. PST

#TurboTaxChat

TurboTax CPA Select connects you online to a qualified CPA without having to leave the comfort of your home. Intuit TurboTax has long been the leader in do-it-yourself online tax preparation, now, we’re offering a ‘do-it-for-me’ solution for individuals and small business owners who want a credentialed and highly qualified CPA to prepare their return.

Have a CPA prepare your return in just three easy steps:
1.       Go online to Intuit TurboTax CPA Select to find and choose a qualified CPA. Choose from a national network of CPAs, based on background information and experience, as well as user-submitted reviews and feedback. All of the CPAs are qualified and pre-screened.
2.       Agree on clear, upfront pricing. Receive an estimate of how much the preparation of your taxes will cost and choose to accept or reject the offer, and/or receive a full breakdown of charges.
3.       Securely upload tax documents anytime, from anywhere. Easily upload your prior year return along with any documents for the current year’s taxes – 1099s, W2s, etc – and the CPA will begin working on your tax return.

With TurboTax CPA Select, you can be located anywhere in the country and collaborate with the CPA doing your taxes using a secure online connection, with options to also connect via phone, video, text or email. TurboTax CPA Select offers convenience with guaranteed satisfaction and your maximum refund possible from a state-certified CPA, with fixed pricing that does not change.

TurboTax offers a wide range of tax preparation services to meet your needs. No matter what you choose, our experts are by your side, every step of the way so you can be confident you’re getting every penny you deserve.

Intuit released fixes today to resolve programming errors in our consumer and professional tax products and is communicating directly with affected customers who file returns in the state of Minnesota. We’ve had all hands on deck to address these issues and reassure the state and our customers that our Minnesota state products are accurate and complete.
Intuit is continuing to work closely with the Minnesota State Department of Revenue to fully resolve any remaining impact to customers’ returns. We remain committed to ongoing and transparent communication in service to Minnesota taxpayers
Intuit will issue refunds to affected Minnesota state TurboTax customers for the full amount of their tax preparation fees.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience and delays this caused our customers,” said Bob Meighan, vice president at Intuit. “Nothing is more important than delivering an accurate return to our customers and building the trust and confidence professional preparers and taxpayers have in Intuit.”
TurboTax online products are automatically updated; desktop users will need to download the fixes when using the product.

For additional information on specific issues:

http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/newsroom/Documents/20130311_Intuit_Updates.pdf

Who can I claim as a dependent?

Your significant other is probably many things to you—but is he or she also a tax deduction? The question of who you can claim as a dependent has confused taxpayers for years.

The short answer: You can claim a “qualifying child” or “qualifying relative” if they meet specific requirements related to residence, relationship to you, age, financial support provided and income. And yes, you may be able to claim a girlfriend, boyfriend, domestic partner or friend as a qualifying relative in some cases. Claiming dependents can give you a tax deduction worth up to $3,800 per dependent and also make you eligible for many other tax deductions like the Earned Income Tax Credit.

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit and How Do I Claim it?

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit for low to middle income wage earners that has lifted nearly 7 million people out of poverty, however many people still miss it. Why do so many people miss it? Many think they don’t make enough to file their taxes so they don’t claim it. You have to file your taxes to get this valuable tax credit, which may help a family with three dependents receive a credit worth up to $5,891.

Does healthcare reform impact my 2012 taxes?

There’s been a lot of confusion about healthcare reform and taxes. Rest assured, the requirement to purchase healthcare does not impact your 2012 or 2013 taxes. You do not have to purchase health insurance until January 2014 and there may be a few exceptions based on income, religious beliefs, and citizenship. You will not see changes to your taxes related to the purchase of health insurance until your 2014 taxes are filed in 2015 if you buy healthcare coverage at a health insurance exchange.

Are unemployment benefits taxable?

The unemployment rate has dipped to 7.9 percent vs. 8.3 percent in January 2013. But that’s little comfort to the jobless who find out their unemployment income is taxable income. The good news is that job search and moving expenses may be tax-deductible. See the next question for more details.

Can I deduct the cost of searching for a job? Are moving expenses for my new job tax deductible?

Job seekers may be able to deduct many expenses related to their search: printing resumes, fees for employment and outplacement agencies, career seminar costs and business-related travel. Moving expenses relevant to your job search may be deductible if you meet the distance and time test.

What are the tax implications of withdrawing money early from a retirement account to pay bills or debt?

In difficult economic times, many people start eyeing their retirement accounts to pay off bills or debt. While it is your money, you may be unaware of the impacts of withdrawing from your nest egg. Withdrawing money early from a retirement account comes with a 10 percent tax penalty in addition to the regular income tax on the amount withdrawn. There can be other consequences, too. The retirement money may bump you into a higher tax bracket, which can result in the taxation of other income, such as social security, that you wouldn’t have been taxed on otherwise.

What are qualified education expenses? And when can I file?

College tuition skyrockets every year, but the U.S. government provides incentives with education credits and deductions. For example, the American Opportunity Credit, which was extended through 2012, benefits full-time and part-time college students with a maximum $2,500 credit per student, provided you meet modified adjusted gross income requirements.

My house foreclosed, how does that impact my taxes?

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act survived the recent ‘fiscal cliff,’ receiving a one-year extension through 2013. This means you don’t have to pay taxes on the loss of your home through foreclosure or short sale, up to $2 million (or $1 million if married filing separately).

I started my own business; can I deduct my home office expenses?

Many entrepreneurs are reluctant to write off the business use of their home for fear of being audited. But home office expenses are a legitimate tax deduction you shouldn’t miss out on. Keep in mind the space you claim as a home office should be used exclusively and regularly for that purpose.

Will January tax law changes impact my taxes?

On Jan. 1, 2013, Congress kept the U.S. from going over the ‘fiscal cliff’ by passing The American Tax Relief Act of 2012. The act includes a permanent extension of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch, the permanent reduction of tax rates and the reinstatement of several tax deductions, including the Educator Expense Deduction, the Tuition and Fees Deduction, and state sales taxes in lieu of state income taxes.

I was impacted by a natural disaster in 2012. What tax breaks are available to me?

Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters last year left many picking up the pieces, filing insurance claims, and wondering how it will affect their taxes. It’s possible to take a tax deduction for property loss claims not compensated by insurance, or in some special cases, when you’re still waiting for compensation. These are known as casualty losses and include hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, fire—even vandalism and shipwrecks.

What if I still have questions?

TurboTax is here for you. Only TurboTax let’s you talk to tax experts who are CPAs, IRS enrolled agents, and tax attorneys while you prepare your taxes, free.

The IRS began accepting the last group of forms impacted by late tax legislation today, Monday, March 4.

This includes:

• Residential Energy Credit(Form 5695) – This tax credit may save you up to $500 if you purchased energy efficient windows, doors, roofs, and insulation.
• Mortgage Interest Credit (Form 8396) –  Lower income individuals may receive an additional tax credit for part of their home mortgage interest paid.

Most of the other forms are related to business tax credits or tax credits and deductions that impact more complex tax returns.  For a complete list of forms please see the IRS list of forms.

Have any of the forms mentioned?  If you do, don’t worry.  TurboTax is up to date with all tax law changes, so you can file today and feel confident that you will get every tax deduction and credit you deserve.

The IRS began accepting tax returns for the vast majority of taxpayers on January 30. As of today, March 4, the IRS began accepting and processing all 2012 tax returns..

Have a question?  Only TurboTax lets you talk to CPAs, IRS enrolled agents, and tax attorneys while you prepare your taxes, free.

Whatever your tax needs are, TurboTax has the right product for you with its iOS and Android apps:

• SnapTax - Available for iOS and Android devices, TurboTax SnapTax lets you begin your tax return by simply snapping a photo of your W-2 form with your device’s camera. SnapTax is designed for taxpayers filing a 1040EZ return and has expanded to 1040A, to include those who claim dependents or the earned income tax credit (EITC). After answering a few simple questions, you can e-file within the app or securely transfer your tax information for e-filing to TurboTax Online.

• TurboTax for iPad - A free app that lets you prepare and file your tax return without getting off the couch. Using TurboTax for iPad, you can snap a photo of your W-2 (iPad mini and iPad with Retina display only). From there, you’ll get step-by-step guidance and free one-on-one tax advice from tax experts as you prepare your return. When you’re done, you can securely e-file—all from your iPad!

• TaxCaster - A free, easy way to get a quick estimate of your tax refund. Once you enter some basic information, TaxCaster estimates your tax refund amount using the TurboTax tax calculator. TaxCaster is available for iPhone and iPad as well as Android devices.

• MyTaxRefund - A free app available for iPhone and iPads and Android devices. After e-filing, you can use MyTaxRefund to easily track the status of federal and state tax returns. MyTaxRefund tells you when to expect your federal refund payment based on IRS projections.

All the TurboTax mobile apps are free, and e-filing starts at no cost for simple federal tax returns. Learn more about TurboTax mobile apps and e-filing pricing, or visit the Apple iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon app stores to download.

The program is a public-private partnership between the federal government and private tax preparation companies, including TurboTax maker Intuit. Companies that participate must adhere to strict privacy and security guidelines.

People with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $57,000 or less can select from more than a dozen online tax preparation services.  That means about 70 percent of all taxpayers, or 95 million people, are eligible to use these free services.

Additionally, anyone, regardless of their income, can use the Free File Fillable Forms at irs.gov. It’s a free, simple forms utility that’s basically the electronic equivalent of a paper 1040 along with associated schedules and forms. You just type in the numbers and it does the math for you.

Intuit has supported this program for more than a decade. Since the start of the Free File program in 2002, we’ve donated more than 22 million federal and state tax returns through Intuit TurboTax to low and middle-income taxpayers.

For tax year 2012, anyone who has an AGI of $31,000 or less, or is active duty military with an AGI of $57,000 or less, or who qualifies for EITC can use TurboTax Freedom Edition.  Please note, Turbotax Online Freedom Edition is not to be confused with our Federal Free file available on TurboTax.com if you don’t meet these qualifications.

TurboTax Tax Freedom Edition also includes free tax advice from CPAs, IRS Enrolled Agents and tax attorneys via chat.

Additionally, through the IRS web site, TurboTax offers free state tax preparation to qualified taxpayers who file returns in 22 states and the District of Columbia that sponsor their own Free File: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

For more information on the Free File program, visit http://www.taxprephelp.org.

Tax season is here, and with it might come new questions about your taxes or financial situation. One of the most common misconceptions among members of the Hispanic community is that you need to pay someone to prepare your taxes in order to get your biggest refund.

This can be very costly in terms of time and money. You work hard for your money and deserve to keep every penny of it.  By filing your taxes online with TurboTax, you could save an average of $100 or more over going to a tax store.

For this reason, TurboTax gives you the opportunity to learn how to take control of your financial future during a free webinar this upcoming Tuesday, February 26. The session will be led by Mike Periu, a financial expert with more than 14 years of experience in the Hispanic community.

He will share tips on how you can start taking control of your finances, starting with filing your own taxes by the April 15 deadline. Mike will also answer live questions during the webinar.

This webinar will only be in Spanish. To access it, follow these steps:

1.     Go online next Tuesday, February 26  at 7:00 p.m. EST (6:00 p.m. CST / 4:00 p.m. PST)

2.     Click on the following Webex link:

https://turbotax.webex.com/turbotax/onstage/g.php?d=667940175&t=a

3.     Follow the instructions on the screen and enter your city, name and email.

4.     Depending on your computer settings, Webex might ask your permission to install free and safe software.

We know you work hard to earn your money, so don’t miss the opportunity to learn how to keep more of it by taking control of your financial future.

Senior enlisted personnel ranks E-6 to officer can file their federal tax return with TurboTax Military Edition at the discounted price of $24.99.

TurboTax Military Edition was created by active, reserve, and retired military personnel and military spouses to address the specific challenges that come with being a military tax filer. Filers have free, year-round access to certified CPAs, IRS-enrolled agents, and tax attorneys who can provide expert, one-on-one personalized answers to your tax questions.

With step-by-step guidance to help you claim every tax deduction and credit you’re entitled to, TurboTax Military Edition is easy to use and walks you through military specific provisions, including:

• State of residency
• Filing in multiple states
• Combat pay
• BAS and BAH
• Deductions for uniforms, relocation, PCS, and special provisions for the earned income tax credit

Military members are already seeing the benefits of filing their taxes through a product designed by the military, for the military. Here’s what they’re saying:

• Polluelo, Fort Bragg, NC: “I would like to thank TurboTax for supporting the troops by giving this service for free. I will recommend TurboTax to everybody. Thank you again. Companies like TurboTax make serving our country easier.”
• MonicaCharly, Van Nuys, CA: “It was totally easy to do my own taxes, I was scared to try it for fear that I would screw up and end up having to pay an exorbitantly huge amount of money to fix! You guys made it so simple, explained everything.”
• Ypbenji, Holloman AFB, NM: “Way better than H&R Block! Love love love! Can’t believe I’ve done my taxes with H&R Block for the last 3 years. Even after the military, TurboTax will be our way to go to file!”

Setting aside a small amount of money in a safe place allows people to manage unexpected events, opens up opportunities for education and helps families build future financial security.

Tax time is the ideal time to think about saving. Lower-income families, especially those eligible for tax credits, can receive tax refunds that amount to as much as 20% of their annual incomes.  For many, tax time is the only time all year that they can save money.

“Buying a U.S. Savings Bond with your tax refund is an easy way to start saving”, said Bernie McKay, director of The American Tax & Financial Center at TurboTax. “You only need $50 to get started and you’ll earn interest so your money starts growing immediately. Tax time is the perfect time to get your financial house in order and  jumpstart saving for the future for you and the people you care about.”

Why Series I Bonds?

U.S. Savings Bonds are a simple and versatile savings opportunity for average American working families.

Sold in denominations of as little as $50, Series I bonds, the type available for purchase through TurboTax, are available to every taxpayer who receives at least $50 in tax refunds. Taxpayers can use a portion of their tax refund to buy bonds and have the remainder deposited into a bank account or pre-paid debit card.

Savings bonds can be purchased as gifts for others, and many purchasers save for their children’s education.

SaveYourRefund Sweepstakes

The SaveYourRefund Sweepstakes makes taxpayers a winner this tax season with chances to win $250 in weekly drawings or a grand prize of $25,000 by saving just $50 of their federal refund! Beginning February 1, 2013 and running through April 15th, 2013, all U.S. Citizens and legal residents over age 18 that are due a federal tax refund can save a portion of that refund using IRS Form 8888 and enter the sweepstakes.

The Sweepstakes, offered through Doorway2Dreams, a non-profit organization committed to improving the financial lives of Americans. will award multiple weekly prizes of $250 and all entrants will be eligible for a chance at winning the $25,000 Grand Prize. Visit http://www.SaveYourRefund.com to submit your entry.

Everyone at TurboTax is proud to help our customers and their families save for their futures. In fact, TurboTax has been a significant contributor to tax-time savings. Over the past three years, more than 75,000 tax filers have purchased U.S. Savings Bonds and accumulated more than $40 million for themselves and their loved ones.

The WEb Connector, available in English and Spanish, helps hard working Californians navigate upcoming requirements for health care coverage and determine eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, WIC, health care programs, auto insurance and more.

It’s fast. It’s free. It’s confidential. And within minutes, it could help put money back in your pocket. The Earned Income Tax Credit alone could help boost an eligible taxpayers’ refund by up to $5,891.

The WEb Connector is part of WE Connect, a program established in 2005 by First Lady Maria Shriver and now run by The California Endowment. WE Connect is a one-stop-shop for connecting families to programs that often go underutilized.

Intuit, maker of TurboTax, and its Financial Freedom Foundation are proud to be founding partners of WE Connect and the developers of the WEb Connector.

1. E-file your tax return – Congratulations on finishing taxes, the hard part is over! Now you just have to sit tight and count the days until you receive your refund.
2. Check the status of your e-filed return – Approximately 24-48 hours after you have e-filed your tax return, you will receive an email from the IRS letting you know that your tax return has been accepted!  If your return was not accepted, visit this FAQ.  If for some reason you do not receive an email, you can check the status of your e-filed return here.
3. Start tracking your refund –  About 24-48 hours after the IRS accepts your tax return, you can start tracking your refund. The IRS expects to issue more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days upon acceptance.  You can track your refund at the IRS Where’s My Refund tool or by logging into your MyTurboTax account.
4. Your tax refund is here – If you chose direct deposit when you filed your return, you’ll need to allow 1-2 business days for your bank or financial institution to process it and have it available for you once the IRS has released it. If you didn’t choose direct deposit, the IRS will mail you your tax refund check, which could take 6-8 weeks.

Of course times may vary based on your situation.  Click here to see a list of tax forms that the IRS is not accepting yet.

TurboTax is up to date with all recent tax law changes so you can file now with confidence.

Our tax pros are here for you every step of the way. And at TurboTax, if you have a question, you get expert answers from only qualified and credentialed tax professionals.

Just give us a call and an experienced tax expert will answer your tax questions.

More and more Americans choose to do their own taxes with TurboTax to get their maximum refund possible and save more of their hard-earned money. Last year alone, more than 25 million people used TurboTax including nurses, teachers, firefighters, U.S. service men and women and people like you.

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