Questions and Answers
Q. How does IRS e-file work?
A. After we prepare your return, you sign your electronic tax
return by either using a Self-Select PIN for e-file for a
completely paperless return, or by signing Form 8453. See "If
the return is electronic, how do I sign it?" for more information.
We then transmit your return to the IRS for processing. Once
received at the IRS, the return is automatically checked by IRS
computers for errors and missing information. If it cannot be
processed, it is sent back to Advanced Tax for the necessary
corrections. After correcting, the return is retransmitted to the IRS.
Within 48 hours (two workdays) of transmission, the IRS sends an
acknowledgment to Advanced Tax stating the return is accepted for
processing. This is your proof of filing and assurance that the IRS
has your return information.
If due a refund, you can expect to receive it in approximately
three weeks (half the time as when filed on paper) from the
acknowledgment date - even faster with Direct Deposit . If you owe
tax, see "What if I owe Money?" for payment options
available this year.
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Q. How will I know that the IRS really has my return?
A. The IRS lets us know that it has received your return
information within two workdays of transmission. If IRS detects any
errors, it sends an error message to correct and retransmit the return
to the IRS. Only IRS e-file options offer this advantage.
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Q. If the return is electronic, how do I sign it?
A. The most convenient way for you to sign your electronic return
is to use a self-selected Personal Identification Number (PIN) -- and
it's completely paperless! If you do not choose to self-select a PIN,
you simply sign the signature document, Form 8453, U.S. Individual
Income Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return. If you are
under the age of 16 and filing your first tax return or if your return
contains a signature form required to be submitted to IRS, you must
use Form 8453.
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Q. How accurate is IRS e-file?
A. IRS e-file returns are virtually error-proof with an
error rate of less than one percent as opposed to the error rate for
paper returns which remains steady between 20 and 21 percent. IRS
e-file greatly reduces the chance that you will get an error
letter from the IRS.
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Q. What if I owe money?
A. Advanced Tax can file your return electronically any time during
the filing season; however, sending the payment for a balance due by
April 15th is still your responsibility. You may file electronically
as soon as you are ready and will receive a confirmation from the IRS
within 48 hours of receipt of your return. You may then pay your
balance due to the IRS by check, direct debit (automatic withdrawal)
directly from your bank, or by credit card. All balance due payments,
regardless of method of payment, must be authorized or sent to the IRS
by April 16 to avoid late payment penalties or interest charges.
To pay by check, make your check payable to the United States
Treasury and mail it, along with the IRS payment voucher (Form
1040-V), to the address indicated on the voucher. For direct debit
(automatic withdrawal), include your bank routing information and
account number on the Form 1040 when you file electronically. You can
designate the exact date (up to and including April 16) that you want
the payment to be withdrawn (by the Department of Treasury financial
agents) from either your checking or savings account at your bank.
Credit card payments are available for filers who file through an
Authorized IRS e-file Provider, through commercial tax
preparation software or through TeleFile. Your Authorized IRS
e-file Provider can provide additional details on any of these
payment methods.
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Q. Is there a fee for IRS e-file?
A. The IRS does not charge a fee for electronic filing. Some
Authorized IRS e-file Providers (EROs) charge a fee for
providing this service to their clients, while Advanced Tax offers it
free of charge when we prepare your return. However, this fee cannot
be based on any figure from the tax return. Fees vary depending upon
the tax professional you choose and the specific services you request.
With IRS e-file you can prepare your own return and pay
Advanced Tax only to transmit it electronically, or you can pay to
have your return both prepared and transmitted. Whichever you choose,
shop around for a tax professional who offers the services you need at
an acceptable cost to you.
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