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Taxes Information |
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Tax Trap #5 -- Ignoring The IRS (and the 5 best ways to contact them!)
We all love to criticize the IRS, don't we? And I'mjust as guilty as anyone. It's easy to ridicule a hugeorganization of government bureaucrats who often seemto be Public Enemy #1. Our negative attitude toward the IRS can lead to astrong desire to just ignore it altogether. Butself-employed people who ignore the IRS do so at theirown peril. So when it comes to providing free information abouttaxes, let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.The IRS does provide some excellent resources to helpus make the best of a potentially bad situation. If you need tax assistance and prefer not to pay for it,do not overlook these five ways to obtain help from the IRS: 1. The Internet http://www.irs.gov There's a wealth of information just for small businessowners and self-employed people at:http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz Here you'll find everything from how to obtain a federalbusiness tax ID to a free 6-session streaming videopresentation of the "IRS Small Business Workshop."Also known as the Small Business Self-Employed OnlineClassroom, you can access this directly at:www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97726,00.html If you prefer to attend an IRS small business workshop inperson, check here to see what's available in your state:www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99202,00.html Need tax forms and/or their instructions?Look no further than the IRS website:http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html Here you'll find a boatload of links to every tax formimaginable, available as downloadable PDF files orin fill-in format. All form instructions can also bedownloaded. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97817,00.html The IRS has many free publications that explain virtuallyevery major (and many minor) tax topics in great detail.Sure, IRS "pubs" are not always written in the mostentertaining style, but, hey, remember the price.http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97819,00.html 2. Telephone Hotlines. Special toll-free numbers exist for the following: -- To order forms & pubs: 800-829-3676(in case you'd like to receive a paper copy via snail-mail) -- To ask business tax questions: 800-829-4933 -- To ask personal tax questions: 800-829-1040Use common sense when phoning the IRS: to avoid longwait times, don't call on Monday morning. And no matterwhen you call, be prepared! Write out your questionsbeforehand and have all relevant documentation in frontof you, as well as a favorite book or magazine to readduring the inevitable wait time. Stay calm; don't yell;treat the IRS employee like a human being and he/shewill likely return the favor. -- Need help with long-standing problems: 877-777-4778 -- Prerecorded messages on 140 topics: 800-829-4477 3. TaxFax Service. You can receive most IRS forms instructions via faxby calling 703-368-9694 from your fax machine. 4. CD-ROM for Small Business. This is known as "The Small Business Resource GuideCD-ROM", aka Publication 3207. It includes all thetax forms and publications needed to run a smallbusiness. Call 800-829-3676 to request a free copy. 5. Walk-In Offices. Need some face-to-face tax help? For a completelist of IRS offices in all 50 states, includinghours of operation and contact info, check out:http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts Wayne M. Davies is author of 3 tax-slashing eBooks forthe self-employed, available separately or as a 3-volumeset, "The Ultimate Small Business Tax Reduction Guide".http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com/ultimate-guide To get your free copy of Wayne's 25-page report,"How To Instantly Double Your Deductions" visit:http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com
MORE RESOURCES: BLAKELY — Garbage fees will rise, but Blakely Borough Council doesn’t plan to hike electric rates or add property taxes as part of its proposed 2009 budget presented this week. MARBLEHEAD and mdash; Homeowners will pay more in property taxes next year. A tax rate of $8.99 and mdash; up from $8.34 and mdash; was announced Wednesday by assistant assessor Michael Tumulty. That translates into a bill for the median single-family homeowner that rises from $4,511 to $4,665. It's an increase of $114 or 3.4 percent. GREENFIELD - The value of single-family homes in the city has dropped, but the tax rate is projected to rise, yielding an overall increase in taxes for the average homeowner. The Three Gorges Project has turned over a total 20.277 billion yuan in national taxes since its first generating unit began operation on July 10, 2003, according to the State Administration of Taxation of the Three Gorges dam zone in Yichang, Hubei province. Since the first turbine generator was put in use, there are now 26 turbine generators in operation as of October 30 this year. By adding ... ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesotans are set to pay more property taxes next year if a number of proposed local tax levies are adopted. The government should move to collect taxes on assets to help close off loopholes in the tax system and raise funds to develop the country's social safety net, according to local academics. The Treasurer Michael Aird is not ruling out new taxes as Tasmania faces financial circumstances he is calling exceptional. Despite a stable general fund budget and no projected increase in real estate taxes, there was a downside to the Loyalsock Township budget work session Thursday afternoon. It involved another sewer rate increase as the township deals with federal- and state-mandated sewer system improvements. Residents will see a 15-percent increase in sewer rates for 2009. (Springfield, MO) -- Have you got your property tax bill in the mail yet? Notices for real estate and personal property taxes were mailed out in Greene County last week. RALEIGH, N.C. -- Higher taxes or fees for drivers and vehicle owners could be on the horizon if the Legislature agrees with recommendations tentatively approved Wednesday by a state transportation panel. The 21st Century Transportation Committee asked the General Assembly to consider raising the automobile sales tax and vehicle registration fees or even charging motorists for how many miles they ... |
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