How To Find It On The IRS Website

Overview of how to navigate the www.IRS.gov during tax season

Computer Note: You can “increase” font size on most websites by holding down the CTRL key and then at the same time tap the + (plus) key. To “decrease” the font size on the entire page, just tap the – (dash) instead. This key combination works on the majority of websites.

Homepage at www.IRS.gov overview here, but take the time to also check out all the links on the many pages of the IRS website. The most important sections for tax season for the majority of the population are on the left and upper center of the homepage. Here you will find all the links you need going directly to information needed to fully complete an individual tax return. Additional pages that are easy to find from the homepage of other tax return resources for businesses are on the www.IRS.gov website as well.

Format of the website is very easy to read and understand. At the top right of the www.IRS.gov website are links on every page. Look for "Home" link here to come back to this homepage when on another page within the website. Also a link to display in Spanish is located here labeled as Espanol. Look for the Contact IRS and About IRS links, plus a Help link as well. The Site Map link shows links to all the IRS pages on one page.

Below the top right links is a Search box. This is a great place to start if you want to search for something specific not on the homepage. There are also Advanced Search and Search Tips choices that come up when you click on Search first.

Next are several buttons across the homepage dividing sections of information labeled Individuals, Businesses, Charities and Non-Profits, Government Entities, Tax Professionals, Retirement Plans Community, and Tax Exempt Bond Community. When you click on any one of these buttons you are provided an easy to read page of resources specific to that topic.

Below the buttons on the upper left are links to the most frequently requested forms that people need in order to file their taxes. These are exact copies of the paper forms and the instructions you find at the library or post office. These are not the electronic filing forms. The list starts with the top five forms for the majority of the population. When you click on the link the form opens up in PDF format, ready to be filled out online, then printed, and snail mailed with supporting documents. They do NOT open in a separate window, UNLESS you right click on the form link, and then click on "Open Link in New Window" for Firefox, or “Open in New Window” for Internet Explorer to do so. Doing this will keep your IRS homepage there in case you need to do further research while filling out the form. These are not the forms used to electronically file (e-file) a tax return. There is a different section of links explained below for e-filing. Below the list of the top five form links is a link called "More Forms and Publications" providing additional links and also publications that are very helpful.

Below the forms on the left is “Online Tools” with links the IRS has setup as most useful during tax season. The first one called Where’s My Refund? is a link for you to lookup the status of your refund after it has been filed. Then below that are three links to electronic filing locations approved by the IRS. Check the details carefully to see which one offers free e-filing, and what is, or is not, included with the free service. Starting here in researching for an online e-file location is much safer, being that they are endorsed by the IRS on their website. Below the “Online Tools” links is another link to called More Online Tools that may be very helpful.

The next section across the page is the center top area. Here you will find a link called Rebate Questions? about all the concerns people may have regarding the latest stimulus package and rebates. This is a very important link to help everyone understand the details and questions regarding these rebates. To avoid all scams, this is the only place to come to when you have any rebate questions about the government stimulus package. TO AVOID ALL SCAMMERS DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OTHER INFORMATION ANYWHERE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT STIMULUS PACKAGE EXCEPT HERE ON THE www.IRS.gov WEBSITE.

Next in the center column is the top e-file choice the IRS is promoting. The link Use Free File To Prepare Your Taxes goes to the same page as the first e-file link under “Online Tools.” You can choose whichever e-file site you prefer however.

A great section many people will find useful is the Visit 1040 Central where you will find all the forms, schedules, instructions, and other resources assisting in completing any 1040, or variation thereof, tax return. This section is for individuals, not businesses.

A very important section for everyone to read is the Warning on Identity Theft Scams which explains in detail what types of tricks and schemes, online and also offline, that scammers are creating to try to steal identity from people. Come back here often to find new and updated warnings posted. Basically use common sense in deciding who you trust when dealing with other’s via email or any other communication method.

The next section near the bottom of the middle column has several other links to other important sections on the www.IRS.gov website. This section is very helpful in staying up to date with IRS information throughout the year.

On the right side of the homepage under “I need to…” is a drop-down topic menu. These are popular search choices further assisting you to obtain information quicker on one of the listed topics. Below this box are a couple more popular links to tax seasonal topics, such as “Earned Income Tax Credit” information.

Many questions can be answered by the everyday person who takes full advantage of all the resources at www.IRS.gov. There is much more on this website than just tax form information for the tax season alone. Sit down with a long cup of coffee as you research all the IRS website has to offer throughout the entire year as you make financial decisions. My articles are for the purpose of focusing on helping people learn more about what the www.IRS.gov website has to offer and how to navigate to find it.