The Everett Washington Herald has put together a useful article with 6 things everyone should know for tax season. You can find a portion of their list below, or the full text at HeraldNet.com.
Three more days: Federal taxpayers have until April 18 rather than the normal April 15 to file returns this year.
File for free: The IRS "Free File" program is up and running. It is a chance to prepare and file your federal return for free. Go to IRS.gov if your adjusted gross income is $58,000 or less.
No account? No problem: If you do not have a bank account, keep an eye out for a pilot program that offers a low-cost way to speed tax refunds.
The Department of Treasury recently mailed out letters to 600,000 low- and moderate-income individuals nationwide who have limited or no access to a traditional bank account.
Taxpayers who receive the letters can consider activating a MyAccountCard Visa Prepaid Debit Card in time to have their 2010 federal income tax refunds directly deposited onto those cards.
Such cards sure beat the high cost of a refund anticipation loan.
Download paperwork: Tackle the tax season one piece of paperwork at a time.
Start finding the current 1099 forms for the bank accounts, CDs, etc., that you had on the 2009 return.