Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Google Tax Questions
Take a look at your 1099s and realize that it will take you longer to file your tax return this year? Wondering if you got caught in a new bracket after Congress passed the new tax law?
Google has provided us with answers to your most searched tax questions. While I can’t tell you exactly where your refund is located, or how best to file your tax return for you personally, here are general answers.
1. When do you have to pay taxes?
Taxes are payable on April 17 this year if you have not served or are serving in the military in a war zone or emergency operation.
2. Where is my tax refund?
The IRS strives to make all refunds within 21 days of submitting your application if you did so electronically, but it will take longer if you mail your refund.
You can use the IRS2Go IRS App or its online return tool to find out where your return will be, 24 hours after electronically filing, or four weeks after your return is mailed. If you are applying for Earned Income Credit or Supplemental Child Tax Credit, you can check it after February 17, according to The New York Times .
3. How to file a tax return
You can file your tax return in several ways:
- Print the forms (usually a 1040 form), fill them out manually, and submit to the IRS (this will make you more vulnerable to fraudsters as they take longer to process )
- Use tax filing software (many people can file for free)
- Contact the compiler of your tax return
Here is the detailed information you will need.
4. How to file a tax extension
So: you won’t have time to file your tax return before April 18th, or you lack important documents. To avoid late fees, you can apply to the IRS by October 15, 2018.
You will still need to estimate the amount of refund or tax owed, and if this is the latter, you will need to pay by April 17th. You can apply for a tax extension for tax software such as Turbo Tax or EFile. Or mail in Form 4868. The IRS will begin accepting renewals in March.
The government tax expansion varies by state. You can use this directory to figure it out.
5. What tax category am I in?
Here are your 2017 tax categories from the Tax Fund (the lower rates of the new tax law will only take effect next year):
6. How much do you have to do to file your tax return?
To file your tax return, your gross income must be at least:
- Single Enrollment: $ 10,400 if you’re under 65 and $ 11,950 if you’re over 65.
- Joint marriage registration: $ 20,800 if you and your spouse are under 65, $ 22,050 if one of the spouses is under 65 and the other is over 65, or $ 23,300 if you and your spouse is over 65 years old.
- Married filing separately: $ 4050 for all ages ($ 5 if your spouse submits a list)
- Head of household: $ 13,400 if you are under 65, $ 14,950 if you are over 65.
- Eligible widow / widow with dependent child: $ 16,750 if you are under 65 and $ 18,000 if you are over 65.
Forbes has a much broader breakdown .
7. What is FICA Tax?
The FICA, or Federal Contributions Act, is what Medicare and Social Security (Old Age, Survivor and Disability Insurance, or OASDI) fund. This is also called payroll tax. Salaried workers pay different rates than self-employed workers.