USING THE IRS TELE-TAX SERVICE LINE

Many Americans have their tax refund spent before the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) sends the check. However, once you file for a refund, it can often take up to eight weeks or more before the check is mailed, depending on how busy the IRS is at the time. So, how would you like to find out the status of your refund with one toll-free phone call?

The IRS has recorded all refund information on computer and you can check the current status of your refund by calling the IRS Tele-Tax service line Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., from any push-button telephone, or Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., if you are using a rotary-dial telephone. When you call, have your tax return in front of you. You will need to give the first Social Security number shown on your return and the exact amount of the refund from line 65 on page 2 of your 1040 Form, line 8 of your 1040EZ or line 27 of Form 1040A, depending on which of the three forms you filed. In order to find out the toll-free number for your area, call the toll-free 800 service directory (1-800-255-1212).

Would you also like to receive up-to-date answers to some puzzling tax questions?

When you are completing your tax return or working on a strategy to create additional tax deductions, you may need quick answers on subjects such as depreciation, capital gains, or record keeping for a small business. If you have the right tax publications, you’re all set. If you don't, there is another alternative--the recorded tax information provided by the IRS Tele-Tax service.

The IRS has taken the answers to the most commonly asked questions, combined them with the most important rules you need to know on each subject, and recorded the information. This excellent service should be used by more and more people. A recorded voice will provide you with a menu of information from which you can select specific topics.

The IRS is trying to implement these new services in an effort to become "taxpayer-friendly."