2010 Tax Quick Guide - Government Documents Information

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2011 Tax Quick Guide

Looking for tax forms and hints? This brief guide provides selected links to federal and state forms, and tips offered by tax professionals. Consult Taxes at http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/busdoc/taxes.html for more detail.

Disclaimer: Library staff lack training as tax professionals and cannot answer tax-related questions. Use the links on this Web site and the tax materials available in the library or online at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional if you need assistance preparing tax returns.

The following documentation is usually required when completing taxes:

Social Security number.
Identification.
Date of birth for you, spouse and dependents.
Wage and earning statement(s), Forms W-2 and 1099, from all employers.
Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099).
A copy of last year's federal and state tax returns if available.
Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.

Those purchasing services from tax professionals should be aware of the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (http://www.tax.ny.gov/tp/cbr/default.htm).

Federal Taxes

Forms and Publications (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/formspubs/index.html
Links to federal tax forms and background documentation. Coverage begins with 1990.

1040.com (Drake Software)
http://www.1040.com/federal-taxes/
Covers filing basics, tax rates, income withholding, dependents, tax credits, deductions, refunds, payments, the IRS calendar, tax forms and publications, and prior year information. This site also includes online calculators, a tax estimator, and fee-based online tax services.

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State Taxes

New York State Tax Forms (New York State. Department of Taxation and Finance)
http://www.tax.ny.gov/
Provides information for individual and business taxes, plus links for tax professionals and the media.

State Tax Department Websites (Drake Software)
http://www.1040.com/state-taxes/state-tax-department-websites/
Links to tax Web sites of all 50 states.

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Tax Tips (See the disclaimer above)

H & R Block

Tax Preparation Checklist: What You’ll Need to File
http://www.hrblock.com/offices/tax-preparation-checklist.html
A tax preparation checklist for individuals covers:

Personal Information
Other people who may belong on your return
Education Payments
Employee Information
Self-Employment Information
Vehicle Information
Rental Income
Retirement Income
Savings and Investments
Other Income
Itemizing Deductions
IRA
Information If you were affected by a federally declared disaster

A checklist for small businesses deals with:

Income
Transportation and Travel Expenses
Additional Expenses, such as
Advertising
Commissions paid to subcontractors
Depreciation
Fringe benefits
Business insurance
Interest expense
Office supplies
Rent expense
Office-in-home
Wages paid to employees
Other expenses
Tax Tips and Calculators
http://www.hrblock.com/free-tax-tips-calculators/index.html
Includes a 2011 tax estimator, a form that asks tax questions, tax articles, a tax blog, and the latest tax advice.

Tax Credit Reporting Service for Students (Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.)
http://www.1098-t.com/
Intended to help students determine their eligibility for the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits.

Tax Information For Individuals (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/index.html

Tax Tools (Drake Enterprises)
http://www.1040.com/tax-tools
Includes a tax estimator, tax calculators, and related publications, forms, and worksheets.

TaxAct.com (Story Software, Inc.)
http://www.2ndstorysoftware.com
Download free software for completing basic federal tax forms, and purchase software for completing more complicated federal returns and state forms.

Your Federal Income Tax For Individuals, Tax Guide 2011. Publication 17 (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf
A comprehensive guide that covers all aspects of federal income taxes.

Tax Clinics

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator
http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action
Enter your zip code to locate places that offer tax services to the elderly and to those with limited incomes.

Beta Alpha Psi (National Honor Society for Accounting and Finance Students--affiliated with the State University at Buffalo. School of Management)
Beta Alpha Psi offers free tax preparation services for those whose annual income is below $50,000. UB employees and students are encouraged to take advantage of this service and to invite their families and neighbors to do the same. Direct questions and concerns to mgt-freetaxprep@buffalo.edu or 716-748-9823 and a volunteer will respond within 48 hours. See http://mgt.buffalo.edu/taxprep2012 for dates, times, locations, maps, and frequently asked questions.

CASH Coalition of Buffalo in collaboration with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
Provides free online tax preparation services to households with incomes less than $57,000 in 2011. Visit http://www.myfreetaxes.com/cashbuffalo for more information. Uncomfortable doing your own taxes, call 2-1-1 or 851-5555 to find a community agency, including selected colleges and universities, that will prepare taxes without charge for income qualified households.

Free Tax Preparation at Buffalo State College
http://www.wkbw.com/around-town/local-events/113386204.html

International Student and Scholar Services (University at Buffalo)
http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/tax.html
Provides basic Webcasts and other basic information international students need to complete their federal and state taxes. Call 716-645-2258 if you have questions.

Tax Preparation
http://www.cashbuffalo.org/sitepages/RESOURCES_tax_prep.html

Tax Return Preparation Tips (Timothy C Fillipponi CPA)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jShBPRYiWI&feature=related
Brief video presentations describe 10 tax tips.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) andTax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html
IRS certified volunteers provide free tax services for qualified individuals. Enter your zip code to locate the place closest to your home.

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