Take some of the stress out of tax time with these interesting tips and facts from 1040.com.  Things like which forms to file and when to file them, deductions to claim, which deadlines to meet, why you should file taxes online, and how to deal with charitable contributions. Just click the title you're interested in to expand the information.

• 10 Facts About Mortgage Debt Forgiveness

  Canceled debt is normally taxable to you, but there are exceptions. One of those exceptions is when the debt is partly or entirely forgiven during 2007 through 2012. Here are 10 facts about mortgage debt forgiveness:

  1. Normally, debt forgiveness results in taxable income. However, under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, you may be able to exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on your principal residence.
  2. The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return.
  3. You may exclude debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in a foreclosure.
  4. To qualify, the debt must have been used to buy, build or substantially improve your principal residence and be secured by that residence.
  5. Refinanced debt proceeds used for substantially improving your principal residence also qualify for the exclusion.
  6. Proceeds of refinanced debt used for other purposes - for example, to pay off credit card debt - do not qualify for the exclusion.
  7. If you qualify, claim the special exclusion by filling out Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness, and attach it to your federal income tax return for the tax year in which the qualified debt was forgiven.
  8. Debt forgiven on second homes, rental property, business property, credit cards or car loans does not qualify for the tax relief provision. In some cases, however, other tax relief provisions - such as insolvency - may be applicable. IRS Form 982 provides more details about these provisions.
  9. If your debt is reduced or eliminated you normally will receive a year-end statement, Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, from your lender. By law, this form must show the amount of debt forgiven and the fair market value of any property foreclosed.
  10. Examine the Form 1099-C carefully. Notify the lender immediately if any of the information shown is incorrect. You should pay particular attention to the amount of debt forgiven in Box 2 as well as the value listed for your home in Box 7.

  For more information, see IRS Publication 4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions and Abandonments. The IRS website also has an Interactive Tax Assistant that you can use to determine if your cancelled debt is taxable.
  
• What to do if you're missing a W-2

  If you haven't received a Form W-2 from your employer by January 31, you should take these steps:

  1. Ask your employer if and when the W-2 was mailed. If it was mailed, it may have been returned because of an incorrect or incomplete address. After contacting the employer, allow a reasonable amount of time for the W-2 to be resent.
  2. If you do not receive your W-2 by February 14, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 for help. When you call, you'll need to provide personal information to identify yourself, as well an estimate of the wages you earned, the federal income tax withheld, and when you worked for that employer during 2012. This should be based on year-to-date information from your final pay stub or leave-and-earnings statement, if possible.
  3. You still must file your tax return or request an extension to file by April 15, 2013, even if you do not receive your Form W-2. If you have not received your Form W-2 by the due date, and have completed steps 1 and 2, you may use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Attach Form 4852 to the return, estimating income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible. Any refund may be delayed while the information is verified.
  4. You may receive your missing W-2 after you filed your return using Form 4852, and the information may be different from what you reported on your return. If this happens, you must amend your return by filing a Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form, Instructions).
• Things you need to know about tax refunds

  Are you expecting a tax refund from the IRS this year? Here are the top 10 things you should know about your refund:

  1. Refund options - You have two options for receiving your federal refund: a paper check or a direct deposit.
  2. Separate accounts - You may use Form 8888, Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account, to have your refund split among up to three separate accounts, such as checking or savings or retirement accounts.
  3. Paper return processing time - If your return is complete and accurate, your refund will usually be issued within six weeks from the date the IRS receives it.
  4. E-filed returns - If you file electronically, your refund will normally be issued within three weeks after the acknowledgment date.
  5. Check status online - The fastest and easiest way to find out about your refund is to go to IRS.gov and click on the "Where's My Refund?" link on the home page. You will need your Social Security number, filing status and the exact amount of your refund.
  6. Check status by phone - Call the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954. You will need to your Social Security number, your filing status and the exact amount of your refund.
  7. Delayed refund - For things that may delay the processing of your return, read about common tax return errors.
  8. Larger than expected refund - Do not cash the check until you receive a notice explaining the difference. Follow the instructions on the notice.
  9. Smaller than expected refund - If this happens you may cash the check. If the IRS determines that you should have received more, it will later send the difference. If you did not receive a notice and you have questions about the amount of your refund, wait two weeks and then call 800-829-1040.
  10. Missing refund - The IRS will send you a replacement check for a refund check that is lost or stolen. If the IRS was unable to deliver your refund because you moved, you can change your address online. Once your address has been changed, the IRS can reissue the undelivered check. For more information, visit IRS.gov or call 800-829-1040.
• Why you should e-file

  Filing taxes online is fast, and that's a terrific reason to e-file! But the most important reason is that when you e-file through 1040.com Online Tax Preparation, the program catches math and other common errors, letting you quickly make corrections and try again.

  Make sure the last name of each individual claimed on your tax return is the official last name of the person. If you have any question or doubt as to the official last name of an individual you will be claiming on your return, verify the information with the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

• Tips for preparing your return
  1. File electronically instead of using paper tax forms. If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, you can receive your refund in as few as 10 days.
  2. Check the identification numbers. Carefully check the identification numbers - usually Social Security numbers - for each person on the return. Missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security Numbers can delay or reduce a tax refund.
  3. Double-check your figures. If you are filing a paper return, you should double-check that you have correctly figured the refund or balance due.
  4. Check the tax tables. If you are filing a paper return you should double-check that you have used the right figure from the tax table.
  5. Sign your return. Taxpayers must sign and date their returns. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even if only one had income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign it.
  6. Mail to the correct address. Use the coded envelope included with your tax package to mail your return. If you did not receive an envelope, check the section called "Where Do You File?" in the tax instruction booklet.
  7. Mail a payment correctly. Make any check out to "United States Treasury" and enclose it with, but don't attach it to, your return or Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher. Include your Social Security number, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed.
  8. Consider an electronic payment. Electronic payments are a convenient, safe and secure way to pay taxes. You can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal, or use a credit card or a debit card. For more information on electronic payment options, visit IRS.gov.
  9. Get an extension for your return. By April 15, you should either file a return or request an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.
• Explore your payment options

  If you cannot pay the tax you owe in full by April 15, you should still file your return on time and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. There are also other payment options to consider:

  • Additional time to pay - Depending on your circumstances, the IRS sometimes allows a brief additional amount of time to pay. Request this through the Online Payment Agreement (OPA) application at IRS.gov or call 800.829.1040. If you get an additional 30 to 120 days to pay the tax, you'll usually pay less penalty and interest than if you paid by installment agreement over a longer period.
  • Installment agreement - You can apply for an IRS installment agreement using the OPA application on IRS.gov. This is for taxpayers who owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest. You can find out immediately if you're approved. The OPA option gives you a simple and convenient way to set up an installment agreement, eliminates the need for personal interaction with IRS, and reduces paper processing.
  • Credit or debit card - You can pay your taxes with your credit card or debit card at the Drake E-Payment Center, www.1040paytax.com (877-517-4881).
• Need more time to file?

  If you can't meet the April 15 deadline to file your return, you can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file from the IRS. Here is what you need to know about filing an extension:

  • An extension will give you extra time to get your return to the IRS, but it does not extend the time you have to pay any tax due. You will owe interest on any amount not paid by April 15, plus a late payment penalty if you have not paid at least 90 percent of your tax by then.
  • If your return is completed but you are unable to pay the full amount of tax due, don't request an extension. File on time and pay as much as you can. The IRS will send you a bill or notice for the balance due.
  • Request an extension to file by submitting Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, with the IRS by April 15, or make an extension-related electronic credit card payment. For more information about extension-related credit card payments, see Form 4868.
  • To obtain a copy of Form 4868 or other forms and publications, use e-file tax preparation software, download them from IRS.gov or visit your local IRS office. Forms and publications can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-Form (800-829-3676). However, telephone requests normally take 10 days to fill and may not arrive before the tax deadline of April 15.
• Facts about amended returns

  Taxpayers who need to change a return they already filed can file an amended return. Here are some tips every taxpayer should know about amending a federal return:

  • To amend a return, use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. The same form is used for 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ returns, and for e-filed returns.
  • You should file an amended return if any of the following were reported incorrectly: filing status, dependents, total income, deductions or credits.
  • You usually do not need to file an amended return for math errors - the IRS will make the correction for you. You also do not usually need to file an amended return because you forgot to include forms, such as W-2s or schedules - the IRS normally requests those forms from you.
  • Be sure to enter the year of the return you are amending at the top of Form 1040X. Generally, you must file Form 1040X within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.
  • If you are amending more than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each return and mail them in separate envelopes.
  • If the changes involve another schedule or form, attach it to the 1040X.
  • If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund before filing Form 1040X. You may cash that check while waiting for any additional refund.
  • If you owe additional tax for the year, you should file Form 1040X and pay the tax as soon as possible to limit interest and penalty charges. Interest is charged on any tax not paid by the due date of the original return, even if you filed an extension.
• Eight facts about filing status

  If your marriage status changes during the year, it can confuse the issue of which filing status to use on your return. Here are eight facts about the five filing status options to help you choose the best option for your situation.

  1. Your marital status on the last day of the year determines your marital status for the entire year.
  2. If more than one filing status applies to you, choose the one that gives you the lowest tax obligation.
  3. Single filing status generally applies to anyone who is unmarried, divorced or legally separated according to state law.
  4. A married couple may file a joint return together. The couple's filing status would be Married Filing Jointly.
  5. If your spouse died during the year and you did not remarry during 2012, usually you may still file a joint return with that spouse for the year of death.
  6. A married couple may elect to file their returns separately. Each person's filing status would generally be Married Filing Separately.
  7. Head of Household generally applies to taxpayers who are unmarried. You must also have paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for you and a qualifying person to qualify for this filing status.
  8. You may be able to choose Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child as your filing status if your spouse died during 2010 or 2011, you have a dependent child and you meet certain other conditions. There's much more information about determining your filing status in IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.
• Six facts about dependents and exemptions

  Here are six important facts about dependents and exemptions that will help you file your 2012 tax return:

  1. Exemptions reduce your taxable income. There are two types of exemptions: personal exemptions and exemptions for dependents. For each exemption you can deduct $3,800 on your 2012 tax return.
  2. Your spouse is never considered your dependent. On a joint return, you may claim one exemption for yourself and one for your spouse. If you're filing a separate return, you may claim the exemption for your spouse only if they had no gross income, are not filing a joint return, and were not the dependent of another taxpayer.
  3. Exemptions for dependents. You generally can take an exemption for each of your dependents. A dependent is your qualifying child or qualifying relative. You must list the Social Security Number of any dependent for whom you claim an exemption.
  4. If someone else claims you as a dependent, you may still have to file your own return. Whether you must file a return depends on several factors, including your income, your marital status, any special taxes you owe and any advance Earned Income Tax Credit payments you received.
  5. If you are a dependent, you may not claim an exemption. If someone else claims you as a dependent, you may not claim your personal exemption on your own tax return.
  6. Some people cannot be claimed as your dependent. Generally, you may not claim a married person as a dependent if that person files a joint return with his or her spouse. Also, to claim someone as a dependent, that person must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national or resident of Canada or Mexico for some part of the year. There is an exception to this rule for certain adopted children. See IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information for additional tests to determine who can be claimed as a dependent.
• Four tips about tip income

  If you make your living at least partly by tips, be aware of these tips about tip income:

  1. Tips are taxable. Tips are subject to federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes. The value of non-cash tips, such as tickets, passes or other items of value, is also income and subject to tax.
  2. Include tips on your tax return. You must include in gross income all cash tips you receive directly from customers, tips added to credit cards, and your share of any tips you receive under a tip-splitting arrangement with fellow employees.
  3. Report tips to your employer. If you receive $20 or more in tips in any one month, you should report all of your tips to your employer. Your employer is required to withhold federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes.
  4. Keep a running daily log of your tip income. You can use IRS Publication 1244, Employee's Daily Record of Tips and Report to Employer, to record your tip income.

  For more information see IRS Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income.

• 7 Facts about Injured Spouse Relief

  You may qualify for injured spouse relief if you file a joint return and all or part of your refund is applied against your spouse's past-due federal tax, state income tax, child or spousal support, or federal nontax debt, such as a student loan. Some important facts about claiming injured spouse relief:

  1. To be considered an injured spouse, you must have made and reported tax payments, such as federal income tax withheld from wages or estimated tax payments, or claimed a refundable tax credit on the joint return, and you must not be legally obligated to pay the past-due amount.
  2. If you live in a community property state, see IRS Pub 555, Community Property, for special rules.
  3. If you filed a joint return and you're not responsible for the debt, but you are entitled to a portion of the refund, you may request your portion of the refund by filing Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.
  4. You may file form 8379 along with your original tax return or you may file it by itself after you are notified of a refund offset.
  5. You can e-file Form 8379. If you file a paper tax return you can include Form 8379 with your return, write "INJURED SPOUSE" at the top left corner of your return, and the IRS will process your allocation request before an offset occurs.
  6. If you are filing Form 8379 by itself, it must show both spouses' Social Security Numbers in the same order as they appeared on your income tax return. You, the "injured" spouse, must also sign the form.
  7. Do not use Form 8379 if you are claiming innocent spouse relief. Instead, file Form 8857, Request for Innocent Spouse Relief.  This relief from a joint liability applies only in limited circumstances. IRS Pub 971, Innocent Spouse Relief, explains who may qualify, and how to request this relief.
• Claiming charitable contributions

  If you want to claim a charitable deduction, be sure the charity or philanthropic organization you select is a tax-qualified organization under IRS rules. Use GuideStar for Donors to research nonprofits' tax-exempt status.

  Charitable purchases are only deductible in the amount exceeding the worth of the item purchased. For example, if you attend a fancy $500 a plate dinner for children's hospital, the deductible amount is equal to $500 minus the fair market value of the dinner.

  Make sure you obtain a receipt for any and all of your charitable cash contributions - if you want to deduct them! Learn more from our Contributions article.

• How to report forgiven mortgage debt

  Debt forgiveness usually is considered taxable income. However, under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, you may be able to exclude up to $2 million of debt forgiven on your principal residence in 2007-2012 ($1 million for married filing separate).

  You may exclude debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in a foreclosure. To qualify, the debt must have been for buying, building or substantially improving your principal residence, and the debt must have been secured by that residence. Refinanced debt used for other purposes, such as to pay off credit card debt, does not qualify for the exclusion.

  If your debt is reduced or forgiven you will receive a year-end statement, Form 1099-C, from your lender. By law, this form must show the amount of debt forgiven and the fair market value of any property foreclosed. The IRS urges borrowers to examine the Form 1099-C carefully. Notify the lender immediately of any mistakes, especially on the amount of debt forgiven (Box 2) and the value listed for your home (Box 7).

  If you qualify, you claim the exclusion by filling out Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness, and attaching it to your federal tax return for the year.