Top Tax Questions: May 2017 Update

Sometimes you just need a straight answer about your taxes and how to file your return without having to burrow for the information you need, so let’s look at some of the most frequently asked tax and personal finance questions of the last month.

How do I file taxes for a deceased family member?

If you had a family member pass away last year, you may have to file a tax return to report the income earned while living. To file an individual tax return for a deceased family member, you’ll still use a Form 1040 as you would for any other return, but make sure to note that the taxpayer is deceased, along with the date of death, on the top of the return. If your file the return on 1040.com, just enter that information on the Name & Address screen.

Any refund money or income earned after death (interest, final paychecks, etc.) is considered part of your relative’s estate and will have its own tax return, if needed. The personal representative of the estate will be responsible for filing this one.

How do I track my refund?

You want to know where your refund money is and maybe why it’s taking so long to get to you. While there’s no tool to tell you why your refund is being delayed, you can check on your refund status via the appropriate “Where’s My Refund?” tool.

To get updates on your federal tax refund status, you want to use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool. To get updates on your state tax refund status, go to your state’s website and enter “Where’s My Refund?” in the search box.

How do I get my tax transcripts?

Since the IRS now requires your prior-year AGI as proof of identity while filing online this year, you’re going to want your old tax returns handy. If you didn’t save a copy of last year’s tax return or can’t find one, go to the IRS Get Transcript page. You'll need to provide your Social Security Number, birthdate, filing status and mailing address.

If you want to access the transcript online, you’ll also need a personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity loan, home equity line of credit or car loan to prove your identity. Don’t have any of those? No worries – you can still order a tax transcript through the mail.

How can I access my return I filed online?

You can view your most recent tax return online by logging in to the online tax filing software you used this year. When you file with 1040.com, we save 7 years’ worth of your returns, just in case you need them.
If you filed with a tax preparer, contact your preparer for a copy of your return.

Can I still file my 2016 taxes?

Yes, you can – and if you haven’t, there’s no time like the present! The longer you wait, the more likely you’ll have to pay fees and interest on any taxes you may owe. Check out our post on filing 2016 tax returns after the deadline and get started on your tax return now.

Can I amend my taxes online?

While you can’t send your amended return to the IRS online, you can still go through your tax return and amend it using our simple filing process. When you’re finished, just print your amended return and Form 1040X and send them to the appropriate address based on your state of residence (which you can find on page 14 of the 1040X instructions).

Did we miss you? If you have any tax or personal finance questions that aren’t listed here, hit us up in the comments below!

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