Internal Revenue Service - Information Release
IR-2021-147
IRS.gov: The 24/7 summertime spot for tax help     
July 9, 2021 
   
   
   
Media Relations Office
Washington, D.C.
www.IRS.gov/newsroom   
Media Contact: 202.317.4000   
Public Contact: 800.829.1040
   
 IRS.gov: The 24/7 summertime spot for tax help    
     
IR-2021-147, July 9, 2021   
   
WASHINGTON -- The IRS website provides millions of visitors with the answers they need to fit their busy summer schedules. On IRS.gov, waiting for service is not a problem and no appointment is needed to use the online tools.   
     
Many taxpayers who requested an extension to October 15 or missed the May 17 deadline can still prepare and e-file tax returns for free with IRS Free File. Here are some great reasons for taxpayers to add IRS.gov to their 'internet favorites' list this summer.   
     
 Tax information when it's needed    
     
IRS.gov is always there. Taxpayers can view, download or print tax products right away. They can also do the following:   
     
- Use the File  tab on the home page for most federal income tax needs. Access the Interactive Tax Assistant  tool that can answer many tax law questions.   
     
- See their tax account with the View Your Account  tool. With this, they can find information such as a payoff amount, the balance for each tax year owed, up to 24 months of their payment history and key information from their current tax year return as originally filed.   
     
- Use the Get Transcript  tool to view, print or download their tax transcripts after the IRS has processed the return.   
     
- Find the most up-to-date information about tax refunds using the Where's My Refund?  tool on IRS.gov and on the official IRS mobile app, IRS2Go. Taxpayers can start checking on the status of their refund 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an e-filed return.   
     
 Find answers in more languages than ever    
     
Many pages on IRS.gov are now available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Haitian Creole and Chinese Simplified and Traditional. Earlier this year, the agency posted a  Spanish language version of Form 1040 PDF   and the  related instructions PDF   to IRS.gov.   
     
 Help for people who use assistive technology    
     
At the online Alternative Media Center (AMC), taxpayers will find a variety of accessible products  like screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and screen magnifying software. These products include tax forms, instructions and publications that can be downloaded or viewed online as Section 508 compliant PDF, HTML, eBraille, text and large print. Please note that every product is not available in all formats. For example, tax forms are not available as HTML. To request paper copies of tax forms, instructions or publications in Braille or large print, call the tax form telephone number at 800-829-3676. Or if a taxpayer prefers to receive correspondence such as letters or notices from the IRS in an alternative format they can call 800-829-1040.   
     
 Keep current with IRS Tax Tips    
     
Summer activities like homebuying or working a part-time job often affect taxes. Additionally, while many summertime and part-time workers may not earn enough to owe federal income tax, they should remember to file a return to get a refund for taxes withheld early next year. Subscribe  to IRS Tax Tips  to get easy-to-read articles by e-mail from the IRS that not only cover summer topics but also those topics which are good to know throughout the entire year. Tax Tips are brief, to the point and cover a wide range of subjects like common errors to avoid when you prepare your tax return and the latest guidance on current tax deductions and credits.     
     
 Partner and promotional materials for Coronavirus Tax Relief    
     
Discover ready-to-use articles, e-posters, videos and much more on IRS.gov about Economic Impact Payments, the Recovery Rebate Credit, and the Advance Child Tax Credit. The IRS has placed a special emphasis on partnering with organizations that work with groups focusing on veterans, homeless and low-income taxpayers as well as non-English speaking audiences to share information. In all, the IRS has worked with thousands of partners across the country reaching organizations representing hundreds of millions of taxpayers. The IRS asks community groups, non-profits, associations, education organizations and anyone else with connections to people with children to share the critical information about the advance child tax credit as well as other important benefits.   
     
 Adjust withholding now to avoid tax surprises next year    
     
Summer is a great time for taxpayers to check their withholding and avoid a tax surprise next filing season. Life events like marriage, divorce, having a child, or a change in income can all affect taxes. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator  on IRS.gov helps employees assess their income tax, credits, adjustments and deductions and determine whether they need to change their withholding by submitting a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. Taxpayers should remember that, if needed, they should submit their new W-4 to their employer, not the IRS.