Income Tax(p6)

This part explains whether you have to file an income tax return and when you file it. It also explains how you pay the tax.

You have to file an income tax return for 2010 if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. If your net earnings from self-employment were less than $400, you still have to file an income tax return if you meet any other filing requirement listed in the Form 1040 instructions.

File your income tax return on Form 1040 and attach Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ. Enter the net profit or loss from Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ on page 1 of Form 1040. Use Schedule C to figure your net profit or loss from your business. If you operated more than one business as a sole proprietorship, you must attach a separate Schedule C for each business. You can use the simpler Schedule C-EZ if you operated only one business as a sole proprietorship, you did not have a net loss, and you meet the other requirements listed in Part I of the schedule.

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You may be able to file your tax returns electronically using an IRS e-file option. Table 1-1 lists the benefits of IRS e-file. IRS e-file uses automation to replace most of the manual steps needed to process paper returns. As a result, the processing of e-file returns is faster and more accurate than the processing of paper returns. As with a paper return, you are responsible for making sure your return contains accurate information and is filed on time.

Using e-file does not affect your chances of an IRS examination of your return.

You can file most commonly used business forms using IRS e-file. For more information, visit IRS.gov.

Paperless filing is easier than you think and it's available to most taxpayers who file electronically—including those first-time filers who were 16 or older at the end of 2010. If you file electronically using tax preparation software or a tax professional, you will participate in the Self-Select PIN (personal identification number) program. If you are married filing jointly, you and your spouse will each need to create a PIN and enter these PINs as your electronic signatures.

To create a PIN, you must know your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your originally filed 2009 income tax return (not from an amended return, Form 1040X, or any math error notice from the IRS). You will also need to provide your date of birth (DOB). Make sure your DOB is accurate and matches the information on record with the Social Security Administration before you e-file. To do this, check your annual Social Security Statement.

With a Self-Select PIN, there is nothing to sign and nothing to mail—not even your Forms W-2. For more details on the Self-Select PIN program, visit IRS.gov.

In most states, you can file an electronic state return simultaneously with your federal return. For more information, check with your local IRS office, state tax agency, tax professional, or IRS.gov.

You can have your refund check mailed to you, or you can have your refund deposited directly to your checking or savings account.

With e-file, your refund will be issued in half the time as when filing on paper. Most refunds are issued within 3 weeks. If you choose Direct Deposit, you can receive your refund in as few as 10 days.

As with a paper return, you may not get all of your refund if you owe certain past-due amounts, such as federal tax, state tax, a student loan, or child support. You will be notified if the refund you claimed has been offset against your debts.

You can check the status of your refund if it has been at least 3 weeks from the date you filed your return. Be sure to have a copy of your tax return available because you will need to know the filing status, the first social security number shown on the return, and the exact whole-dollar amount of the refund. To check on your refund, do one of the following.

• Go to IRS.gov and click on Where's My Refund.
• Call 1-800-829-4477 for automated refund information, and follow the recorded instructions.
• Call 1-800-829-1954 during the hours shown in your form instructions.

If you owe tax, you must pay it by April 18, 2011, to avoid late-payment penalties and interest. You can make your payment electronically by scheduling an electronic funds withdrawal from your checking or savings account or by credit card.

Many tax professionals can electronically file paperless returns for their clients. You have two options.

1. You can prepare your return, take it to an authorized IRS e-file provider, and have the provider transmit it electronically to the IRS.
2. You can have an authorized IRS e-file provider prepare your return and transmit it for you electronically.

You will be asked to complete Form 8879, IRS e-file Signature Authorization, to authorize the provider to enter your self-selected PIN on your return.

Depending on the provider and the specific services requested, a fee may be charged. To find an authorized IRS e-file provider near you, go to IRS.gov or look for an "Authorized IRS e-file Provider" sign.

A computer with Internet access is all you need to file your tax return using IRS e-file. When you use your personal computer, you can e-file your return from your home any time of the day or night. Sign your return electronically using a self-selected PIN to complete the process. There is no signature form to submit or Forms W-2 to send in.

More taxpayers can now prepare and e-file their individual income tax returns free using commercial tax preparation software accessible through IRS.gov or www.usa.gov. The IRS is partnering with the tax software industry to offer free preparation and filing services to a significant number of taxpayers. Security and privacy certificate programs will assure tax data is safe and secure. To see if you qualify for these services, visit the Free Internet Filing Homepage at IRS.gov.

If you cannot use the free services, you can buy tax preparation software at various electronics stores or computer and office supply stores. You can also download software from the Internet or prepare and file your return completely online by using tax preparation software available on the Internet.

Some businesses offer free e-file to their employees, members, or customers. Others offer it for a fee. Ask your employer or financial institution if they offer IRS e-file as an employee, member, or customer benefit.

Free help in preparing your return is available nationwide from IRS-trained volunteers. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is designed to help low-income taxpayers, and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program is designed to assist taxpayers age 60 or older with their tax returns. Some locations offer free electronic filing.

Form 1040 for calendar year 2010 is due by April 18, 2011. If you use a fiscal year (explained in chapter 2), your return is due by the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of your fiscal year. If you file late, you may have to pay penalties and interest.

If you cannot file your return on time, use Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to request an automatic 6-month extension. For calendar year taxpayers, this will extend the tax filing due date until October 17. Filing an extension does not extend the time to pay your taxes, only the time to file the tax return.

Federal income tax is a pay-as-you-go tax. You must pay it as you earn or receive income during the year. An employee usually has income tax withheld from his or her pay. If you do not pay your tax through withholding, or do not pay enough tax that way, you might have to pay estimated tax. You generally have to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe taxes, including self-employment tax (discussed later), of $1,000 or more when you file your return. Use Form 1040-ES to figure and pay the tax. If you do not have to make estimated tax payments, you can pay any tax due when you file your return. For more information on estimated tax, see Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.

You can pay your estimated tax electronically using various options. If you pay electronically, there is no need to mail in Form 1040-ES payment vouchers. These options include:

1. Paying electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).
2. Paying by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal when you file Form 1040 electronically.
3. Paying by credit or debit card over the phone or by Internet.

Other options include crediting an overpayment from your 2010 return to your 2011 estimated tax, or mailing a check or money order with a Form 1040-ES payment voucher.

1. To enroll in EFTPS, go to www.eftps.gov or call 1-800-555-4477.
2. When you request a new EIN and you will have a tax obligation, you are automatically enrolled in EFTPS.
3. Benefits of EFTPS:
   1. The chance of an error in making your payments is reduced.
   2. You receive immediate confirmation of every transaction.

If you did not pay enough income tax and self-employment tax for 2010 by withholding or by making estimated tax payments, you may have to pay a penalty on the amount not paid. The IRS will figure the penalty for you and send you a bill. Or you can use Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts, to see if you have to pay a penalty and to figure the penalty amount. For more information, see Publication 505.