Filing Questions

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library_booksFiling Questions

FAQ / Quick questions

Absolutely! If you don't see it as an option on your account, you'll have to deactivate your return and start over. 

To deactivate a return:

1. Click the "Settings" button on the left hand toolbar.

deactivate return

2. Click "Transaction History".

deactivate return

3. Scroll down to "Deactivate your return", select a reason for deactivation and click "clear your return and start over". 

deactivate return

You'll be logged out and able to start over again.

4. Log back into your TaxSlayer account and enter your basic information

5. When you get to the Filing status page, click "Nonresident Alien", followed by your appropriate filing status.

1040nr

Unfortunately, MyFreeTaxes cannot assist with questions on Form 8863, as the certification and training our support team receives from the IRS does not include interpretation of tax treaties. You may consider consulting a commercial tax preparer to ensure your interpretation is correctly applied here and then continue following their advice if you want to self-file in the future.

For information on how to prepare and file a Schedule C return, please click here or visit myfreetaxes.com/taxguides. From there, you'll be able to choose the guide most appropriate for your line of work- whether it's a home-based child care business, gig economy or standard Schedule C.

To file a state return (or multiple), please click on the 'State' tab on the left-hand toolbar within your TaxSlayer account.

From there, you'll be able to choose your state and begin your return. Once that state is complete, you'll be given the option to add another State return. Screenshots are down below. 

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To file a state return without federal, you’ll need to file your state return as a paper return and mail it to the IRS. Click here to find the appropriate IRS mailing address for your state. Please keep in mind that your refund will be delayed as the IRS goes through the returns. Screenshots down below.

1. To print your return, please return to your account on myfreetaxes.com, click on “Summary/Print” on the left-hand toolbar, then “Print Results”.

2. Once navigated to your Tax Return Summary, scroll down and hit the button that’s labeled “Print” followed by “Print State”.

While MyFreeTaxes does not have the ability to log into your account, you could the 'forgot password' or 'forgot username' feature that is on the login page.

Can't Access Account

Yes! You can file a return using our partner’s free software without reporting any income. If no have no income this will enable you to claim certain refundable tax credits, like the Child Tax Credit. The IRS recommends entering $1 in the “Other Income” section of your Federal return with “IN ORDER TO E-FILE" listed in the description field. 

Follow these steps: 

  1. Click “Income” under the Federal section. 
  2. Scroll down and click Begin next to “Less Common Income”. 
  3. Click Begin next to “Other Income Not Reported Elsewhere”. 
  4. Select Other Income from the drop-down menu. 
  5. Enter $1 for the value and list "IN ORDER TO E-FILE" in the description.

In most cases you can use MyFreeTaxes to file as a nonresident alien.

  • If you are using the MyFreeTaxes File My Own Taxes option to file using TaxSlayer, choose "Nonresident Alien" on the "What's your filing status?" page after using MyFreeTaxes to login to your TaxSlayer account. If you already selected a different filing status by mistake, you will need to delete your return and start over, then select "Nonresident Alien" as your status.
  • You are using MyFreeTaxes to self-file using Cash App Taxes, please note that 1040-NR is not currently supported by Cash App Taxes.
  • If you are using the MyFreeTaxes Have My Taxes Prepared for Me option, many of the free tax sites we connect you to are able to file form 1040-NR for nonresident aliens. When you choose a site and contact them to make an appointment, be sure to confirm their site has the Foreign Student certification from the IRS and can file returns for nonresident aliens.

Please contact our support team if you have any questions.

Yes! You can claim any missed stimulus check funds (economic impact payment) by filing either a 2020 or 2021 year return and completing the Recovery Rebate Credit section. Our "Have My Taxes Prepared for Me My Return for Me" option will connect you to free tax filing services that can prepare your prior year returns for you.

Read more here at irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit.

Yes, you can use MyFreeTaxes to claim the tax credits and deductions you deserve. You can even file a return to claim your Child Tax Credit even if you did not have any income.

If you have no income but want to e-file your return, the IRS recommends entering $1 in the “Other Income” section of your Federal return with “IN ORDER TO E-FILE" listed in the description field. 

Follow these steps: 

  • Click “Income” under the Federal section. 
  • Scroll down and click Begin next to “Less Common Income”. 
  • Click Begin next to “Other Income Not Reported Elsewhere”. 
  • Select Other Income from the drop-down menu. 
  • Enter $1 for the value and list "IN ORDER TO E-FILE" in the description.

This is a security feature from the filing software provider. Your direct deposit information was transferred with both your Federal and State returns if that is what you selected. When you print or download your own copy of your return from the filing software you will see your direct deposit information is either blank or listed as all Xs.

If you are having trouble locating where to enter your prior year AGI please follow these steps within your TaxSlayer account: 

  1. Click on E-file on the gray navigation bar on the left side of the screen. 
  2. Check yes and click continue 
  3. In step 4, “Sign and File,” there is a question that reads: “Did you electronically file (e-file) your return last year?”. 
  4. In order to reveal the section to enter your prior year AGI you will need to select the top option, which reads “Yes, I e-filed my 2022 return and have access to it.” Click continue. 
  5. Select the type of return you filed last year. For most users it will be 1040. Click continue. 
  6. Then enter your prior year AGI and click Continue. 

This is a security feature from the filing software provider. Your direct deposit information was transferred with both your Federal and State returns if that is what you selected. When you print or download your own copy of your return from the filing software you will see your direct deposit information is either blank or listed as all Xs.

The IRS recommends a few options for obtaining your prior-year AGI.


Preferred Method
You should always retain a copy of your tax return.

On your prior-year tax return, your AGI is on line 8b of the Form 1040.

  • If you are using the same tax preparation software that you used last year, that software will likely have your prior-year tax return for you to access.
  • If you’re not using the same tax preparation software as last year, you may be able to access your prior-year software and view an electronic copy of your prior-year return.
  • If you are a first-time filer over the age of 16 enter zero as your AGI.
  • If you have an Identity Protection (IP) PIN, you should enter it when prompted by your software. It will serve to verify your identity, instead of your prior-year AGI or prior-year Self Select PIN. You can opt into the IP PIN program through the IRS’ online tool.

Alternative Methods

  • If you do not have a copy of your tax return, you may use a Get Transcript self-help tool to get a Tax Return Transcript showing your AGI.
  • Use the IRS’ Get Transcript Online tool to immediately view your AGI. You must pass the Secure Access identity verification process. Select the Tax Return Transcript and use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.
  • Use Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946 if you cannot pass Secure Access and need to request a Tax Return Transcript. Please allow 5 to 10 days for delivery. Use only the “Adjusted Gross Income” line entry.

If you need your prior year Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to e-file and you don’t have access to your last year’s return, click here to visit the IRS' Get Transcript tool. 

There are a number of reasons that the tax refund could be delayed. First, check to make sure that you received an email confirmation that your return was accepted by both the federal and state government. Second, check to make sure that all of your tax documents were included with your return. Missing documents are a common reason for refund delays.

If your tax return included an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) application/ renewal, or if you recently received a new SSN for yourself or anyone else on your return, this could also delay your refund. If the IRS needs additional verification or if your return gets audited, they may request additional authentication before releasing your tax refund.

Federal Refund Status: If you need to check the status of your refund, you can use the IRS online application by clicking on the following link: "Where's My Refund?". You can also check the status of your federal refund by phone by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954. For video assistance with tracking your Federal refund, please click here.
State Refund Status: Most states provide online status inquiry. Some states have automated phone verification for refund status, those telephone numbers are provided on the website.

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The MyFreeTaxes self-preparation software (accessible by selecting the “File My Own Taxes” option on our homepage) allows filing and amending current year returns.

  • To start amending your return, select E-file in the main navigation menu. Then, select the Amended Return menu item that appears below it in the navigation menu. 
  • Once you have completed your amended return, select Continue at the bottom of the Amended Return menu to choose how you wish to file it. If you choose to e-file, complete the process to file your Amended Return the same way as your Federal Return.

The MyFreeTaxes option to have your return prepared for you (accessible by selecting the “Have My Return Prepared For Me” option on our homepage) connects users who need more support filing their return to partner nonprofits that are part of the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. These programs can file and amend returns for each of the last three years if you meet their eligibility criteria.

The email notifying you of the rejection should provide the reason. Make corrections by logging back into your tax software account and refile. If that doesn't work, you may have to file a paper return or contact the IRS. Most common reasons for rejection are:

1. Employer EIN does not match IRS information
2. Social Security number does not match IRS name
3. Someone already filed using a dependent's Social Security number
4. IRS identity theft PIN is wrong or was omitted

Yes! You can file an extension through MyFreeTaxes and finish filing by October 15, 2024. If you owe taxes and do not pay by the April filing deadline, the IRS will charge you interest each month on the amount you owe until you file and pay. You can learn more here about filing an extension here.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit based upon your earned (W-2) income. It usually increases as you add qualified dependents. Additional qualifications include:

  • Taxpayers and qualifying dependents must have Social Security Numbers that allow them to work in the U.S.
  • Cannot file as Married Filing Separately
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year
  • Cannot have foreign income
  • Have investment income of $3,650 or less
  • Cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else
  • Dependent(s) must be related to you, meet certain age requirements, must reside with you for more than half the year, and cannot be claimed by more than one person

For additional information on the EITC: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant

Yes, you can, though it may be more financially advantageous to file jointly. Almost all married couples that file taxes separately are required to file a return since the income threshold is $5. Filing jointly may also help you qualify for many tax credits and deductions, including the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit).

If you elect to file separately, keep in mind that If one spouse itemizes their deductions, the other spouse must do so as well. If neither spouse itemizes, both can take the standard deduction.

The IRS recommends a few options for obtaining your prior-year Earned Income Level.

Preferred Method
Retrieve a copy of your prior-year tax return.

  • Look for Form 8812. Earned income is shown on line 6a.
  • If there is no Form 8812, look for the EITC worksheets, which are usually included at the end of your return. Earned income is listed on Worksheet A, Line 1 and Worksheet B, Line 4b.

Alternative Methods
If you do not have a copy of your prior-year return, you can obtain a transcript from the IRS.

  • If you do not have a copy of your tax return, you may use a Get Transcript self-help tool to get a Tax Return Transcript showing your earned income from a prior year.
  • Use the IRS’ Get Transcript Online tool to immediately view your earned income for a certain tax year. You must pass the Secure Access identity verification process. Select the Tax Return Transcript and use only the “Schedule EIC Earned Income Per Computer” line entry.
  • Use Get Transcript by Mail or call 800-908-9946 if you cannot pass Secure Access and need to request a Tax Return Transcript. Please allow 5 to 10 days for delivery. Use only the “Schedule EIC Earned Income Per Computer” line entry.

Helpline

The MyFreeTaxes Helpline is staffed by dedicated call specialists who have completed IRS VITA program training and certification. Our Helpline call specialists are available to answer questions about MyFreeTaxes, help you troubleshoot issues you may face while using the tax filing software we connect you to, and answer certain tax questions you have while completing your return through MyFreeTaxes.

Our main Helpline can be reached at 866-698-9435. It is available 10 am - 6 pm ET daily from February 6 - April 18, and 10 am - 6 pm ET daily from April 19 - October 31.

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