E-filing Forms W-2 and W-3

We’ve covered quite a bit on Form W-2 over the past month or so: everything from the new deadline to new extension form regulations and even a bit about those pesky penalties.

So now it only makes sense to go over how to e-file Form W-2 and what the deal is with its companion form, the W-3.

E-filing Form W-2
First things first: if you have more than 250 W-2 Forms to file, you’re required by the IRS to e-file. Even if you’re not quite there and only have a few W-2 Forms to submit, we (and the IRS) strongly recommend e-filing anyway. It’s easier, faster, and more secure - if you sign on with an IRS-authorized e-file provider like ExpressIRSForms, that is.

With ExpressIRSForms, you can have your W-2 Forms e-filed with the IRS and mailed out to your employees in just a few steps:

1. Create an account.
2. Select that you’d like to create W-2 Forms from your Dashboard.
3. Fill in your basic employer information (name, EIN, address).
4. Fill in your employees’ details, including their basic info as well as their federal and state income and tax withheld.
5. Review your forms and select whether you’d like us to mail your employee copies of Form W-2 for you.
6. Pay the one-time transmittal fee and securely send your return off to the IRS!

It’s that easy. And with built-in error checks, you’re sure to have everything filed correctly the first time around!

And Form W-3
One of the biggest bonuses of filing online is that Form W-3 isn’t required to be completed and sent with your return when you e-file. It’s the transmittal form for Form W-2 which means it summarizes the contents of the W-2 return it accompanies. Because W-2 e-filing is more streamlined than paper filing, Form W-3 isn’t needed online.

If you do insist on paper filing, you will need to complete one Form W-3 to be sent with your W-2 Forms. You’ll need the following information to complete it:

• Payer or Employer type
• Total number of W-2 Forms
• Employer name, EIN, address, and state ID number
• Total income and taxes withheld reported in your W-2 Forms

And your W-2 return, along with Form W-3, should be sent to the following address by January 31, 2017:

Social Security Administration

Data Operations Center

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001

If sending your return by Certified Mail, change the ZIP code to 18769-0002. And if you use an IRS-approved private delivery service, include in the address “ATTN: W-2 Process, 1150 E. Mountain Dr.” and change the ZIP code to 18702-7997.

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Penalties Increase When You File W-2 Forms Late

You know how sometimes you’re late and that’s the worst that could happen? Like in a college course with a lenient professor or when you’re the boss and are a few minutes late to a meeting. Unfortunately - and not surprisingly - “being late” isn’t considered a punishment in and of itself with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Instead, if you file your W-2 forms late, they’ll have you count up even more money this year to send them to give you a chance to think about what you’ve done. In previous years, the absolute most the IRS could fine you for late filing was a measly $3 million ($1 million if you’re a small business). Now, that number can get upwards of $3,193,000, or $1,064,000.

Keep in mind that you could be subject to this penalty if you:

• Fail to file your W-2s on time,
• Fail to include all the required W-2 information in your return,
• Include incorrect information in your W-2 return,
• File on paper when you’re required to e-file,
• Report an incorrect TIN (so like an SSN or EIN),
• Fail to report a TIN at all, or
• Fail to file paper W-2 Forms that are machine readable.

There is a small silver lining: if you have reasonable cause for why you were late or incorrect in your filing, the IRS will work with you to get your W-2s filed correctly rather than penalize you. So best start preparing a better excuse than “the dog ate my information returns” because these are the fees you’re looking at for late or incorrect W-2 filing:

• $50 per W-2 Form if you file correctly within 30 days of your due date
• Maximum penalty: $532,000
• Maximum penalty for small businesses: $186,000
• $100 per W-2 Form if you file correctly more than 30 days after your due date but before August 1
• Maximum penalty: $1,596,500
• Maximum penalty for small businesses: $532,000
• $260 per W-2 Form if you file after August 1 or don’t file your returns or corrections at all
• Maximum penalty: $3,193,000
• Maximum penalty for small businesses: $1,064,000

Now you see why it’s such a big deal to have your W-2 Forms filed on time, especially since that the deadline to complete and submit your W-2 return with the SSA has changed. So it’s a good thing you’ve found your way to ExpressIRSForms! Our program makes e-filing your W-2 Forms as fast and simple as possible. Sign up today to get started and set up your account in preparation for the upcoming tax season!

And if you have any questions about the upcoming tax season or e-filing your W-2 Forms, just give us a call! We’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. And we also offer 24/7 assistance by email at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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Back to School Tax Credits

Well, folks, Labor Day’s just a stone’s throw away. You know what that means: no more white clothing and school is definitely back in session.

In the time you’re saying goodbye to your summer and hello to college, you’re probably not thinking about your taxes. But, you know, it might not be a bad thing to touch on when you’ve got a sec; those who pay for college in 2016 may be eligible for receiving tax savings on their 2016 federal return.

Here’s a bit info from the IRS about back-to-school tax credits:

American Opportunity Tax Credit
The AOTC is an education credit worth up to $2,500 per year for eligible students. This credit is only available for the first four years of higher education and is 40% refundable. If you’re eligible for the credit, this means you can get up to $1,000 of the credit as a refund, even if you don’t owe any taxes.

Lifetime Learning Credit
Another education credit, the LLC is worth up to $2,000 per tax return. Unlike the AOTC, there isn’t a limit on the number of years you can claim the LLC for eligible students.

Qualified Expenses
When calculating your credit, you may only use qualified education expenses paid. Qualified expenses include tuition costs and other fees or related expenses eligible students must cover to enroll in and attend an eligible institution. Speaking of…

Eligible Educational Institutions
You’ll need to make sure that the school you’re attending is considered an eligible educational school before receiving an education credit. Eligible institutions are those that offer education beyond high school, so that includes most colleges and universities. Some vocational schools and other postsecondary schools may also qualify you for a credit.

Stay Tuned with ExpressIRSForms
While our services have less to do with individual tax filing and more to do with businesses who need to file information returns, like W-2s, 1099s, and ACA forms, we do try to provide as much IRS-related information as we can! So stay tuned to our blog for more IRS updates, as well as tax and e-filing tips and facts.

And if you do have any IRS e-filing questions in the meantime, we’re available to help with that as well. Just give us a call or send us a live chat or email - we’re here for you 24/7!

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The 5 Financial Mistakes You Do NOT Want to Make

To err is human, right? That’s a pretty safe mindset to have when it comes to spilling milk or putting your shirt on inside out. When it comes to your finances, to err could mean years of righting your mistake and almost certainly end up costing you more.

Since tax season is basically over (except for you ACA filers), you can start to think about more “fun” financial responsibilities, like your savings and what to do with it. Or, if you’re not quite there yet, how to start saving! Whether you’re just starting out developing your financial portfolio, or you’re set and ready to retire, you’ll want to make sure you don’t make these five financial mistakes, lest you get stuck back at Square Negative One.

Borrowing From Your 401(k)
You know you shouldn’t, but it’s so tempting. But, really, you shouldn’t. Sure, you have five years to pay back your loan, but that includes interest. And that’s interest you’ll pay with after-tax dollars, only to pay taxes on those funds when retirement rolls around. Not to mention you could be short-changing your retirement account for months or years, sacrificing employer matches and missing out on investment growth, while you’re paying off your loan. When it comes to taking out a loan, look everywhere you can before going to your 401(k).

Falling for the Actually Too-Good-to-be-True Offers
Yes, this includes timeshares. In addition to the thousands you’ll pay upfront, you’re also looking at maintenance fees, travel costs, and resale prices that just aren’t worth it. And that’s the best case scenario. Worst case, it’s a scam. According to the FTC, Americans lost $765 million to scams in 2015. When it comes to your money, it’s okay to be skeptical; if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Only Paying the Minimum on Your Credit Card
If you’re only paying the minimum amount on your credit card each month, it could take years to pay off. Which, again, would be livable if it weren’t for that pesky interest. Consider a typical credit card scenario: a $5,000 balance on a card with a fixed rate of 12.5%. Making only minimum payments, it would take nearly ten years to pay off and cost $1,700 in interest to do so. $1.700 a lot of money to pay for paying off a loan. Imagine what you could do with that! So stop making new charges and pay more than the minimum.

Claiming Social Security Early
If you start claiming your social security at 62, the age you’re allowed to start taking benefits, your monthly check is reduced by 25% for the rest of your life. If you wait until you’re 66, the “official” retirement age, you’ll receive 100% of your benefit amount. However, if you wait until you turn 70 to claim, you’ll get an 8% boost in benefits each year for four years.

Passing Up on Advice
It takes all types to make the world go ‘round: some are good at finances, some aren’t. And that’s okay, so long as you avoid financial mistakes like these, including one of the most important: not listening to or seeking advice when you need it. There’s a reason we have experts in things like investments, retirement savings, estate planning; find one you work well with, and watch your financial decisions and know-how improve over time.

And if you need advice with your tax e-filing, that’s where we come in! You can call ExpressIRSForms Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT, at (704) 684-4751. You can also send us a live chat during those hours through our site, or send us an email anytime at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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5 Finance Tips for New College Grads

It’s the end of April, and the population of Intern Isle - the group of desks where the interns sit at SPAN Enterprises, parent company of ExpressIRSForms - is rapidly dwindling. Graduation is just around the corner, and while we’ll miss the ones leaving us, we know they’re all going on to do great things.

As new college grads all over the nation are learning, with great opportunity comes a few new responsibilities. With more than two-thirds of new alumni in debt - about $35,000 per graduate, on average - fiscal responsibility should be a top priority for new grads. Thankfully, we live in the age of the internet, when people who have developed fiscal responsibility blog about how to get the hang of it.

Take More Than Your Salary into Account
When applying for jobs after getting that degree, it may be easiest to go for whichever one offers you the highest salary, but that’s not necessarily the best idea. While the highest salary is certainly the more preferable salary to have, there are other factors to consider: medical and retirement savings benefits, for example, as well as cost of living and taxes, which vary state to state. A high salary might not be able to afford all the Treat Yo’self Days you’re planning if your new job doesn’t help with those not-as-fun-but-still-pretty-necessary benefits.

Create a Budget You Can Stick To
We’ll give you an example of a fairly basic - but effective - budget in a moment. The main thing to remember with this point, however, is that the budget you come up with has to work for you because you are the person holding you accountable for sticking to it. Setting your budget so that you put 30% in savings each month is admirable, but it’s not going to matter if you know you won’t be able to do that. If you find yourself having trouble with your budget, adjust it. It’s better to actually save $10 each month than it is to say you’re going to save $30/month and spend it all instead.

If you need a starting point, try a 50-30-20 budget. First, figure out your monthly income; of that, put 50% toward needs (rent, utilities, groceries), 30% toward wants (shopping, entertainment, restaurants), and 20% toward savings and debt repayment. If your student loans are substantial, or you’re looking to save more, you can swap the percentages, so 20% is allotted for wants and 30% goes toward your savings/loans.

Manage Your Debt and Be Wary of Accruing More
The best way to handle your student loan debt is staying on top of it. Pay off the loans with the highest interest rates first. You can pay the minimum towards balances with the lowest interest rates, but be sure to make payments larger than that on the bigger ones. Time says the “biggest mistake you can make is paying the minimum into each loan and waiting until you ‘make more money when you’re older’ to deal with them.”

On the other side of that coin, some debt can be beneficial: a solid credit history can open the door to all sorts of benefits, like a low-interest loan on your first car or house. This is why a lot of new grads will start looking into opening up a credit card. Just make sure if you do to avoid the oh-so-slippery slope of biting off (or purchasing) more than you can chew (aka pay back). A good way to help build your credit with a card is to get one, but reserve it for purchases you know you’ll be able to pay back immediately, or at least that month, like gas.

Start Saving for Retirement, Like, Yesterday
For most college grads, retirement is at least 30-40 years away, which may seem like a lot of time to build up funds for your golden years. But with medical and societal advances happening as they are, your retirement fund may need to last as long as the years you worked. One of the biggest mistakes those new to the workforce make is declining an employer’s retirement plan offer, usually because they’re in an entry-level position they don’t anticipate being in for a worthwhile amount of time or think it’ll be more beneficial to wait for a better-paying job to start saving.

Take advantage of the retirement plans offered to you as soon as you’re in a position where they’re offered to you; most employers offer 401(k) retirement plans, and many of those offer some form of matching benefits. All of your contributions to a retirement plan are yours to keep, regardless of whether or not you become fully vested in the plan itself. And if this is the case, you may even be able to roll over your plan into a new employer’s plan or an IRA (individual retirement account).

Ask for Help
Whether it’s from your parents, someone in HR or Accounting departments at your new job, the Internet, or your friendly neighborhood e-file provider, help can be found if you need it. Don't put off asking for help either; the longer you flounder with financial issues and strains, the harder they'll be to overcome. And, hey, if you’re reading this and you’ve got some financial advice for new grads, tell us all about it in the comments below!

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The IRS 2015 Filing Fraud Report Is In! Was Your Tax Return Affected?

Remember the other week when we talked about the importance of knowing about tax fraud and protecting your identity during tax season (as well as all the others)? Well, the results for the 2015 filings are in, and the steps the IRS and taxpayers have taken to prevent tax identity fraud have had commendable results.

This report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration was issued last Thursday, based on how the IRS’s performed January 1 through mid-April, 2016. The final results of their analysis will be released in September.

The IRS confirms the interim report's findings: 31,578 fraudulent tax returns involving identity theft have been found as of Feb. 29, 2016 (the paper filing deadline). As of March 5, 20,224 of these fraudulent returns have been identified as prisoner tax returns, which are being held for screening (prisoners have a history of claiming bogus tax refunds).

On March 4, the IRS’s return total was approximately 67 million, 62.6 million (93.9%) e-filed and 4 million (6.1%) paper filed. Subsequently, the IRS has issued more than $160 billion in 53,5 million refunds.

The IRS took measures this tax season to catch fraudulent claims before processing (rather than during). State tax authorities are also working to combat identity theft and tax fraud; the state of New York alone stopped more than 239,000 suspicious refund claims, saving taxpayers roughly $400 million.

While it’s true that a majority of the fraudulent returns found this year were e-filed - only 741 of the returns pulled for screening were paper filed - this shouldn’t keep you from e-filing in the future. In fact, it’s easier for the IRS to detect fraudulent returns when you file electronically, which can help expedite the correction process.

You can decrease your risk of fraud by making sure to file with an IRS-authorized e-file provider, like ExpressIRSForms. We’ve taken extra measures to ensure your security and that your information is shared only with the IRS.

If you've got any questions for us, we’re here all year, not just during tax season. Give us a call Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT at (704) 839-2270. Or send us a live chat during those hours through our website, www.ExpressIRSForms.com. And for all you night owls, we’ve got 24/7 e-mail support at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Warning: Don't Lose These Tax Documents After You File

Heads up, taxpayers: today’s the last day to file your personal income taxes (unless you’re in Maine and Massachusetts, you lucky ducks have until tomorrow). So before we continue, if you think you need some more time to file, head on over to www.ExpressExtension.com really quick and e-file Form 4868 for a six-month extension.

*Jeopardy theme music*

Alright, glad to have you back. Now, onto the subject of the day here at ExpressIRSForms: tax document retention. In other words, what tax records should you keep - and how long should you keep them - after you file?

Generally, taxpayers need to keep a copy of their tax returns and supporting documents for at least three years after the filing year. The IRS recommends this three-year retention period because that’s how long they have to initiate an audit of that tax year (that’s also how long you have to amend that return). But keep in mind that they have six years to initiate an audit in cases of fraud. If you’re already playing fast and loose with the IRS, it’s unlikely you’ll keep the paperwork lying around; but if you do, that’s how long you should.

“Enrolled agents say keep all tax records for seven years just to be safe,” said Kim Lankford, of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine in an interview with Patricia Sabatini. Even if you don’t anticipate an audit, keeping your tax documents can help you in the long run. Whether they’re helping you complete future returns, or successfully helping to contest Social Security benefits (an example Ms. Lankford sites), retained tax documents can really come in handy.

Information You Can Use on Your Next Return
Keeping previous tax records and other documents you collect throughout the year can not only help with your tax preparation time each year, but it can help save you money on your taxes. Throughout the year, make sure you hold onto documents and information relating to:

• Income from wages, dividends, interest, or business: W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, bank statements, brokerage statements, etc.
• Deductions and credits (child care expenses, dental and medical expenses, use of the home for business purposes, charitable gifts, car sales tax, alimony): receipts, invoices, mileage logs, bank/credit card statements, etc.
• Home and property: closing statements, invoices, proof of payment, insurance records, receipts for improvements
• Investments: 1099s and 2439s, brokerage statements, mutual fund statements

The Bottom Line: What to Keep for How Long
The only thing you’ll really, legally need your tax documents for is in the event of an audit. The helping-you-complete-future-returns part is just gravy. Actual tax returns, like your 1040 and its schedules, or your W-2, you should hold onto indefinitely. Everything else, follow this general timeline for document retention:

• Three years: tax return forms and schedules plus all info to support what you claimed on your return (like records related to property, investments, or business assets)
• Four years: state tax information (most states have an additional year to initiate an audit)
• Six years: W-2, 1099, etc. forms (the IRS has six years to contact you about failed reported income)
• Seven years: information regarding loss from worthless securities or bad debts

For questions on your personal tax return, we’ll try to do the best we can, but you might be better off contacting a CPA or the IRS directly (1-800-829-1040). But for e-filing your 1099s, W-2s, ACA Forms, and W-9s, we’re happy to help! Just give us a call Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, at 1-704-83-2270, or send us an email at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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1099 & W-2 Late Filing Penalties

Alright, guys, it’s time to get serious at ExpressIRSForms: if you haven’t filed your 1099s and/or W-2s for your payees and employees, they are officially late. At midnight on March 31, the 2015 tax year POOFED back into a pumpkin, and anyone left not having filed was too late to submit their returns without penalty.

So what, oh what, are these late filers to do?

E-file Your Returns ASAP
The most important thing now is getting your filing done as quickly and accurately as possible. Remember: if your forms get rejected for an error, you have to re-file them, making them even later. Also, remember that your penalty is determined by how long it takes you to file your returns (correctly). You’ll want to make sure you e-file; if you paper file your forms, the IRS will have to determine your penalty by the paper filing deadline (February 29, making them already over a month late) instead of the March 31 e-filing deadline.

Know What You’re Up Against
As we just said, the IRS determines your penalty based on when your forms are ultimately filed. This means that if you file

• within 30 days of the deadline, your penalty is $50 per form, not to exceed $532,000 a year ($186,000 for small businesses);
• after 30 days the due date but before August 1, your penalty is $100 per form, not to exceed $1,596,500 a year ($532,000 for small businesses); 
• after August 1, or not at all, your penalty is $260 per form, not to exceed $3,193,000 a year ($1,064,000 for small businesses).

Know the Exceptions to the Rule…
...but don’t count on them to keep your penalty amount zero. Most of the exceptions are at the discretion of the IRS, so it’s still best to file as soon as you can after the deadline. The IRS considers these three main exceptions when looking into late filing cases:

1. If you can show that the late filing (or non-filing) was due to events beyond your control, or due to significant mitigating factors rather than willful neglect, the IRS penalty will not apply.
2. Inconsequential errors or omissions that don’t prevent the IRS from processing the return aren’t considered failures to include correct information. Usually, these errors are related to a TIN, a payee’s/employee’s surname, and any money amounts.
3. De minimis rule for corrections. In other words, if your correction forms were filed after the deadline but before August 1 and were to correct forms you filed before the deadline. If you meet these conditions, the penalty won’t apply to 10 information returns, or ½ of 1% of the total forms, whichever is greater, for your filing.

Know Who to Call
Hint: it’s not Ghostbusters. Give up? It’s us! Our friendly, US-based support team is here all year long, not just during tax season, to help you with any post-March-31st-at-midnight issues or questions you have. Just send us a live chat or give us a call at (704) 839-2270, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. You can also email us 24/7 at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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E-filing is Open for 1099 Filers

If you’ve already been around the ExpressIRSForms block this year with recipient filing, then you know that the 1099s are ready to be e-filed. But if this is your first time joining us, you should know that the 1099s are ready to be e-filed! So now that we’re past that quick taste of déjà vu let’s get to know a little more about the 1099 Forms that are available to be e-filed through ExpressIRSForms.

Form 1099-MISC
Ahh, one of the classics. Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, is filed each year if you paid someone at least $10 in royalties or broker payments or at least $600 in:

• rents,
• services done by a non-employee,
• prizes/awards,
• other income payments,
• medical/health care payments,
• crop insurance proceeds,
• cash payments for fish,
• cash paid from a notional principal contract,
• attorney payments, or
• any fishing boat proceeds.

Needless to say, a majority of the e-filing orders we get are for the 1099-MISC. It’s the most common of the 1099s, and one to keep in mind if you make any payments to independent contractors, attorneys, or fishermen.

Form 1099-INT
Our next form is intriguing, to say the least: Form 1099-INT, Interest Income. This form is filed each year for every recipient of at least $10 in interest income you have. Keep in mind that Form 1099-INT is for tax-exempt interest reporting only; any interest you need to report that is taxable needs to be reported on Form 1099-OID.

Form 1099-DIV
Coming in at number three is Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions. This form can be a bit tricky, and it’s filed by banks and other financial institutions for their investors. A Form 1099-DIV is filed for each investor:

• who was paid $10 or more in dividends and other distributions on stock,
• who was paid at least $600 as part of a liquidation,
• “for whom you have withheld and paid any foreign tax on dividends and other distributions of stock,”
• “for whom you have withheld any federal income tax on dividends under the backup withholding rules.”

Form 1099-R
New to ExpressIRSForms this year is Form 1099-R, *deep breath* Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement, or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. Form 1099-R reports various distributions over $10 of retirement benefits, like any of the ones listed in it’s long, long name.

Keep in mind that for your 2015 1099 forms, recipient copies were due February 1, paper forms are due February 29, and e-filed forms are due March 31. And if you have more than 250 of any one 1099 Form to file, you’re required by the IRS to e-file those forms.

If you have questions about the 1099 Forms or e-filing them with ExpressIRSForms, just get in touch with our friendly customer support team. We’re available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat. We also offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Holiday Movies Available on Netflix this December

December is finally here! With Halloween and Thanksgiving out of the way, the real holiday season can now be celebrated in full force!

Traditions are a big part of celebrating this month. Whether you’re making the same trek over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house or creating some new traditions of your own, you can take part in our new tradition to share the holiday-themed movies streaming on Netflix so that you can have a month filled with holiday cheer!

During our last holiday special, we featured horror movies available to stream to celebrate Halloween. Now, grab your family or some friends, a cozy blanket, and relax and feel the love this December! Funny, heartwarming, and maybe a little scary at times (who wasn’t terrified of ghost-Marley from A Christmas Carol as a kid?), these movies are sure to put you in the holiday spirit:

12/1: Love Actually (2003) 12/2: Saving Santa (2013) 12/3: I’ll Be Home for Christmas         (1998) 12/4: A Very Murray Christmas         (2015) 12/5: Happy Christmas (2014) 12/6: Prince of Egypt (1998) 12/7: One Magic Christmas         (1985) 12/8: Get Santa (2014) 12/9: The Radio City Christmas         Spectacular (2007) 12/10: A Christmas Carol (1938) 12/11: Hook (1991) 12/12: Dear Santa (2011)	12/13: While You Were           Sleeping (1995) 12/14: Bad Santa (2003) 12/15: Fitzgerald Family           Christmas (2012) 12/16: Planes, Trains, and           Automobiles (1987) 12/17: The Muppet Christmas           Carol (1992) 12/18: Christmas with the           Kranks (2004) 12/19: Ernest Saves Christmas           (1988) 12/20: 12 Dates of Christmas           (2011)	12/21: White Christmas           (1954) 12/22: The Legend of Frosty           the Snowman (2004) 12/23: Scrooged (1988) 12/24: The Nightmare Before           Christmas (1994) 12/25: Mickey’s Once Upon a           Christmas (1999) 12/26: Bridget Jones’ Diary           (2001) 12/27: Santa Buddies (2009) 12/28: Snowmen (2010) 12/29: Serendipity (2001) 12/30: The Ref (1994) 12/31: Trading Places (1983)

Are any of your holiday favorites listed above? Personally, I’m a little disappointed National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation isn’t available to stream, but c’est la vie! At any rate, A Very Murray Christmas shouldn’t disappoint.

And when you’re not in the middle of a movie, if you have any questions or need help e-filing, you can contact the friendly ExpressIRSForms support team at our office located in Rock Hill, SC. You can call (704) 839-2270, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, or send us an email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.

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November at EIRSF: Giving Thanks, #NonProfitNovember, and Tax Law Reforms

Good morning, and happy November: the oft-forgotten month between Halloween Month and Christmas Month!

It’s sort of understandable that November tends to get lost in the midst of the season that begins with candy and costumes and ends with presents and Christmas cheer. But there are plenty of fun and celebratory things about November: Thanksgiving, and all that delicious food, for instance, and a host of movements like No Shave November and #NonProfitNovember, which you can read more about over at the ExpressTaxExempt blog.

And maybe most importantly, November is election month. Even in off years like this one, citizens of different states will still find themselves at the polls on a day in November to vote on local and state issues. At least, they will if they want to have a say in their tax laws and policies:

Washington
Voters in Washington state will decide this November whether to cut the state sales tax from 6.5% to 5.5%, if the legislature does not place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to require a 2/3 vote of the legislature to raise other taxes. This measure is almost certain to be challenged in court if it passes.

Colorado
In the state of Colorado this year, $58 million in tax revenue was generated from sales of legal marijuana. Now, Colorado voters will have to decide whether to allow the state to keep it. Under the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, passed in 1992, Colorado is required to refund tax revenues that exceed state budget estimates. If voters reject this year’s measure, the $58 million will be refunded by cutting taxes on marijuana sales and through rebates to growers and taxpayers.

Mississippi
It’s common knowledge that public schools are taxpayer funded, but this month Mississippi voters will vote on two measures that would dramatically alter the way the state pays for public education. One measure requires the state to fund “an adequate and efficient system of free public schools.” The alternative, put on the ballot by the legislature, would give lawmakers the ability to fund schools at their discretion.

Oregon
Oregon voters will vote on two tax changes this month. For the Grants Pass sales tax, voters will decide on a 2% sales tax to generate money for public-safety services; and for the Pendleton gas tax, the city is seeking a 10-year fuel tax of 5 cents a gallon to raise money for street repairs and maintenance.

Even if your state isn’t listed above, keep in mind that a lot of places have local- and state-level elections each November that are every bit as important as the almost-overly-publicized presidential elections. Stay informed on what’s going on where you live so that you can have a say in how things are run.

And if you need any help running things on ExpressIRSForms.com, just reach out to our friendly customer service team; we’re always happy to help keep you up to date and in the loop. Give us a call Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (704) 839-2270 or live chat us through the site. We’re also here 24/7 by email at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Introducing ExpressIRSForms!

Sometimes spring cleaning happens in the middle of autumn or, at least, it may seem that way. Most likely spring cleaning started happening months ago and the final product only just came to fruition. At least, that’s the case around the ExpressTaxZone office.

You see, ExpressTaxZone has been royally spring cleaned. We’ve brushed up and decluttered ExpressTaxFilings and ExpressExtension, added some new features and forms, and wrapped them all up nicely and neatly into the new program, ExpressIRSForms!

Now, instead of having to first go to ExpressExtension.com to e-file your income tax extension forms, then going all the way to ExpressTaxFilings.com for your federal and state 1099 and W-2 e-filngs, you can do all this -- and more -- from one site! Just type in www.ExpressIRSForms.com, hit Enter, and you’re on your way.

And, in addition to everything you could do before, we’ve got some new forms for you. We’ve added e-filing for the newly instated Affordable Care Act Information Return Forms 1094-B/C and 1095-B/C. You can get some practice with these forms by e-filing for the optional 2014 tax year absolutely free. And our program will even save your recipient information for when it’s time to e-file the required 2015 forms, saving you a lot of time and headaches in the long run.

The ease you may remember from filing with ExpressTaxZone is still a key feature in ExpressIRSForms. We’ve taken every precaution to make sure your form is filed correctly the first time so that you can get on to more important things.

So on behalf of the entire ExpressIRSForms team, we’d like to welcome you to the site. Take a look around, and if you have any questions, just contact one of us at our headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina; we’re happy to help! Give us a call (or send us a live chat!) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at (704) 839-2270, or send us an email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com!

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