Today is the Last Day to E-file These Information Returns!

Heads up, information return filers!

In case you haven’t heard, today’s a pretty big deadline for 1099 and W-2 filers.

W-2 Forms
As we mentioned a time or two before, the filing deadline for all W-2 Forms for the 2016 tax year is January 31, 2017. This means:

• W-2 Forms to your recipients must be postmarked and sent today.
• W-2 Forms to be filed with the Social Security Administration need to be filed on paper or electronically today.

If you still need to get started, there’s no time to waste. Read on to see how ExpressIRSForms can help!

1099 Forms
1099 Form filers who haven’t begun filing for the 2016 tax year yet may be in slightly less dire straits - if they fall in the right categories. Regardless of the 1099, you need to file or what you need to report on it, the recipient copies must be mailed out today, January 31, 2017.

And if you need to file Form 1099-MISC to report nonemployee compensation in box 7, you must file Copy A of Form 1099-MISC with the IRS today. You may also be required to file a copy of this form with your state today as well.

E-filing with ExpressIRSForms
ExpressIRSForms is the perfect place for last-minute filing. Not only do we begin the IRS e-filing process as soon as you hit transmit (ensuring you that pre-11:59 p.m. timestamp that marks your return on time), we’ll also print, stamp, and mail your recipient copies!

Now, we can only guarantee your recipient copies go out today if you get them in by 11:00 a.m. EST today. But we are pulling extra hours to provide the support you need so get them in as soon as you can anyway.

Speaking of support, if you have any questions as we get down to the wire, we’re here and we’re open late. Give us a call at (704) 684-4751 or send us a live chat and we’ll do our best to help you get everything filed on time. And, as always, you can also send us an email to support@ExpressIRSForms.com and we’ll make sure you get a speedy response!

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How to File Form 1099-R with ExpressIRSForms

Did you know that you can E-file 1099-R with ExpressIRSForms??

Well you can!

What’s Form 1099-R?

Form 1099-R is the form used to report distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement or profit-sharing plans, IRAs, insurance contracts, etc. If distributions of $10 or more were paid from one of these sources to an individual during the calendar year, it must be reported on Form 1099-R to the IRS and to the individual receiving the funds.

Most public and private pension plans not included in the Civil Service System can use Form 1099-R to report distributions as well. Filers can also use Form 1099-R to report certain death benefit payments from employers and disability payments from retiring plans.

When Does it Need to be Filed?

Like other 1099 Forms, Form 1099-R needs to be filed with the IRS the year following the tax year the distribution payments were made. So for the 2016 tax year, the deadlines for when 1099-R Forms need to be turned in are:

• January 31, 2017, for recipient copies to be mailed out.
• February 28, 2017, for IRS copies to be mailed, if paper filing.
• March 31, 2017, for IRS copies to be transmitted, if e-filing.

And also like with other 1099 Forms, the Form 1099-R IRS deadline can be extended for 30 days by applying for an extension with Form 8809.

How to E-file Form 1099-R with ExpressIRSForms

Of course, one of the easiest ways to file Form 1099-R is with ExpressIRSForms! Simply log into your account and select the “Create New Form” button. Choose the 1099-R option and fill in the information needed to complete the form. Then, you’ll review your completed form(s), pay a one-time transmittal fee, and e-file your form(s) directly with the IRS. Easy peasy!

And if you select postal mailing when you check out, we’ll even send your payee copies out to your recipients for you by the next business day!

If you have any questions about getting started (or) e-filing your 1099-R Form with the IRS, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We offer live customer support by phone (704-684-4751) and chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. We also offer 24/7 assistance at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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There are Only TWO Weeks Left to File Form W-2!

Alright, guys, January 31 is two weeks away and you know what that means:

You have two weeks left to file your W-2 Forms for employees you paid in 2016.

As we mentioned before, the deadline for all W-2 Forms to be in the hands they need to be (your employees’ and the SSA’s), in any format (paper or e-filing), is January 31, 2017. The Social Security Administration changed the deadline at the end of last year to apply beginning in 2017 with the 2016 tax year.

To spell it out for you, this means that

• Your employee copies of Form W-2 must be mailed out by January 31, and
• Your SSA paper copies of Form W-2 must be mailed out by January 31, or
• Your SSA electronic copies of Form W-2 must be e-filed by January 31.

You may still have time to file an extension form (Form 8809), but keep in mind that it’s no longer automatic and you’re required to have a reason for needing more time to file. So you can apply, but if your extension is denied, you’ll still need to have your W-2 Forms in by January 31. Even if your extension is approved, this only applies for your time to file with the SSA, not for your time to get your employee copies out.

Of course, the quickest and easiest way to file your W-2 Forms and get your employee copies out is to do everything with ExpressIRSForms!

With ExpressIRSForms, you can easily and quickly enter in your W-2 information (either individually or with our bulk upload), then our program creates the IRS-authorized forms you need. Once you review that everything is entered correctly, just pay our one-time e-filing fee and securely e-file your forms directly with the SSA. And if you select postal mailing before you check out, we’ll mail your forms to your employees for you! By the next business day, we’ll print IRS-authorized copies of Form W-2 to send off to the employees for whom you filed.

In other words, just spending a few minutes on ExpressIRSForms could get all of your W-2 Form filing completely done!

If you have any questions about getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer support team! 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 offer 24/7 assistance at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Minimum Essential Coverage

When we talk about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the phrase “Minimum Essential Coverage” gets thrown around a lot, and it’s an important one. As an employer, you’ll need to keep Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) in mind when providing your employees with health insurance. In this post, we’ll dive into why that is.

What is Minimum Essential Coverage?
Minimum Essential Coverage, or MEC, is the phrase used to describe the type of healthcare coverage you’ll need to provide to applicable employees in order to stay compliant with the ACA. It’s pretty straightforward in its definition as it applies to any coverage that offers at least the minimum amount of benefits required to be had by all American taxpayers.

MEC usually goes hand in hand with Minimum Value (MV), meaning the coverage you offer pays for at least 60% of the total allowed cost of benefits under the plan.

What Types of Health Insurance are Considered MEC?
For the most part, all Government and job-based insurance, as well as most private insurance, meet MEC requirements. This includes:

• Employer-sponsored coverage
• COBRA and retiree coverage
• Medicare Part A & Medicare Advantage coverage
• Most Medicaid coverage
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage
• Some types of Veterans Administration coverage
• TRICARE
• Coverage provided under the Peace Corps
• Coverage under the Non-appropriated Fund Health Benefit Program
• Refugee Medical Assistance (supported by Administration for Children and Families)

What Doesn’t Count as MEC?

• Plans that provide limited benefits typically don’t qualify as MEC, such as:
• Short Term Health Plans
• Fixed Benefit Health Plans
• Supplemental Medicare (Part D, Medigap)
• Some Medicaid
• Vision-only, Dental-only, and other limited benefit plans
• Grandfathered plans

So now that you know about MEC, get ready to e-file your ACA forms with ExpressIRSForms! All you need to do is create an account and you’re on your way. If you need any help with the process, don’t hesitate to contact our customer support team in Rock Hill, SC. We’re available by phone Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT, at (704) 684-4751. If you can’t get us then, we offer 24/7 email assistance at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.



Looking for something a little less hands on? Try ExpressACAForms, our full-service ACA e-filing solution!

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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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ExpressIRSForms E-filing Features: Bulk Upload

When you e-file with ExpressIRSForms, you have access to a few bonus features designed to make your 1099, W-2, and ACA filings the easiest they’ve ever been. Of these functions, the Bulk Upload option is great if you’re one of our high volume filers.

We added the Bulk Upload feature, so you don’t have to input information for each recipient or employee if you’ve got a whole bunch of ‘em. Instead, just upload an Excel spreadsheet (or use ours!) of your recipients’ information, then check to make sure everything transferred correctly before transmitting all of your forms. It’s so easy, we’ll break it down for you:

First Things First
Create or log into your account from www.ExpressIRSForms.com. On your Dashboard, you’ll see an orange button that says Start New Form. Click this. Pro tip: If you’ve filed with us before and have multiple payers, make sure to select the appropriate payer on the left side of the screen before starting your forms.

From the handy dandy pop-up, select which forms you need to file (1099, W-2, or ACA). You’ll then either enter your payer information, or verify the information is correct if you’re filing for a payer already in your account. When you hit Continue, you’ll see this:

Select the Bulk Upload option, and we’re on our way!

Here Comes the Upload

Once you select Bulk Upload, you’ll be asked to choose if you want to upload your own Excel spreadsheet…

Or use ours. Let’s pretend you’re going to use ours:

Step 1 is to download the blank Excel document. Transfer the information needed for your recipients into this document, then make sure to save it. Next, upload your newly saved Excel document by clicking Choose File under Step 3. Press the magical, orange Upload button, and ALAKAZAM! Your information will appear in your account all at once.

Well, okay, it’s not that magical. But for someone who isn’t super knowledgeable about how computers work (like me), it’s pretty darn close.

And Now for the Previews
Next, you’ll need to make sure all of the data is mapped correctly. If you used our Bulk Upload document, you shouldn’t have to do anything. But if you used your own, you may need to move and adjust where each value is supposed to go on the form.

Once everything is in its proper place, you can preview your forms by clicking to the next step:

Use the blue arrows (seen circled in green) to scroll through your forms to make sure all your ducks are in a row, then click Continue to Import. You’ll then see this nifty little screen:

Double check to make sure everything imported correctly. In other words, make sure the first two numbers match (and match the number of forms you need to file) and the last number is zero. From there, click Go to Summary, where you’ll see a summary of your order. Once you’re satisfied with your filing, you can pay and transmit your forms to the IRS. No heavy lifting required.

In this example, I was pretending to e-file 1099 forms, but the Bulk Upload feature works the same for any form you need to file with ExpressIRSForms. The only difference between uploading 1099s, W-2s, or ACA forms is the information required in your spreadsheet.

If you have any questions about the e-filing process or need help with the Bulk Upload feature, don’t hesitate to contact our customer support team. We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, and by email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Words of Wisdom from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy MLK Day, ExpressIRSForms users! While a lot of you may be joining us from the comfort of a three-day weekend, the ExpressIRSForms office is up and running today to help you e-file your 1099s, W-2s, and ACA forms. So to honor the good doctor on his day, we’ve brought you some words of wisdom from him to carry you throughout your day and week.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

When you are right, you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.

Whatever your life’s work, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.

Have a wonderful week ExpressIRSForms readers! For more of your regularly scheduled 1099, W-2, and ACA related blogs, tune back Wednesday. In the meantime, if you need any help with your e-filing, we’re here Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat. We’ve also still got 24/7 email support going at support@expressirsforms.com.

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More on the W-9

The Cinderella story of the December ExpressIRSForms blogs was “E-Sign Form W-9 with ExpressIRSForms.” So since our readers are so interested in this form, we decided why not tell you all a little more about it?

The Process
To have your W-9 forms e-signed by your recipients through ExpressIRSForms is convenient and cost-effective. Simply sign up for your free ExpressIRSForms account, and from your Dashboard click “Request W-9.” Then, enter in all the payer information required (name, EIN, address, contact info) and the name and email address of each of your recipients. Next you’ll send your requests and wait for them to come back to you, completed and e-signed.

When your recipients receive your W-9 request, they’ll have the option to accept it, fill it out, and resubmit it, or reject it. We’ll alert you via email to keep you updated on the status of your requests, and you’ll have the option to choose how often you’d like to be alerted. We’ll either:

• send you an email every time a recipient completes or rejects a W-9 or
• send you an email once a day with a summary of your total, signed, and pending W-9 requests.

So now that we’ve told you a bit about the process, here are a couple of benefits to having your W-9s e-signed...

More Accuracy
Whether you’re filing Form 1099, Form W-2, or ACA forms, or signing a Form W-9, doing so electronically leaves far less room for error. Roughly 10-21% of paper filings are estimated to have common errors, whereas the IRS estimates a 1 in 200 chance for making the same errors when e-filing or e-signing.

E-Signing is FREE with ExpressIRSForms
Need we say more? Not only are you saving on paper and filing cabinet space when you e-sign, you’re saving money too! So what are you waiting for? Give it a try now, while there’s still time to get the information you may still need for your 1099s and W-2s.

And if you need any help, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly, expert support team here in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We offer phone (704-839-2270) and live chat support Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and 24/7 email support through support@expressirsforms.com.

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Marriage and Taxes

Depending on who you talk to, “marriage and taxes” may just be one step up from “death and taxes.” But we’re not those people; ExpressIRSForms hasn’t been around long enough to be that jaded yet.

While there are many wonderful and fun things about marriage, it’s important to know that tying the knot affects your taxes as much as it affects your living situation (and, you know, the rest of your life). But before we get started on the changes, it’s important to note that marriage is a time-honored tradition of love and companionship, not a tax break. It’s true you get some benefits from the IRS when you’re married, but those aren’t the benefits you should focus on when deciding to get hitched.

Filing Status
If you’re legally married on December 31, you’re considered legally married for the full year in the eyes of the IRS, which is probably good news for the procrastinating elopers out there. More importantly, this means that you must file your taxes for that year as either “married filing jointly” or “married filing separately.” Generally, filing jointly provides the most beneficial tax outcome for the majority of couples. Keep in mind though, that if you’re married and file a joint return, your income is combined, which could bump one or both of you into a higher tax bracket with a higher rate of tax imposed on your income.

Document Changes
In addition to your change in filing status, a few other changes will need to be made to make sure your tax filing is accurate. If you’re planning on filing jointly, it may be wise to change your Form W-4 on file with your employer to reflect your new status. Claiming an additional allowance and/or changing withholding to the “married” rate means that less taxes are withheld from your pay. If you changed your name when you got married, you’ll need to make sure you’ve notified the Social Security Administration (SSA). Your return is filed under your Social Security number, so to avoid any errors or mismatches, wait until the name change process is complete to file your tax returns.

Exemptions and Standard Deduction
If you file jointly as a married couple, you get to claim two personal exemptions (one for each of you) on the tax return instead of one. Additionally, a dependent exemption is allowed for each child claimed as a dependent on the tax return. Filing jointly, you also have the highest standard deduction allowed on a tax return. For 2015, single taxpayers and married taxpayers filing separately are allowed a standard deduction of $6,300 whereas married couples filing jointly are allowed $12,600. However, once you’re married and own a home, many people find that it’s more advantageous to itemize their deductions rather than claim the standard deduction.

The Affordable Care Act
One day a blog post will go by where we don’t mention the Affordable Care Act, but today is not that day. With the ACA, you’re eligible to receive an advance tax credit to help pay your health insurance premiums if you purchase insurance through a Marketplace. If you or your new spouse receive advance payments of this credit, you should report your marriage (and any moves or change in income or family size) to the Marketplace so they can adjust your advance credit payments if necessary.

Whether you’re wrapped up in newlywed bliss or secretly loving that you’re now the cranky old married couple of the neighborhood, it’s important to remain informed when you file your tax returns. At ExpressIRSForms, we’re here to help in any way we can with the e-filing process. Just send us an email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com. You can also live chat us or give us a call Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, at (704) 839-2270.

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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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ACA Forms: The Benefits of E-filing with ExpressIRSForms

We’ll be back to your regularly scheduled blogs after this final ACA-themed one! We’ve gone over the basics of the ACA forms, and delved more into Forms 1095-B and 1095-C. We’ve even talked about what your employees and recipients need to know about the Affordable Care Act information returns.

But even after all of the long talks we’ve had, what real reason do you have to e-file your ACA returns this year and in years to come? Well, this is the blog post where we give you a few reasons to file with us, starting with…

The 250 Rule
If you’re filing more than 250 of either Form 1095-B or 1095-C, the IRS requires you to e-file your forms. Although the IRS will tell you they do recommend e-filing regardless of how many forms you’re filing, because e-filing is a speedier process and leaves less room for error. And since the IRS recommends us too (we were one of the first e-filing services to be IRS-authorized for e-filing ACA forms!), it only seems right that you use ExpressIRSForms to e-file.

No Form 1094
When you paper file Forms 1095-B and 1095-C, you have to include a transmittal Form 1094-B or 1094-C. Think of it as a cover letter that summarizes all of the information in the forms you’re filing. When you e-file, there’s no need for this form since you’re not sending a stack of papers through the mail. Fill out fewer forms: e-file with ExpressIRSForms.

It’s Pretty Easy...
Like our other tax products, it was important to us that our clients have the simplest filing experience ever with ExpressIRSForms. Our program will walk you through your forms step by step, providing helpful hints and guidelines along the way. We’ll also perform an error check before you transmit your forms to make sure everything gets filed correctly the first time around.

...And It’s Free!
That’s right! It’s absolutely free to e-file the optional 2014 ACA information returns with ExpressIRSForms. It’s always free to create an account with us, and since these ACA forms are brand new, we thought our users might like a free trial with them. Just create your account, choose the form you’d like to fill out, and see how easy it is to e-file with us at no cost to you. Your recipient information will also be saved securely in your account with our cloud-based software, so in a month or so when you do your 2015 ACA returns, you can complete your e-filing in just a matter of clicks!

Lastly, The Service
At ExpressIRSForms, our customer service is second to none. We’re available by phone all year (not just during tax season!), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST at (704) 839-2270. We also offer live chat through our website during these hours and email support at support@expressirsforms.com 24/7. Our US-based headquarters in Rock Hill, SC offers complimentary support in English and Spanish. Whatever your e-filing need, we’re here to help!

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Happy Thanksgiving from ExpressIRSForms!

Let all of us at ExpressIRSForms be the first to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! We’d also like to extend our gratitude for each and every one of our customers this holiday season. Without your support for ExpressTaxFilings, we never could have grown into the team we are today. And with even more more forms added to our same quick and easy e-filing service, we know you’ll love filing this tax season with ExpressIRSForms!

(Okay, maybe “love” is a strong word, but “Your tax filing season will be the most bearable one yet” just sounds dull.)

Our office will be open during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m today, November 25 with phone (704-839-2270), live chat, and email support. We will be closed tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, and on Friday, November 27th. Email support will be back up and running on Friday and throughout the weekend at support@expressirsforms.com.

Thank you again for choosing ExpressIRSForms. We appreciate your business and wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings.

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Riddle Me This: Are You Ready for Tax Season?

Riddles are wonderful little brain enhancers. But when riddles could affect your tax return - and subsequently cause you penalties for getting them wrong - they tend to lose their charm.

That’s why ExpressIRSForms is committed to turning the riddles of the IRS’s tax jargon into directions that aren’t so... riddle-culous. The only time you should face any real penalties because of a riddle is if a sphinx is asking. Go ahead and create a free account through ExpressIRSForms and see just how easy it is to complete and e-file your information tax returns!

And even if you get into the program and things start to seem like they were written by one of Batman’s foes, the ExpressIRSForms support team will come to the rescue! Just give us a call at (704) 839-2270, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We’re also available by live chat through our website, and we offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

So now that we’ve set your mind at ease about these IRS forms, here are a few riddles to help get your mind in shape for the upcoming tax season:

1. Paul’s height is six feet, he’s an assistant at a butcher’s shop, and wears size 9 shoes. What does he weigh?
2. What kind of tree can you carry in your hand?
3. If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven’t got me. What am I
4. Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?
5. Imagine you are in a dark room. How do you get out?
6. A girl who was just learning to drive went down a one-way street in the wrong direction, but didn’t break the law. How come?
7. And the toughie: You have been given the task of transporting 3,000 apples 1,000 miles from Appleland to Bananaville. Your truck can carry 1,000 apples at a time. Every time you travel a mile towards Bananaville you must pay a tax of 1 apple but you pay nothing when going towards Appleland. What is the highest number of apples you can get to Bananaville?

Answers:

1. Meat
2. A palm tree
3. A secret
4. A ton
5. Stop imagining
6. She was walking.
7. 833. You drive the first 334 miles starting with 1,000 apples in each load, leaving you with 1,998 apples remaining at 334 miles. Now you can continue with two loads of 999 apples until mile 833, where you’ll have 1,000 apples remaining. Drive the remaining 167 miles to Bananaville, where you’ll arrive with 833 apples.

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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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