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Okay, hearing “IRS” may send chills down your spine, but you can make this relationship work for you. Many people just toss money at the IRS without really understanding why or what they are doing. This often results in further frustration when notification comes that something hasn’t been filed correctly or you learn that they got more of your money than you actually owed. By logging onto the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, you can access a wide array of tools and information to help make your tax filing a more pleasant experience.

The IRS Web site now provides e-file options for many categories of taxpayers, including individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. By e-filing through the IRS you can be sure that your taxes are getting exactly where they need to go. Filing electronically also saves on the mess and cost that goes along with paper filing and postage to have your taxes mailed in.

Once in a while someone will encounter an ongoing problem with the IRS or have an issue that needs special attention. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that exists solely to help taxpayers resolve these issues and recommend changes to help prevent similar problems in the future. The Taxpayer Advocate Service can be contacted by a toll-free telephone call to 1-877-777-4778. A list of Taxpayer Advocate Service offices may be found in Publication 1546, The Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS, which may be downloaded and printed from the IRS Web site.

The Forms and Publications section of the IRS Web site provides downloadable tax forms as well as instructions for filling each form out. You can also find links to state tax forms and other federal forms here. If you would rather have tax forms or packages of forms sent to your home or office you can place an order online through this section of the Web site.

If you’re having trouble figuring out a particular section, or are unsure how to file, chances are somebody else has had the same problems. The IRS has provided a list of frequently asked questions along with their answers and additional resources for each question on their Web site. They have also created a section specially tailored to the needs of businesses everywhere titled “Tax information for Business.” Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Take advantage of the toll-free tax assistance lines at 1-800-829-1040 for individual questions or 1-800-829-4933 for questions concerning your business.

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