Presidents Day weekend is peak time for IRS phone traffic. Skip the wait by visiting IRS.gov.

With the 2025 filing season underway and the anticipated high demand for IRS phone lines around the Presidents Day holiday, the Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to visit IRS.gov and use online tools to get immediate answers.

Presidents Day weekend is typically a busy time in the tax filing season, according to IRS statistics, when calls to IRS phone lines are often at their highest.

The IRS has resources to help taxpayers beat the rush. On IRS.gov, taxpayers can use the Let us help You page that covers most topics for filing season and beyond. In addition, people can get free help online with self-service options.

The IRS offers several free filing options. There’s also step-by-step help about filing a personal federal income tax return.

Skip the mail: File electronically and choose direct deposit

Approximately 93% of taxpayers file their federal income tax returns electronically, and most choose direct deposit to receive their refunds. According to Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, paper refund checks are 16 times more likely to have an issue, like the check being lost, misdirected, stolen or uncashed.

The IRS offers free online and in-person tax preparation options for eligible taxpayers through IRS Free File, IRS Direct File and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

• Taxpayers who earned $84,000 or less in 2024 can use IRS Free File Guided Tax Software now through Oct 15. IRS Free File Fillable Forms are also available at no cost to any income level and provide electronic forms that people fill out and electronically file themselves.
• Direct File is now open in 25 participating states where taxpayers can use Direct File to e-file directly with the IRS for free. It’s a free web-based service – available in English and Spanish – that works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. It guides taxpayers through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return step-by-step. Direct File automatically guides taxpayers to state tools to complete their state taxes. Get help from IRS customer service representatives through a live chat feature in English and Spanish. Interested taxpayers can go to directfile.irs.gov, where they can determine if they’re eligible.
• The VITA and TCE programs offer free tax return preparation to eligible people in the community by IRS certified volunteers through a network of community partnerships. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including, people who generally make $67,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers. In addition to VITA, TCE program volunteers offer free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.
• MilTax, a Department of Defense program, generally offers free return preparation and electronic filing software for federal income tax returns and up to three state income tax returns for all military members and some veterans, with no income limit.

Skip the wait: Get tax info with an Individual Online Account

Individuals with Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) can create or securely access their Individual Online Account and get the latest information about their federal tax account.

With an IRS online account, taxpayers can:

• Access their tax records, including their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recently filed tax return.
• View, approve and sign authorizations from their tax professional.
• Request and view their identity protection PIN (IP PIN), a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using their information.
• Check refund status.
• Validate and save bank accounts.
• View balance and payment history and create a payment plan.
• Make a payment and schedule or cancel future payments.
• Get virtual assistance for balance due and payment-related questions.
• Manage their communication preferences.

Skip the wondering: Check refund status online

The popular Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov has the most up-to-date information available about a taxpayer’s refund status. Recent improvements to Where’s My Refund? allow taxpayers to see more detailed refund status messages in plain language, reducing the need for taxpayers to call the IRS.

Most Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return. Taxpayers can check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund date. Where’s My Refund? should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers.

Skip the phone: Get answers to tax questions online

The Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) tool on IRS.gov provides answers to several tax questions specific to individual circumstances. Based on input, ITA determines a person’s filing status, whether they should file a tax return, if someone is an eligible dependent, if a type of income is taxable, if a filer is eligible to claim a credit, if an expense is deductible and more.

Skip the headache: Use online checklists when preparing to file

Taxpayers can find out what tax paperwork and records they need to file an accurate and complete return on IRS.gov. Taxpayers should have all their important and necessary documents before preparing their return. They should also check for common errors and omissions that may slow down tax processing, including refund times.

If a taxpayer receives Form 1099-K, they should visit What to do with Form 1099-K to help them determine if that money should be reported as income on their federal tax return. Missing a W-2? Certain information return documents are available in Individual Online Account. People can sign on and get copies of Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement; Forms 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement; and Forms 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation. These forms are available for tax years 2023 and 2024.

Skip the guessing: Check eligibility for EITC using online tax assistant

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. The IRS estimates that about one in five EITC eligible taxpayers don’t claim this valuable credit. If a taxpayer qualifies, they can use the credit to reduce the taxes they owe – and maybe increase their refund.

The Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant on IRS.gov can help individuals determine:

• If they are eligible to claim the EITC.
• If they have any qualifying children or relatives.
• The estimated amount of their credit.
• The filing status they should use.

Skip the worry: Use an IP PIN to protect against tax-related identity theft

An identity protection PIN (IP PIN) is a proactive way to protect against tax-related identity theft. Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information, including Social Security numbers, to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. If a person suspects they are a victim of identity theft, they should continue to pay their taxes and file their tax return, even if they must file a paper return. Visit Identity Theft Central to find out more.

An identity protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using their Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. It helps the IRS verify a person’s identity when they file their electronic or paper tax return. The fastest way to request and receive an IP PIN is by creating an Individual Online Account. If someone wishes to get an IP PIN and they don’t already have an account on IRS.gov, they must register to validate their identity.

Skip the stress: Find a reputable tax professional at IRS.gov

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can prepare their tax return and provide helpful information and advice. People can use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications to find a preparer who is skilled in tax preparation and accurately files income tax returns.

Most tax professionals provide outstanding and professional tax service. However, choosing the wrong tax return preparer hurts taxpayers financially every year. Be sure to check tips for choosing a tax preparer and how to avoid unethical “ghost” return preparers.

While all tax professionals are required to list their preparer tax identification number (PTIN) and sign the return, some do not. Referred to as ghost preparers, these people encourage taxpayers to take advantage of tax credits and benefits for which they do not qualify. Sometimes they charge a large percentage fee of the refund or even steal the entire tax refund. After the tax return is prepared, these “ghost preparers” may simply disappear, leaving well-meaning taxpayers to deal with the consequences.

The IRS encourages people to use a trusted tax professional because even when the tax return preparer signs the return, the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of every item reported on their return. Visit IRS.gov to find a reputable tax professional.

Skip the surprise: Use the Tax Withholding Estimator

Taxpayers should check their tax withholding every year, especially if they experience a major life change. The Tax Withholding Estimator tool allows taxpayers to estimate the federal income tax they want their employer to withhold from their paycheck.

By using the Tax Withholding Estimator, taxpayers can adjust their tax withheld up front so they can protect against having too little tax withheld and prevent an unexpected tax bill or penalty at tax time next year. Taxpayers should submit a new Form W-4 to their employer to make any adjustments.

IRS.gov is the first stop for help

IRS.gov is the quickest and easiest option to get help. Taxpayers can visit IRS.gov anytime to get answers to tax questions. People can find more tips and resources by visiting the Let us help you page on IRS.gov.

Source: IRS-2025-22, Feb. 12, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that choosing the right tax professional is essential to helping them avoid tax-related identity theft and financial harm.

While most tax return preparers are trustworthy and provide high-quality service, some engage in fraud, identity theft and scams. Taxpayers must understand who they’re hiring and ask the right questions before handing over their sensitive personal and financial information.

Remember: Taxpayers are legally responsible for the accuracy of their income tax return, even if someone else prepares it.

IRS tools available to help taxpayers choose wisely

The IRS provides important resources to help taxpayers make informed decisions.

• The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help taxpayers find a tax pro who meets high standards.

• There’s also a dedicated page on IRS.gov which offers guidance for Choosing a tax professional, including tips on choosing a reputable preparer, how to avoid unethical preparers and the various types of tax return preparers available. Taxpayers should consider their unique needs to determine which kind of preparer is best for them.

Free tax preparation

The IRS offers free filing options to file electronically. Eligible individuals and families can also get free help preparing their tax return from IRS-certified volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. Taxpayers can generally qualify for VITA services if they earn $67,000 or less. TCE sites also offer free tax help but with priority assistance to people who are 60 years of age and older. To find the closest free tax help site, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.

Red flags

It’s important for taxpayers to recognize red flags when choosing a tax professional.

“Ghost” preparers – Be wary of anyone who won’t sign the tax return as the paid preparer and asks the taxpayer to sign and file the return themselves. The IRS requires tax preparers to sign returns and not doing so is a red flag and may signal fraud. These “ghost” preparers may be looking to make a quick profit and promise large refunds or charge fees based on the refund amount.

These unscrupulous “ghost” preparers often print the return and have the taxpayer sign and mail it to the IRS. For electronically filed returns, a “ghost” preparer will prepare the tax return but refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer. Taxpayers should avoid this type of unethical behavior as it can indicate fraud.

Valid ID for tax preparers – Taxpayers should always choose a tax preparer with a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid PTIN. Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on any tax return they prepare.

Tips for choosing a tax return preparer

Here are some additional tips to consider when choosing a tax professional.

• Look for a preparer who’s available year-round. Questions may come up about a tax return after filing season ends and it’s helpful to contact the preparer when needed.

• Review the preparer’s history using the Better Business Bureau website. Look for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers. For CPAs, check the State Board of Accountancy’s website, and for attorneys check with the State Bar Association. For enrolled agents go to IRS.gov and search for “verify enrolled agent status” or check the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers.

• Discuss service fees upfront. Avoid tax return preparers who base their fees on a percentage of the refund or who offer to deposit all or part of the refund into their own accounts. Be wary of those who claim they can get larger refunds than their competitors.

• Find an authorized IRS e-file provider. They are qualified to prepare, transmit and process e-filed returns. Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit can result in faster refunds, often within 21 days.

• Provide records and receipts. Trustworthy preparers will request proper documentation and ask questions to determine the client’s total income, deductions, tax credits and other relevant details. Do not hire a preparer who e-files a tax return using a pay stub instead of a Form W-2. This is against IRS e-file rules.

• Understand the preparer’s credentials and qualifications. Attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents can represent any client before the IRS in any situation. Annual Filing Season Program participants may represent taxpayers in limited situations if they prepared and signed the tax return.

• Never sign a blank or incomplete return. Taxpayers are responsible for filing a complete and correct tax return.

• Review the tax return carefully before signing it. Be sure to ask questions if something is not clear or appears inaccurate. Any refund should go directly to the taxpayer – not into the preparer’s bank account. Review the routing and bank account number on the completed return and make sure it’s accurate.

Source: IRS-2025-21, Feb. 3, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service today provided taxpayers with six tips to make filing their 2024 tax return easier.

Most of the information below is also available on the IRS.gov Let us help you page. Taxpayers should follow these handy suggestions as they prepare to file:

1. Gather all important and necessary tax paperwork and records needed for filing a complete and accurate tax return.Errors and omissions can lead to missing a deduction or credit and slow down tax return processing and refunds.

   Before filing , taxpayers should have their:

   • Social Security numbers for everyone listed on the tax return.
   • Bank account and routing numbers.
   • Tax forms such as W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, records of digital asset transactions and other income documents.
   • Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace statement.
   • IRS letters they may have citing an amount received for a certain tax deduction or credit.
2. Report all types of income on the tax return to avoid receiving a notice or a bill from the IRS. Include income from:
   • Goods created and sold on online platforms.
   • Investment income.
   • Part-time or seasonal work.
   • Self-employment or other business activities.
   • Services provided and paid through mobile apps.
3. Avoid paper returns. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest way to get a refund. Plus, tax software helps taxpayers avoid mistakes. It does the math and guides people through each section of their tax return.
4. Consider IRS free resources to help eligible taxpayers file.
   • IRS Free File provides a free online alternative to filing a paper tax return to any individual or family who earned $84,000 or less in 2024.
   • Direct File is available in 25 participating states for eligible taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS for free. This year, Direct File supports reporting more income types and claiming more credits and deductions. The free web-based service – available in English and Spanish – provides access to IRS customer service representatives through a live chat feature and works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. Direct File guides taxpayers through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return step-by-step and automatically guides taxpayers to state tools to complete their state taxes.
   • People who make over $84,000 can use the IRS’ Free File Fillable Forms. These are the electronic version of IRS paper forms. This product is best for people who are comfortable preparing their own taxes.
   • People who generally make $67,000 or less, persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and those who are 60 years of age and older, can also find free one-on-one tax preparation help around the nation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
   • The Department of Defense provides MilTax as a free tax resource for the military community. MilTax is a suite of tax services available for members of the military, as well as qualifying veterans and family members. There are no income limits. Eligible taxpayers can use MilTax to electronically file a federal tax return and up to three state returns for free.
5. Choose tax filing options based on personal situation and comfort level with tax preparation
   • Personally file taxes.
   • Use online filing services.
   • Hire a tax professional and choose carefully. Most tax return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent service to their clients. However, dishonest tax return preparers who file false income tax returns do exist. The IRS has a Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications and more on choosing a tax proon IRS.gov.
6. Use online resources at IRS.gov to quickly get answers to tax questions, check a refund status or pay taxes. There’s no wait time or appointment needed. Online tools and resources are available 24 hours a day, including the IRS’ Interactive Tax Assistant tool and Let us help you resources, which are especially helpful.

Stay updated

• Follow the IRS’ official social media accounts and email subscription lists to stay current on the latest tax topics and alerts.
• Download the IRS2Go mobile app.
• Watch IRS YouTube videos.

Source: IRS-2025-19, Jan. 30, 2025

As tax filing season nears, the Internal Revenue Service reminds businesses to submit wage statements and certain information returns to the federal government by Jan. 31.

Filing the required forms by deadline and without errors not only helps payers and recipients avoid penalties, it also helps the IRS fight fraud by making it easier to verify income information.

The Jan. 31 deadline applies to:

• Employers filing Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements, with the Social Security Administration.
• Payers filing Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, with the IRS.

Jan. 31 is also the deadline to:

• Furnish copies of W-2, Form 1099-NEC and other information returns to the recipients. See each form’s filing instructions for the due dates to furnish copies to recipients.

E-filing

Filing electronically is the fastest, most convenient way to accurately submit forms.

As of last year, W-2s and certain other forms must be filed electronically if submitting 10 or more information returns during a calendar year. For more details, including a list of information returns subject to the new e-filing rules, see E-file information returns.

The IRS also offers free e-filing for the 1099 series using the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS), an online portal where users can prepare copies of forms to furnish, file correction and request automatic extensions.

Requesting extensions

While employers and payers may request a 30-day extension to file W-2s or certain information returns, approvals of extensions are not automatic. To request extra filing time, submit Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns PDF, by Jan. 31 or by the due date of the returns being requested.

Please note that filing a Form 8809 does not extend the deadline for furnishing wage statements to employees or information returns to the payees. Those requests must be faxed to IRS in letter form by Jan. 31. Please see About Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns, for more information.

Potential penalties

If employers and payers haven’t already, start preparing filings now so there is time to double check the accuracy of the forms and file and furnish them by Jan. 31.

Penalties may apply filings are untimely, inaccurate and/or improperly submitted to the federal government on paper. For more information, including a breakdown of potential penalties and interest, visit the Information Return Penalties page at IRS.gov.

Additional resources

Use the IRS’s forms, instructions and publications search tool to look up more information about or instructions for all current IRS forms, including those listed above, or visit the Forms, instruction and publications page on IRS.gov.

Source: IRS-2025-15, Jan. 15, 2025

President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Monday after his inauguration, including a hiring freeze for federal government workers, particularly at the Internal Revenue Service, and backing out of a global tax deal that had enjoyed support from the Biden administration. 

“I will also issue a temporary hiring freeze to ensure that we are hiring only competent people who are faithful to the American public. and we will pause the hiring of any new IRS agents,” said Trump during a rally and parade at the Capital One Arena in which he signed several executive orders after the inauguration at the nearby U.S. Capitol. “We will also require that federal workers must return to the office in person.”

Trump then began to refer to claims about thousands of armed IRS agents being hired during the Biden administration, although this claim has been disputed by the IRS and its employee union. “We are going to take the 88,000 people that they hired to go after you with guns — by the way, they are allowed to use guns and harass you like they were, and so many other people,” he said.

Trump then alluded to his campaign promise to exempt tip income from taxes.  “Do you remember my little statement about tips? Does anyone remember that little statement? I think we won Nevada because of that statement, but they went out and harassed you over the tips,” he said. “In other words, we are restoring control of our government to the people. We’re going to take those 88,000 — let’s see if they’d like to work on the border because that’s where we want them really. So we are going to have no tax on tips, right? No tax on tips.”

The executive order on the hiring freeze applies more widely than the IRS initially, but then potentially could go on much longer in stopping hiring at the IRS. 

“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order a freeze on the hiring of Federal civilian employees, to be applied throughout the executive branch,” it says. “As part of this freeze, no Federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, 2025, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or other applicable law.  Except as provided below, this freeze applies to all executive departments and agencies regardless of their sources of operational and programmatic funding.”

The order then discusses several exceptions, including military, armed forces, immigration enforcement, national security and public safety jobs. However, there’s also a special exception for the IRS, which could prove problematic during tax season when the IRS usually hires thousands of temporary workers. 

“Within 90 days of the date of this memorandum, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Director of OPM and the Administrator of the United States DOGE Service (USDS), shall submit a plan to reduce the size of the Federal Government’s workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition,” says the executive order. “Upon issuance of the OMB plan, this memorandum shall expire for all executive departments and agencies, with the exception of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  This memorandum shall remain in effect for the IRS until the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of OMB and the Administrator of USDS, determines that it is in the national interest to lift the freeze.”

One area where Trump may be hiring more workers, however, is in the so-called “External Revenue Service” that he announced last week he wants to create for collecting tariffs. He referred to it during his inauguration speech on Monday.

“I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families,” he said. “Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources.”

There does not appear to be any executive order yet on exempting tips from taxation, at least on the first day of the administration. Congress would probably need to agree to such a far-reaching change, perhaps including it within the larger reconciliation bill that’s planned for extending the Trump tax cuts. 

OECD global tax deal

After the inauguration speech at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, with further remarks at Emancipation Hall in the Capitol and at Capital One Arena, Trump headed to the White House where he signed more executive orders in the Oval Office while taking questions from reporters. He discussed some of the executive orders, especially the ones related to his pardoning of the January 6 protesters and the 75-day reprieve for TikTok, but others were only posted to the White House website. One involved the global minimum tax deal that the U.S. has been negotiating with other countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The Biden administration has been more receptive than the previous Trump administration to advancing the OECD framework for global taxation, especially outgoing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, but Republicans have been mostly opposed to it, so it has not yet been approved by Congress. The executive order seems to revive the Trump administration’s opposition to the OECD framework.

“The OECD Global Tax Deal supported under the prior administration not only allows extraterritorial jurisdiction over American income but also limits our Nation’s ability to enact tax policies that serve the interests of American businesses and workers,” said the executive order.  “Because of the Global Tax Deal and other discriminatory foreign tax practices, American companies may face retaliatory international tax regimes if the United States does not comply with foreign tax policy objectives. This memorandum recaptures our Nation’s sovereignty and economic competitiveness by clarifying that the Global Tax Deal has no force or effect in the United States.”

The executive order then authorizes the new Treasury Secretary to inform the OECD about the move. Last week, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing with Scott Bessent, who has been nominated to lead the Treasury.  

“The Secretary of the Treasury and the Permanent Representative of the United States to the OECD shall notify the OECD that any commitments made by the prior administration on behalf of the United States with respect to the Global Tax Deal have no force or effect within the United States absent an act by the Congress adopting the relevant provisions of the Global Tax Deal,” said the executive order. “The Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Trade Representative shall take all additional necessary steps within their authority to otherwise implement the findings of this memorandum.”

The order goes on to say that the Treasury Secretary should also investigate whether any foreign countries aren’t in compliance with any tax treaty with the U.S. or “have any tax rules in place, or are likely to put tax rules in place, that are extraterritorial or disproportionately affect American companies, and develop and present to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, a list of options for protective measures or other actions that the United States should adopt or take in response to such non-compliance or tax rules.”

Source: AccountingToday

As tax filing season nears, the Internal Revenue Service reminds businesses to submit wage statements and certain information returns to the federal government by Jan. 31.

Filing the required forms by deadline and without errors not only helps payers and recipients avoid penalties, it also helps the IRS fight fraud by making it easier to verify income information.

The Jan. 31 deadline applies to:

• Employers filing Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements, with the Social Security Administration.
• Payers filing Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, with the IRS.

Jan. 31 is also the deadline to:

• Furnish copies of W-2, Form 1099-NEC and other information returns to the recipients. See each form’s filing instructions for the due dates to furnish copies to recipients.

E-filing

Filing electronically is the fastest, most convenient way to accurately submit forms.

As of last year, W-2s and certain other forms must be filed electronically if submitting 10 or more information returns during a calendar year. For more details, including a list of information returns subject to the new e-filing rules, see E-file information returns.

The IRS also offers free e-filing for the 1099 series using the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS), an online portal where users can prepare copies of forms to furnish, file correction and request automatic extensions.

Requesting extensions

While employers and payers may request a 30-day extension to file W-2s or certain information returns, approvals of extensions are not automatic. To request extra filing time, submit Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns PDF, by Jan. 31 or by the due date of the returns being requested.

Please note that filing a Form 8809 does not extend the deadline for furnishing wage statements to employees or information returns to the payees. Those requests must be faxed to IRS in letter form by Jan. 31. Please see About Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns, for more information.

Potential penalties

If employers and payers haven’t already, start preparing filings now so there is time to double check the accuracy of the forms and file and furnish them by Jan. 31.

Penalties may apply filings are untimely, inaccurate and/or improperly submitted to the federal government on paper. For more information, including a breakdown of potential penalties and interest, visit the Information Return Penalties page at IRS.gov.

Additional resources

Use the IRS’s forms, instructions and publications search tool to look up more information about or instructions for all current IRS forms, including those listed above, or visit the Forms, instruction and publications page on IRS.gov.