TeleTax (Recorded Tax Information,Automated Refund Information, and TeleTax Topics by Computer) TeleTax is the IRS toll-free telephone service that provides both recorded tax information and automated refund information.

Recorded Tax Information consists of approximately 150 recorded topics, listed below, that provide basic tax information. This Touch-Tone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Select, by number, the topic you want to hear, and then call 1-800-829-4477. For the directory of topics, listen to topic #123. You may listen to as many topics as you like during your call. Have paper and pencil handy to take notes.

Automated Refund Information allows you to check the status of your refund. Be sure to have a copy of your current tax return available since you will need to know the first social security number shown on your return, the filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. Then call 1-800-829-4477 and follow the recorded instructions.

The IRS updates refund information every 7 days. If you call to find out about the status of your refund and do not receive a refund mailing date, please wait 7 days before calling back. This Touch-Tone service is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TeleTax Topics by Computer at www.irs.gov is another way to get the listing of TeleTax topics.

TeleTax Topic Menu Numbers

Topic numbers are effective January 1, 2001

IRS Help Available

• 101 IRS services -- Volunteer tax assistance, toll-free telephone, walk-in assistance, and outreach programs
• 102 Tax assistance for individuals with disabilities and the hearing impaired
• 103 Intro to Federal taxes for small business/self-employed
• 104 Taxpayer Advocate Program -- Help for problem situations
• 105 Public libraries -- Tax information tapes and reproducible tax forms

IRS Procedures

• 151 Your appeal rights
• 152 Refunds -- How long they should take
• 153 What to do if you haven't filed your tax return
• 154 Forms W-2 and Form 1099-R -- What to do if not received
• 155 Forms and publications -- How to order
• 156 Copy of your tax return -- How to get one
• 157 Change of address -- How to notify IRS
• 158 Ensuring proper credit of payments
• 159 Prior year(s) Form W-2 -- How to get a copy of

Collection

• 201 The collection process
• 202 What to do if you can't pay your tax
• 203 Failure to pay child support federal nontax and state income tax obligations
• 204 Offers in compromise
• 205 Innocent spouse relief (and separation of liability and equitable relief)

Alternative Filing Methods

• 251 Electronic signatures
• 252 Electronic filing
• 253 Substitute tax forms
• 254 How to choose a paid tax preparer

General Information

• 301 When, where, and how to file
• 302 Highlights of tax changes
• 303 Checklist of common errors when preparing your tax return
• 304 Extensions of time to file your tax return
• 305 Recordkeeping
• 306 Penalty for underpayment of estimated tax
• 307 Backup withholding
• 308 Amended returns
• 309 Roth IRA contributions
• 310 Coverdell education savings account
• 311 Power of attorney information
• 312 Disclosure authorizations
• 313 Qualified tuition programs (QTPs)

Filing Requirements, Filing Status and Exemptions

• 351 Who must file?
• 352 Which form -- 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ?
• 353 What is your filing status?
• 354 Dependents
• 355 Estimated tax
• 356 Decedents
• 357 Tax information for parents of kidnapped children

Types of Income

• 401 Wages and salaries
• 402 Tips
• 403 Interest received
• 404 Dividends
• 405 Refunds of state and local taxes
• 406 Alimony received
• 407 Business income
• 408 Sole proprietorship
• 409 Capital gains and losses
• 410 Pensions and annuities
• 411 Pensions -- The general rule and the simplified method
• 412 Lump-sum distributions
• 413 Rollovers from retirement plans
• 414 Rental income and expenses
• 415 Renting vacation property and renting to relatives
• 416 Farming and fishing income
• 417 Earnings for clergy
• 418 Unemployment compensation
• 419 Gambling income and expenses
• 420 Bartering income
• 421 Scholarship and fellowship grants
• 422 Nontaxable income
• 423 Social security and equivalent railroad retirement benefits
• 424 401(k) plans
• 425 Passive activities -- Losses and credits
• 426 Other income
• 427 Stock options
• 428 Roth IRA distributions
• 429 Traders in securities (information for Form 1040 filers)
• 430 Exchange of policyholder interest for stock
• 431 Sale of assets held for more than 5 years

Adjustments to Income

• 451 Individual retirement arrangements (IRAs)
• 452 Alimony paid
• 453 Bad debt deduction
• 454 Tax shelters
• 455 Moving expenses
• 456 Student loan interest deduction
• 457 Tuition and fees deduction
• 458 Education expense deduction

Itemized Deductions

• 501 Should I itemize?
• 502 Medical and dental expenses
• 503 Deductible taxes
• 504 Home mortgage points
• 505 Interest expense
• 506 Contributions
• 507 Casualty and theft losses
• 508 Miscellaneous expenses
• 509 Business use of home
• 510 Business use of car
• 511 Business travel expenses
• 512 Business entertainment expenses
• 513 Educational expenses
• 514 Employee business expenses
• 515 Caualty, disaster and theft losses

Tax Computation

• 551 Standard deduction
• 552 Tax and credits figured by the IRS
• 553 Tax on a child's investment income
• 554 Self-employment tax
• 555 Ten-year tax option for lump-sum distributions
• 556 Alternative minimum tax
• 557 Tax on early distributions from traditional and Roth IRAs
• 558 Tax on early distributions from retirement plans

Tax Credits

• 601 Earned income credit (EIC)
• 602 Child and dependent care credit
• 603 Credit for the elderly or the disabled
• 604 Advance earned income credit
• 605 Education credits
• 606 Child tax credits
• 607 Adoption credit
• 608 Excess social security and RRTA tax withheld
• 610 Retirement savings contributions credit

IRS Notices

• 651 Notices -- what to do
• 652 Notice of underreported income -- CP 2000
• 653 IRS notices and bills, and penalties and interest charges

Basis of Assets, Depreciation, and Sale of Assets

• 701 Sale of your home
• 703 Basis of assets
• 704 Depreciation
• 705 Installment sales

Employer Tax Information

• 751 Social security and Medicare withholding rates
• 752 Form W-2 -- Where, when, and how to file
• 753 Form W-4 -- Employee's withholding allowance certificate
• 754 Form W-5 -- Advance earned income credit
• 755 Employer identification number (EIN) -- How to apply
• 756 Employment taxes for household employees
• 757 Form 941 -- Deposit requirements
• 758 Form 941 -- Employer's quarterly federal tax return
• 759 Form 940 and Form 940-EZ -- Deposit requirements
• 760 Form 940 and Form 940-EZ -- Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment

Tax Returns

• 761 Tips -- Withholding and reporting
• 762 Independent contractor vs employee

Magnetic Media Filers -- 1099 Series and Related Information Returns

• 801 Who must file magnetically
• 802 Applications, forms, and information
• 803 Waivers and extensions
• 804 Test files and combined federal and state filing
• 805 Electronic filing of information returns

Tax Information for Aliens and U.S. Citizens Living Abroad

• 851 Resident and nonresident aliens
• 852 Dual-status alien
• 853 Foreign earned income exclusion -- General
• 854 Foreign earned income exclusion -- Who qualifies?
• 855 Foreign earned income exclusion -- What qualifies?
• 856 Foreign tax credit
• 857 IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number -- Form W-7
• 858 Alien tax clearance

Tax Information for Puerto Rico Residents (in Spanish only)

• 901 Who must file a U.S. income tax return in Puerto Rico
• 902 Deductions and credits for Puerto Rico filers
• 903 Federal employment taxes in Puerto Rico
• 904 Tax assistance for Puerto Rico residents

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