Q. What are the new changes for 1996?

A. Refer to Tax Topic 302, Highlights of Tax Changes, for a brief overview of the tax law changes that are effective in 1996. Some items will be discussed in more detail in separate topics. Remember, this information is effective for your current 1996 return. For more detailed information, refer to Publication 553, Highlights of 1996 Tax Changes.

Q. Has the exclusion from income of up to $5,250 of employer-provided educational assistance under a qualified plan been extended?

A. Yes. It will now expire for tax years beginning after May 31, 1997. However, the exclusion does not apply to graduate-level courses that begin after June 30, 1996. For more information, get Publication 508, Educational Expenses.

Q. What can I do to avoid any errors on my tax return in order to receive my refund as quickly as possible?

A. Refer to Tax Topic 303, Checklist of Common Errors When Preparing Your Tax Return, to assist you in double checking your arithmetic and your entire return to help eliminate any delays in receiving your refund.

Q. If I won't be able to finish my return by April 15, 1997, can I get an extension?

A. Yes. You can get an extension by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by April 15, 1997. By filing the extension, you avoid the late filing penalty. However, Form 4868 does not extend the time to pay your income tax. For more details, refer to Tax Topic 304, Extensions of Time to File Your Tax Return.

Special rules apply to U.S. citizens and residents who are not in the United States on April 15. For more information, refer to Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad.

Q. I will be vacationing overseas on April 15, 1997. Since I will be out of the country, do I qualify for the automatic 2-month extension?

A. You are allowed an automatic 2-month extension (until June 16, 1997, if you use a calendar year) to file your 1996 return and pay any federal income tax that is due if you are a U.S. Citizen or resident and on the regular due date (April 15, 1997, if you use a calendar year):

1.You are living outside of the United States and Puerto Rico, and your main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico, or

2.You are in the military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

Q. How long do I need to keep certain records?

A. Records such as receipts, canceled checks, and other documents that prove an item of income or a deduction appearing on your return should be kept until the period of limitations expires for that return. Usually this is 3 years from the date the return was due or filed, or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. There is no period of limitations when a return is false or fraudulent or when no return is filed. You should keep some records indefinitely, such as property records, since you may need them to prove the gain or loss if the property is sold. For more details, refer to Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals.

If you are an employer, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least 4 years after the tax is due or paid, whichever is later. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 305, Recordkeeping. People in business often have expenses for travel, entertainment, and gifts. The documentation you should keep for each of these expenses can be found in Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses.

Q. I was a student in 1995 and had no income. In 1996, I started working and did not have enough tax withheld. Will I owe a penalty because I did not make estimated tax payments?

A. You will not have to pay a penalty for 1996 if you did not owe tax for 1995. For additional information on the penalty for underpayment of estimated tax, refer to Tax Topic 306. For information on how to increase the amount of tax withheld by your employer, refer to Tax Topic 753, Form W- 4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. For information on estimated tax requirements, refer to Tax Topic 355 or Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.

Q. I recently opened up a new account at the bank, and they asked me to complete a Form W-9. Is this necessary?

A. Your investment income is generally not subject to regular withholding, however, it may be subject to backup withholding to ensure that income tax is collected on this income.

Q. Under backup withholding, when you open up a new account you must certify under penalties of perjury that your social security number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding. Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is used to make this certification.

A. If you fail to make this certification on Form W-9, or similar statement, backup withholding may begin immediately on your new account, and 31% of the interest paid on your account will be withheld. For additional information on who is subject to backup withholding, refer to Tax Topic 307.

Q. I have already filed my return and now I have received another Form W-2. What can I do?

A. If you find that you did not report some income, you claimed deductions or credits you should not have claimed, you failed to claim some deductions or credits you are entitled to, or you should have used a different filing status, you should file an amended return. The form you use to correct the Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ you already have filed is Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Refer to Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, for additional information.

For additional information on when, where, and how to file, refer to Tax Topic 301.

Q. Who should I call to report someone who is not filing tax returns?

A. If you believe someone is violating federal tax laws, you should contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for the Criminal Investigation Hotline in your area. If you prefer, you may provide your information in writing to your local IRS office, or the Criminal Investigation Branch at the service center where you file your return. Refer to your tax package for the address of your service center. Although you are not required to identify yourself, it is helpful to do so. Your identity will be kept confidential. You may also be entitled to a reward. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 309, Tax Fraud - How to Report.

Q. What is the difference between Form 8821 and Form 2848?

A. Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization, is used to authorize someone to receive confidential tax information. Form 8821 cannot be used to name an individual to represent you before the IRS. Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, is used to authorize the individual or individuals named to receive confidential tax information and to represent you before the IRS. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 310, Power of Attorney Information.

Q. Does a power of attorney stay in effect for more than one year?

A. When you complete the Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, you must show the type of tax, the tax form number, and the year or period(s) for which the power is granted. You can list returns for any number of specified years or periods that have already ended and returns for years or periods that will end no later than three years from the date the form is signed. A general reference to "all years," "all periods," or "all taxes" is not acceptable. The Form 2848 will be returned to you for correction if you use such general references. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 310, Power of Attorney Information.

Q. I forgot to mail my Form W-2, schedules or forms with my tax return. What should I do?

A. Wait until the Internal Revenue Service requests the Form W- 2, schedules or forms. The request will be made in writing within six weeks from the date you mailed the return.

Q. I just received my tax package in the mail. Why are there so many forms and schedules in it?

A. We print several packages that include different forms and schedules that may be filed with Form 1040. We mail you the package that includes the items you may need based on what you filed last year. We use packages instead of mailing forms and schedules separately as a cost-saving measure for us and a convenience for you.

Q. Do I have to file all the forms and schedules that are in my tax package?

A. No. Complete and attach to your return only the forms and schedules you need to report your income, deductions, and credits.

Q. I'm concerned about the public debt. Can I make a payment to reduce it?

A. Yes. If you wish to do so, enclose a separate check with your income tax return. Make it payable to "Bureau of the Public Debt." You can also send the check separately to: Bureau of the Public Debt, Department G, Washington, DC 20239-0601. You may be able to deduct this contribution on your 1996 tax return if you itemize your deductions. Do not add your contribution to any tax you may owe. If you owe tax, make a separate check for that amount payable to "Internal Revenue Service."

Q. How do I obtain copies of Revenue Rulings, Revenue Procedures, and Internal Revenue Bulletins?

A. Contact the following:

Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402-9325
(202) 783-3238

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