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File
through a tax professional
Information
for Taxpayers
| Find a provider in your area | Why e-file? |
| Direct deposit information | What is e-file? |
| Status of your Iowa refund | Your preparer needs... |
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Why file Federal and State tax returns electronically?
People who do...
- Receive their Federal and state refunds in days instead of weeks
- Save tax dollars spent on processing and storing returns
- Can have their refunds directly deposited
Is it worth the time and money?
YES! Taxpayers know the return is accurate. They also appreciate knowing their return was received by the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Revenue.
Paper-filed Iowa returns take weeks to be keyed into the computer and indicate being received. If your paper return has errors, it may take as long as 6 months to process.
You will help the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Revenue reduce labor-intensive processing steps, paper usage, and storage space. This means saving tax dollars.
What is electronic filing?
Electronic filing is a fast and accurate way to file your state and Federal income tax returns. Your Iowa return can be electronically filed with your Federal return, or by itself. Your tax information is keyed into a computer and sent to the Internal Revenue Service, which then sends the state data to the Iowa Department of Revenue.
Preparers who provide this service are called Electronic Return Originators (EROs). They must register with the IRS to provide this service.
The cost of electronic filing varies. Talk to your tax preparer.
Can only "refund returns" be filed electronically?
No.
If you owe tax, you can still file electronically. Your return will be processed just as quickly and accurately, but you will not have to pay the amount you owe until the due date.
If you "break even" or have a zero-due return, you can also file electronically.
Keeping records
Whether e-filed or paper-filed, copies of income tax returns, worksheets and schedules should be kept by taxpayers for at least three years for audit purposes.
Your tax preparer will need...
State and Federal returns prepared as usual.
Take your tax information, W2s, 1099s, supporting schedules and copy of a canceled check (for direct deposit information) to your preparer.
Check the current status of your Iowa income tax refund.
..."no match or record found" simply means that the return has not been keyed into the system yet.
...or call 1-800-572-3944 (Iowa only) or 515/281-4966.
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