Preparing your own taxes is easier now than ever before. TaxSlayer.com walks you through the entire process and dots every “i” and crosses every “t.” With that being said, there is always the chance that you may need clarification on a process in the software or need help with a complicated IRS issue. Fear not, TaxSlayer has more than enough options to help you with your questions. The TaxSlayer.com support team is very knowledgeable and is always willing to help with your questions. Email support is always available and you can usually expect a response back within a few hours and at times response will be instant. Our Classic Edition also includes phone support and our support representatives are always willing to assist in any way that they can. Furthermore, our Premium Edition offers priority support, ensuring that you get answers to your questions, by phone or email, right away. The TaxSlayer.com knowledge base can also answer almost any question that you may have. Compiled through our experiences with numbers of tax related questions, issues, and explanations you can find all of that here. This support module is also located within the program to help you along the way. If you are looking for direct help from the IRS, they have beefed up their offerings this year as well. The IRS has launched their Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) to help with questions that may not be resolved through their frequently asked questions sections on their website. You can go here to start the process. The IRS describes ITA as “…a tax law resource that takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses to tax law questions.” This process does not require any personal information and can be a valuable tool. The tools offered by TaxSlayer.com should make sure that you feel confident preparing your own tax return and you should feel comfortable that you are on your way to receiving the largest refund possible. Get started on TaxSlayer.com today.

   This week TaxSlayer.com launched a mobile version of our website to iPhone users . The new mobile version of TaxSlayer.com allows you to create an account, login to your existing account, and access the My Deductions feature. In addition you can even estimate your tax refund via the Refund Calculator App. The new mobile site also offers a great way to check your tax return status on the go. Stay tuned for an Android version of the TaxSlayer.com website in the coming weeks. Click here to visit the TaxSlayer.com mobile site.

As part of our new title sponsorship with the Gator Bowl, TaxSlayer.com developed a new contest in November during the final 2011 college football push – ‘TaxSlayer Player’. By providing a means for these fanatics to share their college game day rituals, fans were encouraged to load their photos and videos on the contest website and have their friends and family vote for them. During Round 1, the last four weeks of the college football season were featured, weekly photo and video winners were selected, along with two overall winners; each for photo and video submissions. Following the announcement of the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes as the 2012 participating teams in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, fans of these teams were encouraged to participate in the ‘TaxSlayer Player - Road to the Bowl’. The final leg of the contest, held for one week, garnered 779 votes for the 7 videos submitted and 1,713 votes for 39 photos. The participating school winners were Korin of Florida and Joey of Ohio State; who were treated to the ultimate VIP experience during the 2012 Bowl weekend. With their participation in the Gator Bowl Parade, the Tailgate Party and pre-game festivities, the text-to-vote campaign was in high gear. During half time of the Bowl on January 2, 2012, the winner was announced on the field for all to witness. Over 1,100 votes were texted to help declare Joey the ‘2012 TaxSlayer Player of the Game’ – of which this Ohio State Buckeyes fan was elated to learn. TaxSlayer.com wishes to thank those who participated and voted in this inaugural contest and looks forward to the 2012-2013 college football season! Check out all the ‘Road to the Bowl’ finalists at roadtothebowl.taxslayerplayer.com.

Many people go throughout the year leaving money on the table when it comes to filing tax returns. Many feel they shouldn’t file because they earned very little income; CAUTION this could be a huge mistake! People across the U.S. realize that the IRS has income requirements based on filing status, age, and type of income that needs to be met before you are required to file a tax return. However, many people don’t know that you should file even if the IRS doesn’t require it. Everyone knows that understanding taxes isn’t the easiest thing but a simple check could fatten your wallet. Here are seven points you should consider before deciding not to file: 1. Federal Withholdings From Your Income - Practically everyone allows their employer to withhold Federal and State taxes from their pay throughout the year. Many people even make estimated tax payments or have a prior year overpayment applied to this year’s tax. If this year’s tax is less than your payments you are due a refund. 2. Earned Income Tax Credit - For some tax payers that work but did not earn a lot of money, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit if you meet all the requirements. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that is treated as a payment to help offset taxes and whatever is left over can be used to increase your refund. The Earned Income Tax Credit for tax year 2011 can be as much as $5,751 if you qualify. However, the only way to know if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit is to file a tax return. 3. Additional Child Tax Credit - This is another refundable tax credit that may be available to you if you have at least one qualifying child and you didn’t get the full amount of the Child Tax Credit. 4. American Opportunity Tax Credit - This partially refundable tax credit is available to students or parents/ guardians that are eligible to claim the student. Students in their first four years of college may qualify for the credit. As much as $1,000 can be refunded back to you for each eligible student. 5. Adoption Credit - If you have adopted a child you may be able to claim a refund on qualified expenses you paid to adopt an eligible child. 6. Health Coverage Tax Credit - Eligible candidates must be a Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation payee or Trade Adjustment Assistant recipient who receives Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) or Unemployment Insurance in lieu of TRA. If you qualify and pay 100% of your health plan premiums throughout the year, you can claim and be refunded 65% of your payments on your tax return. 7. First Time Homebuyer - Service members that meet certain time periods outside the United States on qualified extended duty may qualify for up to $8,000 if they meet requirements for the First Time Home Buyers Credit. As you can see, it can possibly cost you thousands of dollars if you decide not to file without looking into it. TaxSlayer.com can help by simply starting a tax return and letting our software guide you on your way to ensuring you receive the maximum refund possible. We guarantee it!