So, you have a question, huh? Well we've got an answer for you. We have set up a list here of the most commonly asked questions we receive from our clients, but every client is different. If you do not find the answer to your question here, or would like clarification on something, please give us a call and we can help you out. Our phone number is (407) 645-3257. If you happen to call us after hours, don't worry we have an email account set up to correspond with you at your convience. Click here to send us email. To get an answer to the questions listed below, simply click on the question.

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

2.) If I mailed my return in after April 15th, would the return be considered received on the day it was postmarked or the day the IRS received it?

3.) How can I check on the status of my refund?

4.) I'm expecting a refund, but I have not filed my return and the deadline has passed. Will a late penalty be charged?

5.) I just completed my return and find that I owe the IRS money, What should I do?

6.) Can I ask to make installment payments on the amount I owe?

7.) I have not filed tax returns for several years. What should I do?

8.) Are alimony payments considered taxable income?

9.) Are child support payments considered taxable income?

10.) Is there a way to have federal income tax withheld from unemployment compensation, in lieu of making estimated tax payments?

11.) I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show the income on my return?

12.) How long do I have to roll over a retirement distribution to an IRA account?

13.) How long do I need to keep certain records?

14.) Can I get the credit for the elderly or the disabled?

15.) Can I claim the child and dependent care credit?





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

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. By filing the extension, you avoid the late filing penalty. However, Form 4868 does not extend the time to pay your income tax.
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2.) If I mailed my return in after April 15th, would the return be considered received on the day it was postmarked or the day the IRS received it?

A return delivered to the Service by U.S. mail after the due date for the return is considered timely filed if the return was postmarked on or before the due date of the return. Effective July 30, 1996 this rule includes postmarks supplied by any private delivery service designated by the Service. To come within this rule, however, the return must be postmarked within the prescribed filing period. For example, an income tax return postmarked April 16 and received by the Service on April 20 is considered filed on April 20.
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3.) How can I check on the status of my refund?

Refund information does not become available until it has been 6 weeks since you filed your tax return (3 weeks if you filed electronically or through Telefile). After waiting the appropriate number of weeks, the fastest, easiest way to find out about your refund is to call the Automated Refund Service at 1-800-829-1040. Be sure to have a copy of your return available since you will need to know the first social security number shown on the return, the filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. The IRS updates refund information every seven days.
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4.) I'm expecting a refund, but I have not filed my return and the deadline has passed. Will a late penalty be charged?

If there is a refund due to you, no penalty for late filing or late paying will be charged. The penalty is based upon the unpaid taxes as of the due date of the return.
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5.) I just completed my return and find that I owe the IRS money, What should I do?

You should file your return even if you can't pay all of the amount you owe. File by April 15, and pay as much as possible, By filing on time, you avoid the late filing penalty. By paying as much of the amount you owe as possible, you reduce the amount of interest and late payment penalty that you will owe.
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6.) Can I ask to make installment payments on the amount I owe?

Yes. If you cannot pay the full amount due with your return, you may ask to make monthly installment payments. However, you will be charged interest and a late payment penalty on the tax not paid by April 15, even if your request to pay in installments is granted. Before requesting an installment agreement, you should consider less costly alternatives, such as a bank loan.
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7.) I have not filed tax returns for several years. What should I do?

Call our office and we will be happy to answer your late filing questions and either help you obtain prior year forms or we'll gladly file the returns for you. Our office phone number is (407) 645-3257. Or email us with any questions you may have. Click here to email us.
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8.) Are alimony payments considered taxable income?

Alimony, separate maintenance,and similar payments from your spouse or former spouse are taxable to you in the year received. The amount is reported on line 11 of Form 1040. You cannot use Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ.
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9.) Are child support payments considered taxable income?

No. Some types of income taxpayers received are not taxable, and child support is one of them. When you total your gross income to see if you are required to file a tax return, do not include your nontaxable income.
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10.) Is there a way to have federal income tax withheld from unemployment compensation, in lieu of making estimated tax payments?

Beginning in 1997, you may have federal income tax withheld from unemployment compensation. Use Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request.
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11.) I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show the income on my return?

If you use a dwelling as a home and rent it for fewer than 15 days during the year, do not report any of the rental income and do not deduct any expenses as rental expenses. In this case, you may deduct some expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040), such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and any casualty losses.
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12.) How long do I have to roll over a retirement distribution to an IRA account?

You must complete the rollover by the 60th day following the day on which you receive the distribution. (This 60-day period is extended for the period during which the distribution is in a frozen deposit in a financial institution.) A written explanation of rollover must be given to you by the issuer making the distribution.
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13.) How long do I need to keep certain records?

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.
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14.) Can I get the credit for the elderly or the disabled?

Generally, if you were age 65 or older or disabled and your income and nontaxable social security or other nontaxable pension are below specified amounts, you may be able to take this credit.
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15.) Can I claim the child and dependent care credit?

If you paid someone to care for your dependent under age 13 or your disabled dependent or spouse so that you could work or look for work, you may be able to claim the credit for child and dependent care expenses.
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