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Filing Your Paper Return

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Create and File Prior Year Tax Returns

Go to our Access Prior Year Tax Returns webpage for a list of available Online and Desktop programs for previous years. Note: TaxAct does not provide archived copies of returns filed through the TaxAct Desktop or TaxAct Professional Editions. If you no longer have access to your saved return file, you can receive a copy […]

Form 4868 – Printing a Copy

There are two methods for printing Form 4868. One method is to return to the extension steps, review your entries, and then print a copy of the form. See below for details.  The other method is to use the Custom Print section – see Printing Your Return and Individual Forms for details on this option.  […]

Form 4868 – Filing a Federal Individual Tax Return Extension (Consumer)

Form 4868 is used to request an extension of time to file an individual tax return, Form 1040. Generate and FileTo generate and file Form 4868, follow the steps below.    NOTES:  Form 4868 is only an extension of time to file, not an extension of time to pay any amount due. If you expect […]

Filing a State Individual Tax Return Extension

The requirements for filing a state extension vary by state. The process for your specific state will be explained in the filing steps. See Form 4868 – Filing a Federal Individual Tax Return Extension (Consumer) for detailed steps.  In some cases, no extension form is needed. The program will indicate what is required for your […]

Where’s My Refund?

Once the IRS accepts an e-filed return, they do not provide us further information regarding when the refunds are mailed or direct deposited. See Refunds – IRS Questions and Answers for details. Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of […]

State Return Status Must Match Federal Return Status

In the TaxAct® program, the federal information you enter flows to the attached state return(s). Because of this, you can’t have a singular TaxAct return with different filing statuses for federal and state returns. If you want to use different filing statuses for your federal and state returns (example: married filing jointly for a federal […]

What Do I Need to File?

Click any link below to go to our checklist for that return.  Complete the checklist before completing your TaxAct® return to save time. 1040 Individual Income Tax Return 1065 – Partnership Return 1120S – S Corporation Return 1120 – C Corporation Return 1041 Estates & Trusts 990 – Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax

IRS Forms Not Yet Released – TaxAct

Some IRS forms haven’t been released and are currently unavailable for printing or e-filing in the TaxAct program. See the TaxAct Forms Availability webpage for more information.

Form 8453 – Attachments

If you need to submit certain forms (or attachments) with your return, you are still able to e-file. However, you will need to complete and mail in Form 8453 U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return along with the forms or attachments. Acceptable attachments to Form 8453 include Form 1098-C Contributions of […]

Ineligible for Self-Select PIN Method

The following taxpayers are not eligible to use the Self-Select Pin method and need to mail a paper return: Primary taxpayers under age 16 who have never filed. Secondary taxpayers (spouse) under age 16 who did not file in the prior year.

File My Return with TaxAct

To file a return in TaxAct®, you must complete the filing steps in the program. To begin the filing process, click Filing (on smaller devices, click in the top left corner of your screen, then click Filing). You will choose to either file your return electronically or mail a paper return to the IRS/state agency. Filing Electronically To file […]

Mailing Addresses for Filing

In order to obtain the mailing address for your federal or state return, you can go to the the IRS Where to File Paper Tax Returns With or Without a Payment webpage, or check the filing instructions from within your TaxAct return; go to our Print Filing Instructions Online and Desktop FAQ for help. The […]