IRS Interactive Tools

Tax questions can pop up any time of the year. When people need answers, they should start with Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov. It’s a tool that provides answers to a many tax law questions.

The taxpayer enters answers to a series of questions and the tool gives them a response based on those answers. Here are some of the topics covered:

Filing Requirement

• • Do I Need to File a Tax Return?
  • Should I File an Amended Return?

Filing Status, Dependents and Exemptions

• • Whom May I Claim as a Dependent?
  • What Is My Filing Status?
  • May I Claim an Exemption for Myself or My Spouse?
  • How Much Can I Deduct for Each Exemption I Claim?

Retirement: Pensions, IRAs, Social Security

• • Are My Social Security or Railroad Retirement Tier I Benefits Taxable?
  • Is My Pension or Annuity Payment Taxable?
  • Do I Need to Report the Transfer or Rollover of an IRA or Retirement Plan on My Tax Return?
  • Is the Distribution from My Roth Account Taxable?
  • Is the Distribution from My Traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA Taxable?

Other Income

• • How Do I Claim My Gambling Winnings and/or Losses?
  • Do I Have Income Subject to Self-Employment Tax?
  • Is My Tip Income Taxable?
  • Are Payments I Receive for Being Unemployed Taxable?

Deductions

• • How Much Is My Standard Deduction?
  • Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses?
  • Can I Deduct My Mortgage-Related Expenses?
  • Can I Deduct My Charitable Contributions?
  • Can I Claim My Expenses as Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040)?
  • Are My Work-Related Education Expenses Deductible?

Credits

• • Am I Eligible to Claim an Education Credit?
  • Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?
  • Am I Eligible to Claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
  • Do I Qualify for the Credit for the Elderly or Disabled?
  • Do I Qualify for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit?

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