Are you aware that you may be eligible for a phone tax refund?

WASHINGTON Don't forget to claim the telephone tax refund when filing federal tax returns this year.

The I-R-S says more than a third of those filing early have missed the one-time refund of at least 30 dollars.

The government stopped collecting the long-distance excise tax in August, and has authorized a refund of taxes collected on bills from March of 2003 to July of last year.

Those who claim a standard refund, which requires no documentation, will receive between 30 and 60 dollars. Those who choose to make claims on the actual amount they paid need to have documents in case the I-R-S asks questions, but the documents do not have to be sent with the return.

Wednesday's notice follows a warning from the I-R-S last week that it would take action against taxpayers who claim too much.

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=6018224&nav=0hBE

Free money: Can you hear me now? I first wrote about this in June and almost forgot about it until I prepared my first Form 1040 and the software program automatically kicked in a $50 refund. Enough to pay for a good lunch; otherwise not too exciting.

Over the last few years, the IRS lost several court cases that invalidate a 3-percent federal excise tax (kind of like a sales tax) on long-distance services. The lawsuits were bought by some rather large corporations including OfficeMax, Amtrak, Fortis and Reese Brothers.

The Treasury now has to refund about $13 billion to taxpayers. Originally enacted in 1898, the tax applied to toll telephone services, the charges for which varied with distance and time. Since most long-distance services no longer vary with distance and time, and instead with distance OR time, the IRS lost. It shows you that you have to choose your words carefully.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/tax_adviser/20070201_phone_tax_refund_a1.asp

:shrug:

"I first wrote about this in June and almost forgot about it until I prepared my first Form 1040 and the software program automatically kicked in a $50 refund. Enough to pay for a good lunch; otherwise not too exciting."

check both links...........

while I have my account on suspend (because I am at an undisclosed location) Thanks so much for the tip! I imagine TurboTax would have caught it anyhow, but I never heard of it. :hi: thx

you're welcome :hi:

:hi:

:D

claim all of it but needed copies of bills. But in my case, I have to file but don't intend to fish out all those bills. So I just didn't understand what one does in that case. Maybe my reading comprehension is off.

www.irs.gov

I'm not doing ALL the work here.......

or that if I use software it will automatically kick in. Not all that clear to start. Thanks.

you need to STOP carrying that around with you.

That's why I asked what software you used.

My first post: What software were you using?

Your first answer: huh???

Now I could have taken that like you were trying to say I was an idiot. But I didn't.

My 2nd post: I thought your OP said you almost forgot until the software you were using...

then I just quoted the post so you could follow why I was confused.

Your reply: that is the tax guy's words
check both links...........

I say...Okay. No attitude in my mind at all..just went back to read the link again.

Then, I didn't see the answer to my situation in the 2nd link. That's why I asked if you knew if it was on the form. I just needed clarification because all the answers weren't clear to me.

None of these questions was asked with any attitude at all. I replied "Ooooh"
-kinda like "Oooh..now I think I get it" I didn't make the right assumption...didn't mean anything bad by it at all.)

Then I explained what I didn't understand so you could see what I was confused about.

However, Your second reply to ME was snarky.

"why don't you check out the irs website?
www.irs.gov

I'm not doing ALL the work here......."


I thought "Wow. I thought you were like so many others here. Trying to be helpful by posting this info and probably be willing to answer questions about it because it was your post."

But it really made me feel bad. Because I didn't have a clue I'd done anything offensive at all. ..because you seemed to be reading things into my innocent questions. I was trying to communicate with a person who seemed to have useful information that I didn't quite understand the full gist of.
So when someone else answered it was on the form...I did make a smart remark because frankly, my feelings were hurt.

Now they are really hurt because you've acted so hateful. But I wanted to take the time to write this, because either you have misunderstood me here or from something I've written in the past. But I assure you in this case, it is a misunderstanding on your part. I don't have a bad attitude and I don't appreciate you practically yelling at me here on our discussion board.

If you aren't willing to answer innocent questions about a post, why would you post?

Seems like you're the one who started in with a bad attitude or state of mind toward me as a poster.

for all taxpayers without records. With records you can claim a bit more- which benefits rich clients whose records are worked over by professionals. There are a couple of last minute reforms that showed up after the IRS printed forms. Go to their site. Student tuition and loans even have an odd spot on the form because of this for a new benefit. Most decent software should automatically help you, but check it out.

Every little bit helps! :hi:

:hi: