2011 Income Tax Guide
This year's tax deadline has changed, and so have the rules. Filers have until April 18th to file their income taxes this year with the IRS, but experts say don't wait because it will only delay your return.
If you need more time to get your paperwork together, you can submit an automatic extension to file, but you must pay any taxes you expect to owe by April 18th or face penalties and interest on any money owed. An extension to file is NOT an extension to pay.
Tax Year 2010-2011 Federal Tax Law Changes
- American Opportunity Credit Helps Pay For First Four Years Of College
- Energy Improvement Qualify For Expanded Tax Credits
- Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit (PDF)
- Tax Credits Increased For Low And Moderate Income Workers
- Alternative Minimum Tax Increased
- Standard Mileage Rate Increased
- Taxable Investment Income Per Child Increases (PDF)
IRS Forms
Having trouble locating the exact form for your taxes?
Earned Income Tax Credit
Child and Dependent Care Credit is for expenses paid for the care of your qualifying children under age 13, or for a disabled spouse or dependent, to enable you to work or look for work.
Child Tax Credit is for people who have a qualifying child. The maximum amount of the credit is $1,000 for each qualifying child. This credit can be claimed in addition to the credit for child and dependent care expenses.
Retirement Savings Contributions Credit also known as the Saver's Credit, is designed to help low-to-moderate income workers save for retirement. You may qualify if your income is below a certain limit and you contribute to an IRA or workplace retirement plan, such as a 401(k) plan.
Get Help
The Internal Revenue Service offers last minute reminders to taxpayers who have not yet filed a tax return, paid what they owe or requested an extension of time to file as the April 15 tax filing and payment deadline approaches.
There is no income limitation for people needing IRS services. Before you spend hundreds of dollars for high-priced tax help, remember there are helpful IRS tips still available.
IRS toll-free customer service line: 800-829-1040
- For those who cannot make the deadline, a form number 4868 will be needed for an extension, but needs to be postmarked by midnight, and a taxpayer still needs to include an estimated payment.
- For those needing to spread out any payments to the IRS, one will need a form 9465 to request an installment agreement. It will cost $105 dollars.
In that last-minute dash to complete a tax return, the IRS warns against making common mistakes like entering a wrong Social Security number, incorrect filing status on a tax form, withholding or estimated tax payments often entered on the wrong line.
Tax Options and IRS Help
Do It Yourself | Resources for doing your return by hand.
Small Business | Assistance for Small Business Filers
IRS Help | Assistance Directly From The IRS
CBS4Miami.com "Get Answers Miami"
If you have a question and would rather not ask the IRS, you can seek answers through Get Answers Miami. Post your questions, and seek help from people who may have information. We will also bring questions to our weekly Tax Question Phone Bank on CBS4, where Enrolled Agents, experts in tax law, will try to help.
TAX PHONE BANK: Monday, 5-6:30 p.m. Call 305-597-4404 to speak directly with experts
Tax Filing Options
Tips to help you choose a reliable preparer.
e-file | eFiling allows you to file your taxes electronically
- IRS E-File Advice
- IRS Free File FAQ Filing Questions Answered
"Free file" | An option for those with Adjusted Gross Income of $50,000 or less
Want Professional Help?
If you have a complicated tax return, or just don't want to go it alone, the services of a professional tax preparer can be invaluable. The Local Pages directory at CBSMiami.com links you to hundreds of tax services across South Florida. Start with the link below, and use your zip code to narrow your search:
Still like to file your return by mail? The IRS is trying to break you of that habit, and the post office is helping when it comes to procrastinators who wait until the last minute. Many post offices that traditionally stayed open late for last minute tax-day filers no longer do so. For the first time, there will be NO post offices open until Midnight for late filers. 3 Post Offices will be open until 9 PM. Others will have slightly extended hours.Please refer to the list below.
Filing By Mail on TAX DAY (April 18th)
MONROE COUNTY No late locations
OPEN UNTIL 9 PM
Fort Lauderdale Processing and Distribution Center, 1900 W Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale
Miami Processing and Distribution Center, 2200 NW 72 Avenue, Miami
West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center, 3200 Summit Blvd, West
Other Branch Closing Times
| Golden Isle Postal Store | 1800 E Hallandale Beach Blvd | Hallandale | 6:00PM |
| El Mercado Postal Store | 2440 W 60th St | Hialeah | 6:00PM |
| Miami Gardens Branch | 6193 NW 183rd St | Hialeah | 6:00PM |
| Surfside Branch | 250 95th St | Miami Beach | 6:00PM |
| Ave. of the Americas Store | 1455 NW 107 Ave Unit 106 | Miami | 9:00PM |
| Coral Gables Branch | 251 Valencia Ave | Coral Gables | 6:00PM |
| Country Lakes Postal Store | 13520 SW 152 St | Miami | 6:00PM |
| Kendall Br Postal Store | 13101 S Dixie Hwy | Miami | 6:00PM |
| Ludlam Branch | 6900 SW 40th St | Miami | 6:00PM |
| Milam Dairy Branch | 5600 NW 72 Ave | Miami | 6:00PM |
| Miracle Mile Postal Store | 20 Miracle Mile | Coral Gables | 6:00PM |
| Norland Branch | 18640 NW 2nd Ave | Miami | 5:30PM |
| North Miami Beach Branch | 16400 W Dixie Hwy | Miami | 6:00PM |
| North Miami Branch | 14311 Biscayne Blvd | Miami | 7:00PM |
| Pinecrest Postal Store | 11301 S Dixie Hwy | Miami | 8:00PM |
| Snapper Creek Branch | 11000 SW 104th St | Miami | 7:00PM |
| South Miami Branch | 5927 SW 70th St | Miami | 6:30PM |
| Town and Country | 8266 Mills Dr | Miami | 7:30PM |
| West Dade Finance Unit | 14790 N Kendall Dr | Miami | 5:30PM |
| Causeway Postal Store | 1515 S E 17 St | Ft Lauderdale | 6:00PM |
| Davie Branch | 3850 S University Dr | Ft Lauderdale | 6:00PM |
| Inverrary Branch | 6240 W Oakland Park Blvd | Ft Lauderdale | 6:00PM |
| Fort Lauderdale Main Ofc | 1900 W Oakland Park Blvd | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Oakland Park Branch | 3350 NE 12th Ave | Ft Lauderdale | 5:30PM |
| Plantation Branch | 7580 NW 5th St | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Sawgrass Postal Store | 12801 W Sunrise Blvd | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Southside Station | 2801 S Federal Hwy | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Sunrise Branch | 3225 N Hiatus Rd | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Sylvia H Alridge Station | 400 NW 7 Ave | Ft Lauderdale | 6:00PM |
| Tamarac Branch | 7875 NW 57th St | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Weston Branch | 1870 N Corp. Lakes Blvd | Ft Lauderdale | 7:00PM |
| Westside Branch | 11600 W State Rd 84 | Ft Lauderdale | 6:00PM |
| Atlantic Branch | 8801 W Atlantic Blvd | Coral Springs | 6:00PM |
| Coral Springs Branch | 3255 NW 94 Ave | Coral Springs | 7:00PM |
| Flamingo Branch | 12590 Pines Blvd | Pembroke Pines | 5:30PM |
| Hillcrest Postal Store | 4429 Hollywood Blvd | Hollywood | 6:00PM |
| Hollywood Main Office | 1801 Polk St | Hollywood | 6:00PM |
| Miramar Branch | 14900 SW 30 St | Miramar | 6:00PM |
| South Florida Retail Unit | 16000 Pines Blvd | Pembroke Pines | 7:00PM |
| University Postal Store | 7972 Pines Blvd | Pembroke Pines | 8:00PM |
| West Palm Beach Main Office | 3200 Summit Blvd | West Palm Bch | 9:00PM |
Other Helpful Links
BNET Business Tax Survival Guide
BNET is part of the CBSInteractive family of websites, and offers lots of helpful information for business owners. You can see the full Tax Survival Guide here, or check the topics below:
Check For Refund
Once taxpayers file their federal return, they can track the status of their refunds by using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, located on the front page of www.IRS.gov.
- Taxpayers can generally get information about their refunds 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of their e-filed returns, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper return.
Taxpayers need to provide the following information from their tax returns:
- Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Filing status
- The exact whole dollar amount of your anticipated refund.
If the U.S. Postal Service returns the taxpayer's refund to the IRS, the individual may be able to use "Where's My Refund?" to change the address the IRS has on file, online.
Also, taxpayers may complete a Form 8822, Change of Address, and send it to the address shown on the form. They may download Form 8822 from www.IRS.gov or order it by calling 800-TAX-FORM.
Generally, taxpayers can file an online claim for a replacement check if more than 28 days have passed since the IRS mailed their refund.
