Online Tax Preparation FAQs

Union Plus Online Tax Preparation and Electronic Tax Return Filing Services
 

With the Union Plus TurboTax Program, union members and their families can use an online tax tool to prepare and file their taxes - at half the cost of similar services from H&R Block® and Quicken®. 

1. What states support electronic tax return filing?
2. How quickly can I get my tax return refund after preparing the income tax return online and filing an electronic tax return?
3. In which states can I pay my income taxes due by credit or debit card?
4. Can I prepare a state tax return online and file an electronic state tax return without a federal income tax return?
5. Do I qualify for electronic tax return filing?
6. Do I need to submit Forms W-2, W-2G or Form 1099-R if I am filing an electronic tax return?
7. I've prepared and submitted my income tax return online, how do I check the status of the E-file return?
8. How do I find my AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) from last year so I can file electronically?
9. How do I print out a copy of my online income tax return?
10. What happens if the IRS rejects my electronic tax return?
     

Answers to the Top 10 Online Tax Preparation & Electronic Filing FAQs :

1. What states support electronic tax return filing?

The following states support electronic of income tax returns prepared via the Union Plus Online TurboTax Program:



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2. How quickly can I get my tax return refund after preparing the income tax return online and filing an electronic tax return?

To check the progress of your current year's income tax return refund, call the IRS at 1-800-829-4477 and use the refund status option offered on the TeleTax system. Some tax return refunds may be delayed because of IRS compliance reviews to ensure that returns are accurate. If you file a complete and accurate tax return and you are due a federal refund, you should receive your refund following this schedule:

• Within 2 weeks after the acknowledgment date if you file electronically, and you elect to receive your refund via Direct Deposit.
• Within 4 weeks after the acknowledgment date if you file electronically, and you receive your refund via U.S. Mail.
• Within 6 weeks from the date the IRS receives your return, if you file via U.S. Mail. For more specific information regarding anticipated refund dates with electronic filing, see IRS Publication 2043, IRS e-file 2009 Refund Cycle Chart.

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3. In which states can I pay my income taxes due with my Union Plus Credit Card?

Through an agreement with Official Payments, we offer you the option of charging your federal and state income taxes to a credit card or debit card. A small convenience fee will apply. 

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4. Can I prepare a state tax return online and file an electronic state tax return without a federal income tax return?

Yes, in most cases you may file your state income tax return separately. You should enter both your federal and state tax information and then calculate the tax return. For all states, except AR, HI, OK and OR, you can then file your state tax return independently.

Please Note: You can utilize the Union Plus Online Tax Return Services to prepare and file an electronic tax return for just your federal taxes.

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5. Do I qualify for electronic tax return filing?

Most taxpayers qualify for electronic income tax return filing. Some of the rare situations in which you may not qualify include:

1. You do not currently live in the United States.
2. You earned income from a state in which you do not live.
3. You want to e-file your state tax return, but not your federal tax return and your resident state is Arkansas, Hawaii, Oklahoma or Oregon.
4. Your filing status is Married Filing Separately and you live in a state that is subject to community property rules.
5. Your status is Married Filing Jointly, only one spouse earned income, and you are claiming Child Care Credit. (All three must apply to disqualify you.)
6. You received a waiver from the IRS.

If you do not qualify, you can still use our online income tax program to prepare your tax return. When it is finished, the program will notify you that it must be printed and mailed.

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6. Do I need to submit Forms W-2, W-2G or Form 1099-R if I am filing electronically?

No, the requirement to attach Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, and Form 1099-R, Distribution From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contract, etc., with the Form 8453-OL, U.S. Individual Income Tax Declaration for an e-file Online Return, has been eliminated. However, the IRS advises you to continue to maintain copies of these attachments for your records. If you do not use a Self-Select PIN to sign your electronic income tax return, a completed Form 8453-OL should be mailed to the IRS service center where your electronic tax return was accepted.

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7. I've prepared and submitted my income tax return online, how do I check the status of the E-file return?

Easily check your return status from the Union Plus TurboTax program homepage by clicking the "Sign In" menu then click on "Check eFile Status." You will need to enter your user ID and password and the status will be displayed.

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8. How do I print out a copy of my return?

There are a few ways to find your AGI:

• Your 2007 AGI can be found on Form 1040 (lines 34 & 35) or Form 1040A (lines 21 & 22) or Form 1040EZ (line 4) or on your TeleFile form (line 1).
• You can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If they can verify your identity, they will tell you last year's AGI over the phone.
• If you filed a joint return last year, the AGI from that return is entered for both the taxpayer and spouse.

If you need to correct the AGI on your income tax return, click on the "Filing Options" link at the bottom right side of any page. Click "Continue" until you reach the "Signing Your Electronic Return" page and then make the changes. 

If you can't get last year's AGI: 

Last year's AGI is not needed to file your Federal taxes electronically this year and if you know last year's AGI, you will not have to mail anything to the IRS.

If you do not know last year's AGI, you can still file your return electronically. But you need to mail form 8453-OL as the signature form for the return.

If you decide not to use the "paperless" method, click on the "Filing Options" link at the bottom right side of any page. Click "Continue" until you reach the "Signing Your Electronic Return" page and click "Clear all entries on this Page." Click "Previous" until you reach the "Filing Options" page. In the "Electronic Filing Signature Options" section, choose "Sign and Mail Form 8453-OL" from the dropdown list next to the question "How do you want to sign your return?" For your convenience, the 8453-OL will be included in your printed return.

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9. How do I print out a copy of my online income tax return?

Open your return, and select Print & File tab at the top of any of the program screens. If, for some reason you are unable to access your income tax return, you should call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 and request a copy of your tax return be mailed to you. The same request can be made to your local State Taxing Authority.

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10. What happens if the IRS rejects my electronic tax return?

First, you need to determine the reason for rejection. If it is something simple, like a misspelled name or your social security number was entered online incorrectly, then you only need to correct the mistaken information, and re-submit the tax return for electronic filing. If the issue is something more, you may need to contact the IRS at www.irs.gov or at (800) 829-1040 and find out what you need to do to correct the problem with your electronic income tax return. 

It is possible that you will not be able to file your tax return electronically due to some IRS regulation. In that case you will need to print out your return and mail it to the IRS.

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