IRS Tax Tips

August 18, 2008 – Summertime Tax Tip 2008-19

¿Habla español? So does the IRS!

Tax information can be difficult to understand in any language; but it can be even more difficult if it is not in your first language. To assist Spanish speakers, the IRS provides a wide range of free products and services.

IRS.gov/Espanol: The IRS Spanish Web site offers tax forms, publications, and information. Interactive applications such as the following are available for individuals:

• The EITC Assistant (Asistente EITC) helps determine your eligibility for EITC.
• Where’s My Refund? (¿Dónde Está Mi Reembolso?) can help you determine the status of your federal tax refund.
• Where’s My Stimulus Payment? (¿Dónde está mi Pago del Estímulo Económico?) can let you know if your stimulus payment was sent or will be sent within the next week.

Toll-Free Telephone Assistance is available in Spanish on pre-recorded hotlines and from bilingual IRS representatives:

• The TeleTax line (800-829-4477) has recorded messages in Spanish that are available around the clock, covering more than 100 tax topics.
• The Refund Hotline (800-829-1954) provides information about a refund status in Spanish when caller provides the filing status and the exact refund amount expected.
• The IRS toll-free customer service line (800-829-1040) has Spanish-speaking representatives ready to help taxpayers.

For complete list of contact numbers check IRS.gov.

Many documents available in Spanish: Among the most frequently requested publications available in Spanish are Publication 1(SP), Derechos del Contribuyente (Your Rights as a Taxpayer), and Publication 579(SP), Cómo Preparar su Declaración de Impuesto Federal (How to Prepare the Federal Tax Return,). For a list of forms and publications in Spanish search the phrase "Formularios y Publicaciones" on IRS.gov.

Keeping Small Businesses in Mind: The Small Business link, Recursos Para Pequeñas Empresas, will lead business owners to information such as “SSA/IRS Reporter,” a newsletter that can be downloaded in English or Spanish. The summer 2008 edition has tips for new businesses, electronic filers, getting paperwork done right the first time, e-filing for small tax exempt organizations, extension filers, and much more.

Other important information for Spanish-speaking business owners can be found in Publication 966(SP), Opciones Electrónicas para pagar todos sus Impuestos Federales (Electronic Choices to Pay All Your Federal Taxes), and Publication 1518(SP) Calendario de Impuestos del IRS para la pequeña empresa y trabajadores por cueta propia (Tax Calendar for Small Businesses), a working tool filled with tax tips and deadline reminders. Form 944(SP), which simplifies reporting requirements for business owners, is now available in Spanish, and when faced with challenges, it is good to know that information on disaster losses is also available in Spanish on IRS Publication 1600(SP).

If you or someone you know speaks Spanish, then think of the IRS when you need tax assistance. We can help! ¡Podemos ayudar!

Links:

• El IRS en Español
• Formularios y Publicaciones
• Recursos Para Pequeñas Empresas