Dear friend,With tax season just around the corner, I want to share some tips and tricks to help make your tax filing process as straightforward as possible. This year’s tax deadline to pay any taxes owed, file returns, or request a filing extension is April 15, 2026. Check out some resources to help you get started this tax season.Tips for Tax SeasonTax refunds. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund, with 9 out of 10 deposits being sent out within 10 days. Now is the time to establish a bank account if you haven’t already, especially since the IRS is phasing out paper refund checks. Read more about the Direct Deposit process here. Tracking tax returns. Taxpayers can check the status of their tax returns though Where’s My Refund on IRS.gov or the IRS app. Refund status information is generally available in as little as 24 hours after e-filing a return.Hiring Tax Professionals. Tax professionals handle your confidential documents and information, so you have to go with someone you trust. The IRS can help taxpayers find credible and experienced professionals through the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. This resource includes a list of tax preparers who are recognized by the IRS or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.Resources for Tax SeasonFree Tax Filing Assistance. Do you need in-person help with your taxes and have an annual household income under $69,000 annually? The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counselling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are here to help. These programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. Use the Volunteer Income Tax Return Locator (VITA/TCE) tool or call 800-906-9887 for assistance. Eligible individuals can also use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669 to find a location to get free tax help.Do you have internet access and a household income below $89,000 annually? If so, use one of the eight trusted IRS Free File partners to electronically file your 2025 tax return at no cost!Free Online IRS Help. There is more assistance for those who need to call the IRS with questions.The IRS’s website has an Interactive Tax Assistant tool that allows you to type in questions or phrases and receive information in return. This page can help answer questions regarding credits, deductions, and more to help you file correctly according to your personal situation. You can also visit the IRS’s free help page to receive further guidance.If you are low-income, need help addressing a tax dispute, and can’t afford representation, there’s a low-income taxpayer clinic in Milwaukee that could assist you if you qualify. Learn more here. The Local Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) can also help taxpayers solve tax problems with the IRS.IRS To Phase Out Paper Checks for Tax RefundsDue to a recent Executive Order, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, tax refund payments will be transitioning from paper checks to electronic transactions such as Direct Deposit. If you have not yet established a bank account, the IRS strongly encourages you to do so to receive your check.If you are due a tax refund and do not include direct deposit information on your return, the IRS will send you a letter asking you to provide direct deposit info within 30 days or to request an exception to this new policy. Taxpayers may wait 6 weeks or longer for a paper check.Direct Deposits can be made to your checking or savings account, many prepaid or debit cards, or online or mobile payment apps. You will need your bank’s routing and account numbers for these electronic transactions. More information regarding this change is available here.You can also conveniently direct your refund to one, two, or three accounts using Direct Deposit.New Tax ChangesThe Tax Law of 2025 (H.R.1, signed into law on July 4, 2025), included the new changes, some of which are effective for your 2025 taxes. The 2025 Tax Law temporarily provided new tax benefits for eligible individuals, including deductions on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and income earned by seniors. Information on the tax provisions in H.R.1 and how they might affect you or your family is available through the IRS, here.Beware of ScamsThe IRS will NEVER initiate contact with taxpayers through informal avenues such as email, text, or social media to request personal or financial information, nor will they threaten lawsuits or arrest over the phone.If you believe you have received a fraudulent request from someone imitating the IRS, please report the incident to phishing@irs.gov. My Office is Here to HelpAs always, my office is here to help. If you need help with a federal matter, please don’t hesitate to call my district office at 414-297-1140.Your friend,Gwen
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Dear friend,
With tax season just around the corner, I want to share some tips and tricks to help make your tax filing process as straightforward as possible. This year’s tax deadline to pay any taxes owed, file returns, or request a filing extension is April 15, 2026. Check out some resources to help you get started this tax season.
Tips for Tax Season - Tax refunds. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund, with 9 out of 10 deposits being sent out within 10 days. Now is the time to establish a bank account if you haven’t already, especially since the IRS is phasing out paper refund checks. Read more about the Direct Deposit process here.
- Tracking tax returns. Taxpayers can check the status of their tax returns though Where’s My Refund on IRS.gov or the IRS app. Refund status information is generally available in as little as 24 hours after e-filing a return.
- Hiring Tax Professionals. Tax professionals handle your confidential documents and information, so you have to go with someone you trust. The IRS can help taxpayers find credible and experienced professionals through the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. This resource includes a list of tax preparers who are recognized by the IRS or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.
Resources for Tax Season - Free Tax Filing Assistance. Do you need in-person help with your taxes and have an annual household income under $69,000 annually? The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counselling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are here to help. These programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. Use the Volunteer Income Tax Return Locator (VITA/TCE) tool or call 800-906-9887 for assistance. Eligible individuals can also use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669 to find a location to get free tax help.
- Do you have internet access and a household income below $89,000 annually? If so, use one of the eight trusted IRS Free File partners to electronically file your 2025 tax return at no cost!
- Free Online IRS Help. There is more assistance for those who need to call the IRS with questions.
- The IRS’s website has an Interactive Tax Assistant tool that allows you to type in questions or phrases and receive information in return. This page can help answer questions regarding credits, deductions, and more to help you file correctly according to your personal situation. You can also visit the IRS’s free help page to receive further guidance.
- If you are low-income, need help addressing a tax dispute, and can’t afford representation, there’s a low-income taxpayer clinic in Milwaukee that could assist you if you qualify. Learn more here. The Local Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) can also help taxpayers solve tax problems with the IRS.
IRS To Phase Out Paper Checks for Tax Refunds - Due to a recent Executive Order, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, tax refund payments will be transitioning from paper checks to electronic transactions such as Direct Deposit. If you have not yet established a bank account, the IRS strongly encourages you to do so to receive your check.
- If you are due a tax refund and do not include direct deposit information on your return, the IRS will send you a letter asking you to provide direct deposit info within 30 days or to request an exception to this new policy. Taxpayers may wait 6 weeks or longer for a paper check.
- Direct Deposits can be made to your checking or savings account, many prepaid or debit cards, or online or mobile payment apps. You will need your bank’s routing and account numbers for these electronic transactions. More information regarding this change is available here.
- You can also conveniently direct your refund to one, two, or three accounts using Direct Deposit.
New Tax Changes - The Tax Law of 2025 (H.R.1, signed into law on July 4, 2025), included the new changes, some of which are effective for your 2025 taxes.
- The 2025 Tax Law temporarily provided new tax benefits for eligible individuals, including deductions on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and income earned by seniors.
- Information on the tax provisions in H.R.1 and how they might affect you or your family is available through the IRS, here.
Beware of Scams - The IRS will NEVER initiate contact with taxpayers through informal avenues such as email, text, or social media to request personal or financial information, nor will they threaten lawsuits or arrest over the phone.
- If you believe you have received a fraudulent request from someone imitating the IRS, please report the incident to phishing@irs.gov.
My Office is Here to Help As always, my office is here to help. If you need help with a federal matter, please don’t hesitate to call my district office at 414-297-1140.
Your friend, Gwen |
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