Tax Preparation

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The timing of when you'll receive your refund varies based on the method you used to file your return. If you filed a paper return, the IRS typically sends out refund checks within six to eight weeks. However, if you opted for direct deposit, you can expect to receive your refund within about a week. For e-filed returns, the refund is usually issued between two to three weeks. 

To track the status of your refund, you can click on the provided links below.

Check your Federal Refund… click here

Check your State Refund… click here

June 2023: 

June 12: If you work for tips and earned $20 or more in May, inform your employer by using Form 4070. 

June 15: For U.S. citizens or resident aliens living and working outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico, file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR and pay any taxes, interest, and penalties due. To extend the filing deadline, submit Form 4868 for an additional four months, with the final filing date being October 16. Note that participants in a combat zone may have further extensions. 

• If you are making estimated tax payments for 2023 and not withholding enough from your income, utilize Form 1040-ES to make your second installment payment. 

•: Corporations should deposit the second installment of estimated income tax for 2023. Refer to Form 1120-W to assist in estimating the tax for the year. 

• Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for May payments. 

• Employers should deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for May payments. 

July 2023: 

July 10: Employees who receive tips and earned $20 or more in June should report them to their employer using Form 4070. 

July 17: Employers are required to deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for June payments. 

July 17: Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for June payments. 

July 31: Employers must deposit the federal unemployment tax owed through June if the amount exceeds $500. 

• Employers maintaining employee benefit plans such as pension or profit-sharing plans should file Form 5500 or 5500-EZ for the 2022 calendar year. For those using a fiscal year as the plan year, the filing deadline is the last day of the seventh month after the plan year ends. 

• Certain small employers need to deposit any undeposited tax if the tax liability for 2023 is between $2,500 and less than $2,500 for the second quarter. 

• Employers should file Form 941 for the second quarter of 2023, along with any undeposited tax. If the tax liability is less than $2,500, it can be paid in full with the timely filed return. If the tax for the quarter was deposited in full and on time, the return can be filed by August 10. 

August 2023: 

August 10: Employees who receive tips and earned $20 or more in July should report them to their employer using Form 4070. 

August 10: Employers should file Form 941 for the second quarter of 2023 if the tax for the quarter was deposited timely, properly, and in full. 

August 15: Employers are required to deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for July payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for July payments. 

September 2023: 

September 11: Employees who receive tips and earned $20 or more in August should report them to their employer using Form 4070. 

September 15: If you are making estimated tax payments for 2023 and not withholding enough from your income, utilize Form 1040-ES to make your third installment payment. 

• Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for August payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• Employers should deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for August payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• S Corporations should file their 2022 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any taxes due, provided they timely requested a 6-month extension. Shareholders should receive a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or a substitute. 

• Partnerships should file their 2022 calendar year return (Form 1065) if they were granted an additional 6-month extension. Each partner should receive a copy of Schedule K1 (Form 1065) or a substitute. 

• Corporations should deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2023. Refer to Form 1120-W to assist in making an estimate of the tax for the year.

October 2023: 

October 10: Employees who receive tips and earned $20 or more in September should report them to their employer using Form 4070. 

October 16: Individuals who have an automatic 6-month extension to file their income tax return for 2022 should file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR and pay any taxes, interest, and penalties due. 

• Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for September payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• Employers should deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for September payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• Corporations should file their 2022 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any taxes, interest, and penalties due if they timely requested a 6-month extension. 

• Employers should file Form 941 for the third quarter of 2023 and deposit any undeposited tax. If the tax liability is less than $2,500, it can be paid in full with the timely filed return. If the tax for the quarter was deposited in full and on time, the return can be filed by November 13. 

• Certain small employers need to deposit any undeposited tax if the tax liability for 2023 is between $2,500 and less than $2,500 for the third quarter. 

• Employers must deposit the federal unemployment tax owed through September if the amount exceeds $500. 

November 2023: 

Throughout November: Employers should encourage employees to fill out a new Form W-4 for 2024 if they have experienced any personal or financial changes. The revised 2023 version of Form W-4 will be available on the IRS website by mid-December. 

November 13: Employees who receive tips and earned $20 or more in October should report them to their employer using Form 4070. 

• Employers should file Form 941 for the third quarter of 2023 if the tax for the quarter was deposited timely, properly, and in full. 

November 15: Employers are required to deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for October payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for October payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

December 2023: 

December 11: Employees who receive tips and earned $20 or more in November should report them to their employer using Form 4070. 

December 15: Corporations should deposit the fourth installment of estimated income tax for 2023. Refer to Form 1120-W to assist in estimating the tax for the year. 

• Employers are required to deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for November payments if the monthly deposit rule applies. 

• Employers with nonpayroll withholding obligations must deposit the tax for November payments if the monthly deposit rule applies.

The publications listed below are located on the IRS Web site and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Visit the Adobe Web Site to install the latest version of Acrobat Reader. 

Click a publication to view it online.

Tax Glossary      

Schedule K-1 (Form 1065)  

Schedule K-1 (Form 1120) 

Schedule K-1 (Form 1041 

Publication 1  - Your Rights As a Taxpayer 

Publication 3 - Armed Forces' Tax Guide 

Publication 15 - Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide 

Publication 15A - Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide 

Publication 15B - Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits 

Publication 17 - Your Federal Income Tax 

Publication 51 - Circular A, Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide 

Publication 54 - Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad 

Publication 80 - Circular SS - Federal Tax Guide for Employers in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

Publication 225 - Farmer's Tax Guide 

Publication 334 - Tax Guide for Small Business 

Publication 463 - Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses 

Publication 501 - Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information 

Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses 

Publication 503 - Child and Dependent Care Expenses 

Publication 504 - Divorced or Separated Individuals 

Publication 505 - Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax 

Publication 509 - Tax Calendars 

Publication 510 - Excise Taxes (Including Fuel Tax Credits and Refunds) 

Publication 514 - Foreign Tax Credit for Individuals 

Publication 515 - Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations 

Publication 516 - U.S. Government Civilian Employees Stationed Abroad 

Publication 517 - Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy & Religious Workers 

Publication 519 - U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens 

Publication 521 - Moving Expenses 

Publication 523 - Selling Your Home 

Publication 524 - Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled 

Publication 525 - Taxable and Nontaxable Income 

Publication 526 - Charitable Contributions 

Publication 527 - Residential Rental Property (Including Rental of Vacation Homes) 

Publication 529 - Miscellaneous Deductions 

Publication 530 - Tax Information for First-Time Homeowners 

Publication 531 - Reporting Tip Income 

Publication 535 - Business Expenses 

Publication 536 - Net Operating Losses 

Publication 537 - Installment Sales 

Publication 538 - Accounting Periods and Methods 

Publication 541 - Partnerships 

Publication 542 - Corporations 

Publication 544 - Sales and other Dispositions of Assets 

Publication 547 - Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts 

Publication 550 - Investment Income and Expenses (Including Capital Gains and Losses and Mutual fund Distributions) 

Publication 554 - Tax Guide for Seniors 

Publication 555 - Community Property 

Publication 556 - Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund 

Publication 557 - Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization 

Publication 559 - Survivors, Executors and Administrators 

Publication 560 - Retirement Plans for Small Business 

Publication 570 - Tax Guide for Individuals With Income from U.S. Possessions 

Publication 571 - Tax-Sheltered Annuity Programs for Employees of Public Schools and Certain Tax-Exempt Organizations 

Publication 575 - Pension and Annuity Income 

Publication 583 - Starting a Business and Keeping Records 

Publication 587 - Business Use of Your Home (Including Use by Day-Care Providers) 

Publication 590-A - Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) 

Publication 590-B - Distributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) 

Publication 595 - Capital Construction Fund for Commercial Fishermen 

Publication 596 - Earned Income Credit 

Publication 598 - Tax on Unrelated Business Income of Exempt Organizations 

Publication 721 - Tax Guide to U.S. Civil Service Retirement Benefits 

Publication 901 - U.S. Tax Treaties 

Publication 907 - Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities 

Form 911 - Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance 

Publication 915 - Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits 

Publication 925 - Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules 

Publication 926 - Household Employers Tax Guide 

Publication 929 - Tax Rules for Children and Dependents 

Publication 936 - Home Mortgage Interest Deduction 

Publication 939 - General Rule for Pensions and Annuities 

Publication 946 - How to Depreciate Property 

Publication 957 - Reporting Back Pay and Special Wage Payments to the Social Security Administration 

Form 8839 - Qualified Adoption Expenses 

Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans 

Publication 970 - Tax Benefits for Education 

Publication 1212 - Guide to Original Issue Discount (OID) Instruments 

Publication 1345 - Handbook for Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns 

Publication 1544 - Reporting Cash Payments of Over $10,000 

Publication 1771 - Charitable Contributions - Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements 

Publication 1828 - Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations 

Publication 3079 - Tax-Exempt Organizations and Gaming 

Publication 3402 - Taxation of Limited Liability Companies 

Publication 4221-PC - Compliance Guide For 501(c)(3) Public Charities 

Publication 4221-NC - Compliance Guide for Tax Exempt Organizations (other than 501(c)(3) Public Charities and Private Foundations) 

Publication 4557 - Safeguarding Taxpayer Data - A Guide for Your Business

Storing tax records: How long should you keep them? 

Federal law mandates that you retain copies of your tax returns and supporting documents for three years, known as the "three-year law." This requirement often leads individuals to believe that keeping records for this period is sufficient. 

However, if the IRS suspects significant underreporting of income (25% or more) or detects potential fraud, they may conduct an audit going back six years. To err on the safe side, follow the guidelines below. 

Create electronic backups of your records: It has become easier than ever to maintain backup records electronically. Many financial institutions offer electronic statements, and a wealth of financial information is available online. Even if you receive paper statements, you can scan and convert them to a digital format. Once in electronic form, you can store the documents on an external hard drive, burn them onto a CD or DVD (remember to label it), or consider online backup for added protection against natural disasters. 

Be cautious with document disposal: Identity theft is a significant concern nowadays. Once you no longer need to keep tax records, financial statements, or any other documents containing personal information, ensure their secure disposal. Shredding these records is the recommended method, rather than simply throwing them in the trash. 

Business Documents to Keep for Different Durations: 

One Year: 

Correspondence with customers and vendors 

Duplicate deposit slips 

Purchase orders (except purchasing department copy) 

Receiving sheets 

Requisitions 

Stenographer's notebooks 

Stockroom withdrawal forms 

Three Years: 

Employee personnel records (after termination) 

Employment applications 

Expired insurance policies 

General correspondence 

Internal audit reports 

Internal reports 

Petty cash vouchers 

Physical inventory tags 

Savings bond registration records of employees 

Time cards for hourly employees 

Six Years: 

Accident reports and claims 

Accounts payable ledgers and schedules 

Accounts receivable ledgers and schedules 

Bank statements and reconciliations 

Cancelled checks 

Cancelled stock and bond certificates 

Employment tax records 

Expense analysis and expense distribution schedules 

Expired contracts and leases 

Expired option records 

Inventories of products, materials, supplies 

Invoices to customers 

Notes receivable ledgers and schedules 

Payroll records and summaries, including payments to pensioners 

Plant cost ledgers 

Purchasing department copies of purchase orders 

Sales records 

Subsidiary ledgers 

Time books 

Travel and entertainment records 

Vouchers for payments to vendors, employees, etc. 

Voucher register and schedules 

Business Records to Keep Forever: 

While federal guidelines do not require keeping tax records forever, there may be other reasons to retain these documents indefinitely. Some examples include audit reports from CPAs/accountants, cancelled checks for important payments (especially tax payments), cash books, charts of accounts, contracts and leases currently in effect, corporate documents (incorporation, charter, by-laws), documents substantiating fixed asset additions, deeds, depreciation schedules, financial statements (year-end), general and private ledgers, year-end trial balances, insurance records, current accident reports, claims, policies, investment trade confirmations, IRS revenue agents' reports, journals, legal records, correspondence, and other important matters, minute books of directors and stockholders, mortgages, bills of sale, property appraisals by outside appraisers, property records, retirement and pension records, tax returns, and worksheets, trademark and patent registrations. 

Personal Documents to Keep for Different Durations: 

One Year: 

Bank statements 

Paycheck stubs (reconcile with W-2) 

Cancelled checks 

Monthly and quarterly mutual fund and retirement contribution statements (reconcile with year-end statement) 

Three Years: 

Credit card statements 

Medical bills (in case of insurance disputes) 

Utility records 

Expired insurance policies 

Six Years: 

Supporting documents for tax returns 

Accident reports and claims 

Medical bills (if tax-related) 

Property records/improvement receipts 

Sales receipts 

Wage garnishments 

Other tax-related bills 

Personal Documents to Keep Forever: 

CPA audit reports 

Legal records 

Important correspondence 

Income tax returns 

Income tax payment checks 

Investment trade confirmations 

Retirement and pension records 

Special Circumstances: 

Car records (keep until the car is sold) 

Credit card receipts (keep with your credit card statement) 

Insurance policies (keep for the life of the policy) 

Mortgages/deeds/leases (keep for six years beyond the agreement) 

Pay stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2) 

Property records/improvement receipts (keep until the property is sold) 

Sales receipts (keep for the life of the warranty) 

Stock and bond records (keep for six years beyond selling) 

Warranties and instructions (keep for the life of the product) 

Other bills (keep until payment is verified on the next bill) 

Depreciation schedules and other capital asset records (keep for three years after the tax life of the asset)