A new tool, developed to help taxpayers and tax preparers determine whether the taxpayer is potentially subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), debuted last week on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. The AMT Assistant automates the AMT Worksheet, called “Worksheet to See if You should Fill Out Form 6251”, of the 1040 Instructions. The IRS estimates it will talk 5 to 10 minutes to get an answer from the new application.“The alternative minimum tax causes a lot of hair pulling for millions of taxpayers each year.

When requesting tax return information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there are several ways for you to receive your information. You can request tax return transcripts and tax account transcripts. You can also receive a copy of your original return, generally if it has been less than seven years since filing. This information can be obtained by phone or by mail, according to the IRS. The usual fees for transcripts or return copies requested by taxpayers residing in the Presidential Disaster Areas have been waived by the IRS.

Beginning in 2005, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines a qualifying child as someone who meets the same four tests: the relationship test, the residency test, the age test and the support test.