| How does efile work? | Top |
| Your online income tax filing tax is completed on a personal computer and transmitted through a secure connection to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS checks the online income tax filing and notifies the transmitter (either you or your tax preparer) whether the return is accepted or rejected. If the IRS accepts your federal online income tax filing (usually within 24 hours), the state online income tax filing is transmitted to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The state online income tax filing is usually received within three days of the initial transmission. Both the IRS and the department issue acknowledgments (electronic confirmations) when the federal and state online icome tax filings are received and accepted. OnLine Taxes will send you an e-mail notification of the acknowledgement, or you can log in at any time to check on the status of your return. | |
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| What are the benefits of e-filing?? |
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| These are the benefits of e-filing: Convenience. You can electronically file 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Security. Your tax return information is encrypted and transmitted over secure lines to ensure confidentiality. Accuracy. Electronic filed returns have 13 percent fewer errors than paper returns.
Direct Deposit. You can have your refund direct deposited into your bank account. Proof of Filing. An acknowledgment is issued when your return is received and accepted. |
| How can I e-file? | Top |
You can e-file over the internet from your own computer if you have software approved by the IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. OnLine Taxes is an approved vendor for electronic filing by the IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. |
| Can I e-file my state return by itself? | Top |
| If you are not able to e-file your federal and state returns at the same time, or are not required to file a federal return, you can e-file your Massachusetts return as a State-Only return through the e-file program (if your software provider supports State-Only filing). Not all providers support State-Only filing and some have restrictions. *OnLine Taxes, Inc. accepts state-only filing for Massachusetts. Reminder: If you are required to file a federal return, you must complete your federal return first before completing your Massachusetts return. |
| Is it safe and secure to e-file? | Top |
Yes. Your tax information is encrypted and transmitted
over secure phone lines to ensure confidentiality. |
| Is there a fee for e-file? | Top |
The IRS and state do not charge a fee for e-filing. However, the electronic return originator (ERO) offering this service to taxpayers may charge a fee for the transmission. There are never any hidden fees with OnLine Taxes! Click below for OnLine Taxes Pricing Information: Payment Options
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| How do I know if my e-filed return has been received? | Top |
Acknowledgments (electronic confirmations) are issued online by the IRS and state when the returns are received and approved. The federal acknowledgment is received first since the federal return is transmitted first. If there are no errors, an acknowledgment is usually received within 24 hours of the transmission. If the IRS detects an error, an error message is sent back to you or your preparer for corrections to be made. Once the corrections are made, the returns are re-transmitted to the IRS. If the federal return is accepted, the IRS transmits the state return. The state return is usually received within three days of a correct transmission to the IRS. An acknowledgment is also issued by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. OnLine Taxes will send out automatic status e-mail notifications to you when we receive acknowledgement from either the IRS or state department. You may log in to the site at any time to check on the status of your return. |
| What if I owe money? | Top |
You can file your return electronically any time during the filing season. Payment must be made by April 15th to avoid interest and penalty charges. You can pay your balance due to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue by check. To pay by check, make your check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and mail it along with the department’s payment voucher Form PV to the address indicated on the voucher. OnLine Taxes will produce a payment voucher for your convenience with your forms if you owe. Click here to go to the Massachesetts forms page,
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| Can I have my refund direct deposited into my bank account? | Top |
Yes. E-file allows you to enter your bank account number and routing number so your refund can be direct deposited. Generally direct deposited refunds are received much quicker than refunds which are mailed. |
| Do I need to submit any paperwork or supporting documentation? | Top |
No. No paperwork needs to be submitted when you electronically file your return. We advise you maintain copies of all documents for your records. In some cases, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue will notify taxpayers if documentation is needed for verification.
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| How do I sign my electronic return? | Top |
You will need to sign and retain the Massachussetts signature form for your records. This along with the information you enter on your return acts as your signature. The federal return offers the PIN option, or you can sign a signature document (Form 8453, US Individual Income Tax Declaration). Form 8453 should not be mailed to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. OnLine Taxes will provide this form along with your other forms for you to print and keep for your records.
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| How do I amend my e-filed return? | Top |
| All amended returns must be completed on a paper form Form CA-6 and mailed in to the Department of Revenue . Click here to go to the Massachusetts forms page |
| Who will receive Form MA 1099-HC? | Top |
Form MA 1099-HC will be issued to the subscriber of the plan and will list spouse and dependent information. Students that are dependents on a parent’s insurance plan will need information contained on the Form MA 1099-HC to complete their income tax returns, such as Federal Identification Number and Name of Insurance Carrier, and the subscriber number. |
| What can someone, who is not able to provide proof of insurance, expect in 2008? | Top |
If you don’t have health insurance by December 31, 2007 you will lose your personnel income tax exemption. That exemption is valued at about $219. In 2008 that penalty will go up to the lowest cost of available health care plan and will continue to rise each month you do not have coverage. |
| I recently changed jobs and I am no longer covered by my old insurance policy. I enrolled for health insurance with my new employer, due to a 90 day waiting period I will not be covered until January. Will I be penalized for not having insurance coverage by December 31 even though I have enrolled for it already? | Top |
Even though the new law requires coverage as of December 31, 2007, you can request a Certificate of Exemption from the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector. If the exemption is granted then you will receive an exemption number, which you will enter onto the schedule Schedule HC. You also have the option to request an appeal of the mandate at the time you file the income tax return, using Schedule HC-A. |
| Will MassHealth and other public health insurances be sending out MA 1099-HC forms to their members in January? | Top |
Members of MassHealth (and Commonwealth Care) will not receive Form MA 1099-HC. These individuals will check the appropriate box on line 3 of Schedule HC. DOR will verify the accuracy of the taxpayer’s response by matching it to a list of names provided to DOR by MassHealth. This list will also contain Commonwealth Care members. |
