Where can I Get Answers to My Federal Income Tax Questions?
From February through mid-April, our tax counselors are ready to answer your questions at any Thurston County Tax-Aide site.
When Thurston County Tax-Aide sites are closed, you can still get help by submitting a request to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Online tax assistors.
You can also explore a wide range of Frequently Asked Questions on the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Online Tax Assistance webpage. There, you’ll find guidance on:
- Filing requirements
- Filing status and dependents
- Income and adjustments, including deductions and credits
- Payments, refunds, and taxes owed
- Other common tax questions
Some of the questions we hear most often include:
You can also find answers to many tax questions on the IRS Website, including their Interactive Tax Assistant. This tool helps taxpayers with questions like:
- Who needs to file a tax return.
- What is the best filing status to use.
- Who can claim a dependent.
- Who is eligible to claim a credit or deduct certain expenses.
Watch this helpful IRS Video: Help for Taxpayers for more guidance.
Whether you must file a federal tax return depends on your filing status, age, gross income, and whether someone else can claim you as a dependent. Certain situations—such as receiving advance payments of the Premium Tax Credit—may also require you to file.
An AARP Foundation Tax-Aide counselor can help determine whether you need to file. You can also use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant tool, “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?”
Even if you are not required to file, doing so may benefit you. Filing a return allows you to:
- Claim a refund of federal income tax withheld from wages, pensions, Social Security, or other income
- Recover any estimated tax payments you made
- Claim refundable credits such as the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit
Filing a return may also help reduce the risk of tax identity theft.
Visit this IRS website to learn about the IP PIN and how to create one.
If you have an IP PIN and need help retrieving it, visit this IRS website.
To learn more, visit this IRS webpage. You can use Direct File or IRS Free file to electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension. You can also request an extension by mail, using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
For further guidance, watch this IRS Video.
Creating or accessing an IRS Individual Online Account gives you easy access to the information you need to file your return. With an account, you can:
- Access tax records
- Make and view payments
- View or create payment plans
- View your balance
- Submit forms
- Manage profile
- View authorizations
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) assist low income individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS, and provide education and outreach to individuals who speak English as a second language (ESL).
LITCs are independent from the IRS and the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. LITCs can also help taxpayers respond to IRS notices and correct account problems. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee.
Low Income Taxpayers can seek help from the University of Washington Tax Clinic in Seattle, Washington by calling (206)685-6805 or (866)866-0158 (toll free) Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. For further information, please visit their website.
IRS sends notices and letters when it needs to ask a question about a taxpayer’s federal tax return, or to let the taxpayer know about a change to their account or request a payment. Don’t panic if mail comes from the IRS – they’re here to help.
When a taxpayer receives mail from the IRS, they should:
- Read the letter carefully. Most IRS letters and notices are about federal tax returns or tax accounts. Each notice deals with a specific issue and includes any steps the taxpayer needs to take. A notice may reference changes to a taxpayer’s account, taxes owed, a payment request or a specific issue on a tax return. Taking prompt action could minimize additional interest and penalty charges.
- Review the information. If a letter is about a changed or corrected tax return, the taxpayer should review the information and compare it with the original return. If the taxpayer agrees, they should make notes about the corrections on their personal copy of the tax return and keep it for their records. Typically, a taxpayer will need to act only if they don’t agree with the information, if the IRS asked for more information or if they have a balance due.
- Take any requested action, including making a payment. The IRS and authorized private debt collection agencies DO send letters by mail. Taxpayers can also view digital copies of select IRS notices by logging into their IRS Online Account. The IRS offers several options to help taxpayers struggling to pay a tax bill.
- Reply only if instructed to do so. Taxpayers don’t need to reply to a notice unless specifically told to do so. There is usually no need to call the IRS. If a taxpayer does need to call the IRS, they should use the number in the upper right-hand corner of the notice and have a copy of their tax return and letter.
- Let the IRS know of a disputed notice. If a taxpayer doesn’t agree with the IRS, they should follow the instructions in the notice to dispute what the notice says. The taxpayer should include information and documents for the IRS to review when considering the dispute.
- Keep the letter or notice for their records. Taxpayers should keep notices or letters they receive from the IRS. These include adjustment notices when the IRS takes action on a taxpayer’s account. Taxpayers should keep records for three years from the date they filed the tax return.
- Watch for scams. The IRS will never contact a taxpayer using social media or text message. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail. Taxpayers who are unsure whether they owe money to the IRS can view their tax account information on IRS.gov
More information
Taxpayers who missed the August 5, 2026 deadline (extended from April 15, 2026 and May 1, 2026 due to Federal disaster declarations which included Thurston County) but owe taxes should file their return AND pay the taxes they owe as soon as they can to avoid additional penalties and interest. While taxpayers can get an extension to file their return late, this does not excuse them from paying their taxes on time.
Even if a taxpayer cannot afford to pay immediately the full amount of taxes owed, they should still file a tax return and pay as much as possible to minimize the penalties and interest they will otherwise incur. The IRS offers options for taxpayers who need help paying their tax bill. To learn more about penalties, visit this IRS webpage. Taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief if they have filed and paid timely for the past three years and meet other requirements. For more information, visit this IRS webpage.