Wednesday, November 29, 2017

5 Tax Season Tips You Need To Know Before 2018

It’s never too early to start thinking about tax season.

There are many things to consider for a quick and seamless tax return this year. If you keep these 10 tips in mind, you will be less likely to experience a tax refund delay.


1. The First Day to File Taxes

There have been rumors about the first day to file taxes in 2018. According to some websites out there, the first day you can file taxes in 2018 will be January 21st. However, according to the IRS, an official date hasn’t yet been decided. It is likely to be the third week of January, based on past tax seasons. Be sure to always check the IRS website to see when the official date will be.


2. Check If Your ITIN Will Expire

An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, which is a tax processing number for the IRS. On December 31st, 2017, any ITINs that haven’t been used for the last three years will expire. On top of those, according to the IRS, they will be expiring ITINs issued before 2013 and have middle digits 70, 71, 72 or 80. If your ITIN is due to expire, send an application to renew it before the end of the year. This will help ensure there won’t be a delay in your tax refund. Note: If you use a Social Security Number for filing taxes, this does not apply to you.



3. Start Gathering Your Documents

You’ll want to ensure you have all necessary documents for your tax return. This includes your previous tax return, W-2, 1099, and any other forms required for taxes. These typically come from your employer and banks in January. Once you receive them, double-check that all your information is correct. Use TurboTax’s preparation checklist to help know which documents you need.

4. EITC and ACTC Refunds Will be Held

For those filing with Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund will be held until late-February. This is required by law. Ensure you aware of this timing when filing these credits and making plans for your return.

5. Choose E-file and use Direct Deposit

Using these options during your tax return will help you get your refund fastest. The IRS states, “Electronically filing a tax return is the most accurate way to prepare and file. Errors delay refunds and the easiest way to avoid them is to e-file.” Along with e-file, direct deposit is the quickest way to receive your refund. It also saves taxpayer money if you choose direct deposit instead of a paper check.



Now that you have the top 5 tips for tax season, start preparing by gathering your documents and applying for a new ITIN before the end of the year. This will make it much easier for you and/or your accountant when it comes time to file your tax return.

For advice on what to do with the extra funds from your return, contact the specialists at Financial One Credit Union. We have partnered with Ameriprise Financial and can help you invest, pay off debts, plan for retirement and manage your money for the future.

 

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The Best Ways to Give Back This Season

It is the season of giving and there is a multitude of ways you can make the holidays a little happier for those around you. Here are the best ways you can give back and spread cheer!

Volunteer Opportunities

Great places to volunteer this time of year are food shelves and homeless shelters. As the cold weather sets in, these places experience higher volumes. They also have an influx of donations around the season of giving so they need extra volunteers to sort and manage these items.

If you are looking for the right opportunity to volunteer, you can get matched with local organizations at volunteermatch.org.

Local Love

If you feel like giving back in a more personal way, consider helping locals in your area that are struggling. If you know a family with young kids struggling financially, consider giving them toys to gift their children when they can not afford to buy them. Adopt a family through a charitable or religious organization to give something that specific family needs, usually clothing. Consider small acts of kindness to spread joy like shoveling a neighbor's driveway, making your coworkers cookies unexpectedly, or inviting someone lonely for dinner.


Bank With Financial One

To give back on a larger scale, consider banking with Financial One. We are committed to serving our community's needs, which is why we stick to our Social Promise.

When you choose Financial One for your home loan, we provide 1 night of housing for someone homeless. When you open a checking line-of-credit, a veteran in need receives one coat. Lastly, when you open an auto loan with Financial One, we donate 100 lbs of food to the local food shelf. This program has allowed our credit union and members to give back in a big way!


The best ways to give back during the holidays are easy to find when you know where to look. The best thing about giving back is that you aren’t limited to the holiday season. Commit to giving back to your community all year round.

How will you be celebrating the season of giving this year?