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<head>WashingtonPost.com: Web Expedition: "'Tis the Taxing Season"</TITLE>
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<h2>'Tis the Taxing Season</h2>
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By Nancie Meng<IMG src="/wp-srv/interact/images/tax_sites.jpg" width="132" height="140" align="right" alt="Tax Sites">
</i><br>
WashingtonPost.com Staff<br>
December 4, 1996<p>
<strong><font size="+3" color="#9020FF" face="arial">T</strong></font>hough
April 15 may seem years away, it's time for all good taxpayers to get this year's tax information in order <i>and</i> plan next year's strategy. Let us guide you through Web sites that may make the whole process less taxing (in every sense of the word). <p>
We'll fill your "tax pack" with some of the <A href="#1" target="body">best tax tools</a> on the Web and introduce you to a <A href="#2" target="body">superior search site</a> with links to all sorts of tax-related resources. We'll surf through the <A href="#3" target="body">Internal Revenue Service</a> and some state tax pages so you'll get a sense of where to find forms, publications, and help.
While you're touring, keep track of your questions. You can get answers from our <A href="#4" target="body">online tax consultant</a>.
<p><i><font size="-1">Editor's Note: Remember, the information you gather on this WashingtonPost.com Web Expedition cannot replace the advice of a competent, certified tax expert who is fully informed about the specifics of your tax situation, and it is not meant to do so.<br></font></i>
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<b>Tax Tools</b><br>
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To take full advantage of the tax resources available on the Web, you'll need the proper equipment.<p>
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Do you wait until April 15 to find the one tax form that stands between you and filing by the midnight deadline? Or maybe you're a perpetually prepared taxpayer.
Either way, you'll love the fact that many sites on our tour allow you to download forms.
Pause now to set up your browser to read Adobe Acrobat "portable document format" (.pdf) files. Our
<A href="/wp-srv/tech/outfitter/tips/acrobat.htm">Web Outfitter</a> will show you the steps.<p>
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Before hunting for forms, get a feel for what you'll need and what you'll owe.
If you anticipate a new baby, a new house, a new spouse, or a significant change in income during the next tax year, consider an adjustment to your payroll withholdings before January.
Before you fill out a new W-4 Form, use the Aatrix's simple <A href="http://primary.aatrix.com/calculator.html" target="body">Payroll Calculator</a> to get a sense of how the changes in your life will affect your take-home pay.<p>
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Do you wonder whether the amounts withheld from your salary are enough to cover the tax you'll owe this year? To find out, just plug all pertinent information into the Quality HiTech Services <A href="http://qhs.com/cgip001.htm" target="body">Income Tax Liability Calculator</a> for a quick estimate. If you need to borrow money to pay your tax bill, let the <A href="http://qhs.com/cgia001.htm" target="body">loan amortization calculator</a> calculate how many monthly payments you'll have to make.
And, those of you who expect a check from Uncle Sam or the state might want to invest your windfall. QHS has tools to help you make <A href="http://qhs.com/iraproj.htm" target="body">tax-free</a> and <A href="http://qhs.com/taxproj.htm" target="body">taxable</a> investment projections. <p>
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For a complete picture, you can use <A href="http://www.vni.net/~nettax/">NetTax'96</a> to calculate your 1996 federal income taxes.
The site is easy to navigate and gives thorough instructions. If you have questions as you fill in the form, it has quick and easy links to IRS information.
You can choose between a secure or unsecure version of the program. We recommend the secure one, even though you don't have to supply your name, social security number,
or email address to use the calculator. <p>
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<b>In Search Of ... </b><br>
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Searching through the all the tax information and resources on the Web sounds overwhelming. Fortunately, there's a well-organized and comprehensive site with links to information on taxing topics from audits to the U.S. Tax Code. <p>
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Prepare to spend a great deal of time on Dennis Schmidt's <A href="http://www.uni.edu/schmidt/bookmark.html" target="body">Tax Site Directory</a>. Select the <A href="http://www.uni.edu/schmidt/articles.html" target="body">Articles</a> link for materials from respected accounting firms, politicians, academic journals and other sources. The <A href="http://www.uni.edu/schmidt/state.html" target="body">State Taxes</a> page is an excellent source of quick links to state-specific Web sources, state-level tax issues, and other directories of information relating to state taxes. The link to other tax <A href="http://www.uni.edu/schmidt/direct.html" target="body">directories</a> is valuable, too. <p>
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<b>Tax Agency Sites</b><br>
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A virtual visit to a government taxing agency's Web site beats a face-to-face meeting any day. Just ask anyone who's been audited by state or federal officials and lived to tell about it. <p>
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The <A href="http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/" target="body">IRS Home Page</a> invites you to have a cup of coffee, open your mailbox, and see what's new.
<A href="http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/cover.html" target="body">The Digital Daily</a> appears faster than a 1040EZ to remind you how many days you have left before April 15.
You can get where you want to go from there, but the fastest way to find what you need is with the <A href="http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/search/site_tree.html" target="body">site tree</a>.
You can scroll through a detailed menu of items or use hyperlinks at the bottom of the page.
File managers will help you download <A href="http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/forms.html" target="body">forms</a>, <A href="http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/pubs.html" target="body">publications</a>, and <A href="http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/regs.html" target="body">regulations</a>.
There's so much here that we could do a whole expedition on this site alone, but these hot spots are enough to get you started.<p>
The sites for the states' taxation departments are as different as the states themselves.
Visit Dennis Schmidt's <A href="http://www.uni.edu/schmidt/state.html" target="body">State Taxes</a> page to surf through your state's site and see what's available. Or, take a quick trip through these:
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<A href="http://www.comp.state.md.us/main.htm" target="body">Maryland</a> taxpayers can get news releases, taxpayer assistance and other helpful information. But you won't be able to download the <A href="http://www.comp.state.md.us/forms.htm" target="body">new tax forms</a> until January 1, 1997</a>.<p>
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<A href="http://www.state.va.us/tax/tax.html" target="body">Virginia's</a> 1996 forms aren't available for download yet either, but you can place an online order for forms to be mailed to you.<p>
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<b>Talk to the Tax Expert</b><br>
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Stumped by that 1040EZ form? Wondering whether you qualify as "head of household?" Get your list of questions together and consult online with Ronald E. Polichnowski, CPA, WashingtonPost.com's <A href="/wp-srv/interact/longterm/safari/bios/ronpolic.htm" target="body">tax expert</a>.
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