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Tax Process Overview

Step 1 - Get Organized

Step 2 - Prepare Your Return

Step 3 - File Your Return

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Step 3 - File Your Return

You’ve got your tax forms, but you aren’t done with your taxes until you send your return to the tax authorities. Here’s how to wrap things up:

• Filing Your Return - E-file

• Filing Your Return - Paper File

• Filing Your Return - Troubleshooting TaxSlayer Rejects & Other E-filing Issues

File Your Return: E-file

Once you complete your return you will need to file it - send it in to the IRS / state Department of Revenue.

Most federal tax returns can be e-filed through TaxSlayer. We have also been successful in e-filing Minnesota income and property tax returns! Please see the link below for step by step instructions on e-filng your federal and state tax returns.

• TaxSlayer e-filing instructions

We strongly recommend that you e-file if possible. This will enable the tax authorities to process your return the fastest, and get you your refund the soonest. Federal returns are sent first, and you should receive notice that the IRS has accepted your return between 10 minutes and 24 hours after you submit it (within an hour is typical).

A state return return is submitted after the federal return is accepted. It will typically take slightly longer to get the message that the state has accepted your return - usually 1-2 days after the federal is accepted.

If you are getting a refund, we strongly recommend that you use direct deposit. This will get you your refund faster, and it won’t matter if you move or leave the country before the check arrives. If you request a paper check, be sure to use an address that will be good for at least the next 6 months. If you move before you receive your check, you should update your address with the IRS/state Dept. of Revenue as soon as possible (see their websites for instructions).

If you owe tax, you have several options for how to pay. Note that all tax payments are due by April 18th. If you pay after this date you may also owe interest and penalty amounts.

• If you e-file your return, you can schedule a free electronic withdrawal from a checking or savings account to pay any federal or state tax owed.

• For any federal tax owed, you can also make a payment through the IRS website www.irs.gov/payments - either an electronic withdrawal from a checking or savings account, mailing a check, or by credit/debit card (there is an additional fee for this).

• For a Minnesota return you can also pay by electronic withdrawal from a checking or savings account (recommended), mail in a check, or pay by credit/debit card (there is an additional fee for this). You can find more details about each of these options on the MN Dept. of Revenue website at www.revenue.state.mn.us/make-payment. Note that if you mail a check it will need to go to a separate address than your return, and you will need to include a voucher with the check. The printout from TaxSlayer will provide both the voucher and the addresses for the payment and tax return.

If you have problems filing, see the section below about TaxSlayer Rejects & Other E-filing Issues.

File Your Return: Paper filing

Unfortunately some returns cannot be e-filed. You can also choose to file on paper if you prefer, although we strongly recommend e-filing if at all possible. These are the most common situations that we are aware of that prevent e-filing:

• Minnesota returns cannot be e-filed if you are a married nonresident alien, and your spouse does not have a SSN or ITIN. A federal return in this situation can be e-filed.

• You cannot e-file if you are applying for an ITIN number.

If you file your return on paper, you will need to print the return from TaxSlayer, sign and date the return, and then mail it in to the IRS and state Department of Revenue. It typically takes 6-12 weeks for the tax authorities to process a paper return, and then several more weeks for a refund to be deposited. However, you should be aware that the IRS is currently stating that it can take up to 6 months to process a paper 1040NR return, so if you file on paper you should expect that it may take 6-12 months to receive your federal refund. Minnesota is much faster with their processing, and you should expect to receive your refund in the normal time frame.

• Paper filing instructions

If you are getting a refund, we strongly recommend that you use direct deposit. This will get you your refund faster, and it won’t matter if you move or leave the country before the check arrives. If you request a paper check, be sure to use an address that will be good for at least the next 6 months. If you move before you receive your check, you should update your address with the IRS/state Dept. of Revenue as soon as possible (see their websites for instructions).

If you owe tax, you have several options for how to pay. Note that all tax payments are due by April 18th. If you pay after this date you may also owe interest and penalty amounts.

• For any federal tax owed, you can make a payment through the IRS website www.irs.gov/payments - either an electronic withdrawal from a checking or savings account, mailing a check, or by credit/debit card (there is an additional fee for this).

• You can also include a check with your federal return when you mail it in to the IRS. You will need to send the return to a different address, so double check our instructions on this!

• For a Minnesota return you can also pay by electronic withdrawal from a checking or savings account (recommended), mail in a check, or pay by credit/debit card (there is an additional fee for this). You can find more details about each of these options on the MN Dept. of Revenue website at www.revenue.state.mn.us/make-payment. Note that if you mail a check it will need to go to a separate address than your return, and you will need to include a voucher with the check. The printout from TaxSlayer will provide both the voucher and the addresses for the payment and tax return.

Filing Your Return - Troubleshooting TaxSlayer Rejects & Other E-filing Issues

Can’t get rid of the error messages to e-file your return? Tried to e-file and your return was rejected? We’ve compiled a list of the most common issues and how to resolve them.

TaxSlayer E-file Reject Issues:

TaxSlayer Error Messages & What To Do:

If your problem isn’t listed above, please email us for help at taxassistance@nrvtap.com. We will need your TaxSlayer user ID and email to be able to communicate with TaxSlayer on your behalf. Do NOT send your password.