For Immediate Release
Date: February 26, 2008
Contact: David Griffith
Phone: (573) 751-8222

Department of Revenue Offers Helpful Tax Filing Tips

        JEFFERSON CITY – Tax Season is well underway and the Missouri Department of Revenue (Department) is offering some helpful filing tips for all Missouri taxpayers to avoid delays in processing their tax return.

        “The Department of Revenue continually looks for ways to make the Department more efficient and responsive to Missouri taxpayers,” said Omar Davis, Director of Revenue.  “This information will help in many avoidable delays in the processing of Missourians hard earned refunds.”

        Some of the items to be aware of would include:

1. Make sure the return is signed and if you are filing a combined return, make sure both spouses have signed the return.
2. Attach all necessary documentation.  Examples: W-2 forms, 1099-R forms, MO-CR form along with a copy of the other state’s return, the MO-A if there are additions or subtractions to income, you are itemizing your deductions or you are claiming a pension/social security/social security disability exemption.
3. Check the correct filing status box for your filing situation.
4. Enter the number of dependents you are entitled to claim in the dependent box, but do not include yourself or your spouse.
5. Total the W-2 forms and enter on the Missouri tax withheld line, do not include any city earnings tax or other states withholding
6. If you are claiming estimated tax payments, include any transfer of estimated tax from the previous year
7. Attach the MO-TC form if you are claiming any miscellaneous tax credits
8. Check the 62 through 64, over 65, blind, and/or disabled boxes on the front of the return if they apply
9. Do not include in your federal tax deduction your federal earned income credit or self-employment tax.
10. Enter the correct standard deduction for your filing status.

        Additionally, the Department has seven Tax Assistance Centers throughout the state to assist Missouri taxpayers in answering tax questions and completing tax returns.  Customers may also call (573) 751-3505 for personal tax questions, (573) 751-2836 for business tax questions, or may e-mail specific tax questions to income@dor.mo.gov (income tax), corporation@dor.mo.gov (corporation tax), and businessregistration@dor.mo.gov (business tax).

        The Department’s web site at www.dor.mo.gov contains answers to hundreds of frequently asked tax questions.

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