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• The First Time Homebuyer Credit Account Look-up (IRS.gov/HomeBuyer) tool provides information on your repayments and account balance. • The Sales Tax Deduction Calculator (IRS.gov/ SalesTax) figures the amount you can claim if you itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040), choose not to claim state and local income taxes, and you didn’t save your receipts showing the sales tax you paid. Resolving tax-related identity theft issues. • The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email or telephone to request personal or financial in- formation. This includes any type of electronic com- munication, such as text messages and social media channels. • Go to IRS.gov/IDProtection for information. • If your SSN has been lost or stolen or you suspect you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft, visit IRS.gov/IdentiityTheft to learn what steps you should take. Checking on the status of your refund. • Go to IRS.gov/Refunds. • The IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February 2019 for returns that claimed the EIC or the ACTC. This ap- plies to the entire refund, not just the portion associ- ated with these credits. • Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile de- vice to check your refund status. • Call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Making a tax payment. The IRS uses the latest encryp- tion technology to ensure your electronic payments are safe and secure. You can make electronic payments on- line, by phone, and from a mobile device using the IRS2Go app. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and faster than mailing in a check or money order. Go to IRS.gov/Payments to make a payment using any of the following options. • IRS Direct Pay: Pay your individual tax bill or estima- ted tax payment directly from your checking or sav- ings account at no cost to you. • Debit or credit card: Choose an approved payment processor to pay online, by phone, and by mobile de- vice. • Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Offered only when fil- ing your federal taxes using tax return preparation software or through a tax professional. • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best op- tion for businesses. Enrollment is required. • Check or money order: Mail your payment to the ad- dress listed on the notice or instructions. • Cash: You may be able to pay your taxes with cash at a participating retail store. What if I can’t pay now? Go to IRS.gov/Payments for more information about your options. • Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/ OPA) to meet your tax obligation in monthly install- ments if you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you complete the online process, you will receive im- mediate notification of whether your agreement has been approved. • Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier (IRS.gov/ OIC) to see if you can settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. Checking the status of an amended return. Go to IRS.gov/WMAR to track the status of Form 1040X amen- ded returns. Please note that it can take up to 3 weeks from the date you mailed your amended return for it to show up in our system and processing it can take up to 16 weeks. Understanding an IRS notice or letter. Go to IRS.gov/ Notices to find additional information about responding to an IRS notice or letter. Contacting your local IRS office. Keep in mind, many questions can be answered on IRS.gov without visiting an IRS Tax Assistance Center (TAC). Go to IRS.gov/ LetUsHelp for the topics people ask about most. If you still need help, IRS TACs provide tax help when a tax issue can’t be handled online or by phone. All TACs now pro- vide service by appointment so you’ll know in advance that you can get the service you need without long wait times. Before you visit, go to IRS.gov/TACLocator to find the nearest TAC, check hours, available services, and ap- pointment options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, under the Stay Connected tab, choose the Contact Us option and click on “Local Offices.” Watching IRS videos. The IRS Video portal (IRSVideos.gov) contains video and audio presentations for individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals. Getting tax information in other languages. For tax- payers whose native language isn’t English, we have the following resources available. Taxpayers can find informa- tion on IRS.gov in the following languages. • Spanish (IRS.gov/Spanish). • Chinese (IRS.gov/Chinese). • Vietnamese (IRS.gov/Vietnamese). • Korean (IRS.gov/Korean). • Russian (IRS.gov/Russian). The IRS TACs provide over-the-phone interpreter serv- ice in over 170 languages, and the service is available free to taxpayers. Chapter 4 How To Get Tax Help Page 49