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filing options to CPAs, accountants, enrolled agents, and individuals who process Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement. IRS social media. Go to IRS.gov/SocialMedia to see the various social media tools the IRS uses to share the latest information on tax changes, scam alerts, initiatives, products, and services. At the IRS, privacy and security are paramount. We use these tools to share public information with you. Don’t post your SSN or other confidential information on social media sites. Always protect your identity when using any social networking site. The following IRS YouTube channels pro- vide short, informative videos on various tax-re- lated topics in English, Spanish, and ASL. • Youtube.com/irsvideos. • Youtube.com/irsvideosmultilingua. • Youtube.com/irsvideosASL. Watching IRS videos. The IRS Video portal (IRSVideos.gov) contains video and audio pre- sentations for individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals. Online tax information in other languages. You can find information on IRS.gov/ MyLanguage if English isn’t your native lan- guage. Free interpreter service. Multilingual assis- tance, provided by the IRS, is available at Tax- payer Assistance Centers (TACs) and other IRS offices. Over-the-phone interpreter service is accessible in more than 350 languages. Getting tax forms and publications. Go to IRS.gov/Forms to view, download, or print all of the forms, instructions, and publications you may need. You can also download and view popular tax publications and instructions (in- cluding the Instructions for Forms 1040 and 1040-SR) on mobile devices as an eBook at IRS.gov/eBooks. Or you can go to IRS.gov/ OrderForms to place an order. Access your online account (individual tax- payers only). Go to IRS.gov/Account to se- curely access information about your federal tax account. • View the amount you owe, pay online, or set up an online payment agreement. • Access your tax records online. • Review your payment history. • Go to IRS.gov/SecureAccess to review the required identity authentication process. Using direct deposit. The fastest way to re- ceive a tax refund is to file electronically and choose direct deposit, which securely and elec- tronically transfers your refund directly into your financial account. Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that your check could be lost, stolen, or returned undeliverable to the IRS. Eight in 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their re- funds. The IRS issues more than 90% of re- funds in less than 21 days. Getting a transcript of your return. The quickest way to get a copy of your tax transcript is to go to IRS.gov/Transcripts. Click on either “Get Transcript Online” or “Get Transcript by Mail” to order a free copy of your transcript. If you prefer, you can order your transcript by call- ing 800-908-9946. Reporting and resolving your tax-related identity theft issues. • Tax-related identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit tax fraud. Your taxes can be af- fected if your SSN is used to file a fraudu- lent return or to claim a refund or credit. • The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with tax- payers by email, text messages, telephone calls, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. This in- cludes requests for personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, or similar in- formation for credit cards, banks, or other financial accounts. • Go to IRS.gov/IdentityTheft, the IRS Iden- tity Theft Central webpage, for information on identity theft and data security protec- tion for taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses. If your SSN has been lost or stolen or you suspect you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft, you can learn what steps you should take. • Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). IP PINs are six-digit numbers assigned to eli- gible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their SSNs on fraudulent federal income tax returns. When you have an IP PIN, it prevents someone else from filing a tax re- turn with your SSN. To learn more, go to IRS.gov/IPPIN. Checking on the status of your refund. • Go to IRS.gov/Refunds. • The IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February 2021 for returns that claimed the EIC or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these credits. • Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile device to check your refund status. • Call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Making a tax payment. The IRS uses the lat- est encryption technology to ensure your elec- tronic payments are safe and secure. You can make electronic payments online, 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 for information on how to make a payment using any of the following options. • IRS Direct Pay: Pay your individual tax bill or estimated tax payment directly from your checking or savings account at no cost to you. • Debit or Credit Card: Choose an approved payment processor to pay online, by phone, or by mobile device. • Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Offered only when filing your federal taxes using tax re- turn preparation software or through a tax professional. • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best option for businesses. Enrollment is required. • Check or Money Order: Mail your payment to the address listed on the notice or in- structions. • Cash: You may be able to pay your taxes with cash at a participating retail store. • Same-Day Wire: You may be able to do same-day wire from your financial institu- tion. Contact your financial institution for availability, cost, and cut-off times. What if I can’t pay now? Go to IRS.gov/ Payments for more information about your op- tions. • Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/OPA) to meet your tax obligation in monthly installments if you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you complete the online process, you will receive imme- diate notification of whether your agree- ment has been approved. • Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier to see if you can settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. For more information on the Offer in Compro- mise program, go to IRS.gov/OIC. Filing an amended return. You can now file Form 1040-X electronically with tax filing soft- ware to amend 2019 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR. To do so, you must have e-filed your original 2019 return. Amended returns for all prior years must be mailed. See Tips for taxpayers who need to file an amended tax return and go to IRS.gov/Form1040X for information and up- dates. Checking the status of your amended re- turn. Go to IRS.gov/WMAR to track the status of Form 1040-X amended returns. Please note that it can take up to 3 weeks from the date you filed 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 you’ve received. 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 Taxpayer Assis- tance 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 provide service by appointment, so you’ll know in advance that you can get the service you need without long wait times. Be- fore you visit, go to IRS.gov/TACLocator to find the nearest TAC and to check hours, available services, and appointment options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, under the Stay Connected tab, choose the Contact Us option and click on “Lo- cal Offices.” The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Is Here To Help You What Is TAS? TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer Page 24 Publication 526 (2020)