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fraud. Your taxes can be affected 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 taxpayers by email, text mes- sages, telephone calls, or social media channels to request per- sonal or financial information. This includes requests for personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, or similar information for credit cards, banks, or other fi- nancial accounts. • Go to IRS.gov/IdentityTheft, the IRS Identity Theft Central web- page, for information on identity theft and data security protection for taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses. If your SSN has been lost or stolen or you suspect you’re a victim of tax-related iden- tity theft, you can learn what steps you should take. • Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). IP PINs are six-digit numbers assigned to taxpayers to help pre- vent the misuse of their SSNs on fraudulent federal income tax re- turns. When you have an IP PIN, it prevents someone else from filing a tax return with your SSN. To learn more, go to IRS.gov/IPPIN. Ways to check on the status of your refund. • Go to IRS.gov/Refunds. • Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile device to check your refund status. • Call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Note. The IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February 2022 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. Making a tax payment. 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 sav- ings account at no cost to you. • Debit or Credit Card: Choose an approved payment processor to pay online or by phone. • Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Schedule a payment when filing your federal taxes using tax return preparation software or through a tax professional. • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best option for busi- nesses. Enrollment is required. • Check or Money Order: Mail your payment to the address listed on the notice or instructions. • 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 fi- nancial institution. Contact your fi- nancial institution for availability, cost, and time frames. Note. The IRS uses the latest en- cryption technology to ensure that the electronic payments you make online, by phone, or from a mobile device us- ing the IRS2Go app are safe and se- cure. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and faster than mailing in a check or money order. What if I can’t pay now? Go to IRS.gov/Payments for more informa- tion about your options. • Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/OPA) to meet your tax obligation in monthly in- stallments if you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you com- plete the online process, you will receive immediate notification of whether your agreement 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 infor- mation on the Offer in Compromise program, go to IRS.gov/OIC. Filing an amended return. You can now file Form 1040-X electronically with tax filing software to amend 2019 or 2020 Forms 1040 and 1040-SR. To do so, you must have e-filed your origi- nal 2019 or 2020 return. Amended re- turns for all prior years must be mailed. Go to IRS.gov/Form1040X for informa- tion and updates. Checking the status of your amen- ded return. Go to IRS.gov/WMAR to track the status of Form 1040-X amen- ded returns. Note. 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 let- ter you’ve received. Go to IRS.gov/ Notices to find additional information about responding to an IRS notice or letter. You can use Schedule LEP, Re- quest for Change in Language Prefer- ence, to state a preference to receive notices, letters, or other written com- munications from the IRS in an alterna- tive language, when these are availa- ble. Once your Schedule LEP is processed, the IRS will determine your translation needs and provide you translations when available. If you have a disability requiring notices in an ac- cessible format, see Form 9000. Contacting your local IRS office. Keep in mind, many questions can be answered on IRS.gov without visiting an IRS 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 han- dled 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. Before 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 Connec- ted tab, choose the Contact Us option and click on “Local 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 rights. Their job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and Publication 929 (2021) Page 27