Frequently Asked Questions

Tax Filing FAQs

Everyone has question at tax time. Uncle Sam Express can help

How much does it cost to have my taxes done by Uncle Sam Express?
How quickly can I get money at Uncle Sam Express?
How do I get a copy of a prior-year tax return and W-2?
What information should I bring to Uncle Sam Express?
How do I get my W-2 form?
How do I find Uncle Sam Express?
I need to change my withholding. How do I update my personal information?
What is the Referral Program?
What is the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and am I eligible?
Do you Guarantee your work?
Is there an age limit on claiming my children as dependents?
What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009?
If I claim my daughter as a dependent because she is a full-time college student, can she claim herself as a dependent when she files her return?
How much is the Standard Deduction for 2009?
I received unemployment in 2009. Is this taxable?
If I cannot itemize my deductions, can I still deduction my real estate tax paid on my home?
What types of educational expenses are deductible?
Who can claim the Hope Credit?
What is a Lifetime Learning Credit?

How much does it cost to have my taxes prepared at Uncle Sam Express?

The cost of tax preparation is based upon the complexity of your tax return. To learn more, please contact us (208) 473-4340.
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How quickly can I get money at Uncle Sam Express?

When you file electronically and choose one of the free IRS Direct options, you can receive your refund directly from the IRS by direct deposit in approximately 8 to 15 days. You can also choose to have the IRS mail you a check in approximately 21 to 28 days. IRS Direct is free with paid tax preparation. We can also use a bank product that will allow us to take the fees out of your refund, this is subject to additional fees.
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How do I get a copy of a prior-year tax return and W-2?

 If you filed your tax return through Uncle Sam Express, then you can pick up a copy of your return at our office. Otherwise, as long as you filed your tax return with the IRS, you can request a photocopy or a computer transcript (a line-by-line listing) of the information on your filed tax return. Photocopies and transcripts are free from the IRS. If you need an actual copy (not a photocopy), then you must complete Form 4506 and pay a $57 fee for each year requested, for your filed tax return and all related tax information, such as your Form W-2.
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What information should I bring to Uncle Sam Express?

Items you may need for your tax interview:

Prior Year Taxes
Wage statements/W-2s
Self-employment business income and expenses/1099-MISC
Commissions received/paid
Pension, retirement income/1099-R 
Unemployment income/1099-G 
Canceled Debt Amount/1099-C 
Social Security income/SSA-1099 
IRA contributions
Statements on the sales of stocks or bonds/1099-B 
Interest and dividend income/1099-INT/1099-DIV
Lottery or gambling winnings/losses
State refund amount/1099-G
Income and expenses from rentals
Alimony paid or received
Record of purchase or sale of residence
Medical and dental expenses
Real estate and personal property taxes
State or local taxes paid
Estimated taxes or foreign taxes paid
Cash and non-cash charitable donations
Mortgage or home equity loan interest paid/1098
Unreimbursed employment-related expenses
Job-related educational expenses
Educator expenses
Tuition and Education Fees/1098-T
Student loan interest/1098-E
Casualty or theft losses
Child care expenses and provider information
Social Security card(s)
Driver's license(s)
Dependents' Social Security numbers and dates of birth
Information concerning Stimulus payment check
Last year's Federal and State tax return
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How do I get my Form W-2?

Your employer should mail your Form W-2 to you by January 31. Make sure to call employers to give them your most current address.
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How do I find a Uncle Sam Express?

We are located on the corner of Rose Hill St/Franklin Rd and S. Roosevelt St. Also just accross the street from Bench Commission Furniture. To view our location on Google Maps click here. 4346 W Rose Hill St, Boise, ID 83705 . Still need help? Give us a call (208)473-4340
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I need to change my withholding. How do I update my personal information?

Use Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. If you get married or divorced, if a child is born, or if you no longer can claim a child as your dependent, you will need to complete a new Form W-4. When you begin to work at a new company, your employer must give you a Form W-4 to complete. You can also request a Form W-4 from your employer at any time to reflect a change in your tax situation.
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What is the Referral Program?

After you pay for tax preparation, you will receive several Referral certificates from your tax preparer. Fill them out and pass them on to a friend who did not go to Uncle Sam Express last year. When your friend redeems the Referral certificate at Uncle Sam Express, we'll send you a cash reward! There's no limit to the number of customers you can refer.
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What is the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and am I eligible?

The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is applicable to low-income workers who may or may not have a qualifying child, or children, living with them. If you can take the EIC, then it is subtracted from the tax owed. The credit can be refunded even if you don’t owe any tax. If you have one qualifying child and your earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) are each less than $35,463 ($40,463 if filing Married Filing Jointly), then you could be eligible for a maximum credit of $3,043. The maximum credit is $5,028 if you have two qualifying children and your earned income and your AGI are both less than $40,295 ($45,295 if Married Filing Jointly). New this year, if you have three or more qualifying children and your earned income and AGI are each less than $43,279 ($48,279 if Married Filing Jointly) the maximum credit is $5,657.  You may still qualify for a maximum credit of $457 if you do not have children and your income is less than $13,440 ($18,440 if Married Filing Jointly). Ask your Jackson Hewitt tax preparer for more information. 
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Do you Gauarantee your work?

When you pay for tax preparation at Uncle Sam Express, you are automatically covered under our FREE Accuracy Guarantee  - it's our Basic Guarantee. It entitles you to reimbursement of penalties and interest charged by a taxing authority if a Uncle Sam Express preparer makes an error preparing your tax return. For an additional fee, you can purchase the Audit Shield for extra, worry-free coverage. If you purchase the Audit Shield and a taxing authority notifies you of an error on your tax return, contact Uncle Sam Express, and we’ll work with you to resolve the issue, which may include reimbursement for any additional tax liability or reduction in your refund amount up to $2,500. Ask your tax preparer for current pricing of the Audit Shield.
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Is there an age limit on claiming my children as dependents?

Age is a factor in the qualifying child test, but a qualifying relative can be any age.As long as the following dependency exemption tests are met, you may claim him or her:Qualifying child or qualifying relative test Dependent taxpayer test Citizenship or resident test Joint return test
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What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The bill is intended to provide a stimulus to the U.S. economy in the wake of the economic downturn. The bill includes federal tax cuts, expansion of unemployment benefits and other social provisions, including domestic spending in education, health care, and infrastructure, including the energy sector. 
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If I claim my daughter as a dependent because she is a full-time college student, can she claim herself as a dependent when she files her return?

If you claim your daughter as a dependent on your income tax return, she cannot claim herself on her income tax return.If an individual is filing his or her own tax return, and the individual can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return, the individual cannot claim his or her own personal exemption.
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How much is the Standard Deduction for 2009?

For 2009 the standard deduction is:
If your filing status is :           Then your standard deduction is:
Single                                       $5,450    
Married Filing Joint                 $10,900
Qualifying Widower                 $10,900                 
Married Filing Separately       $5,450          
Head of Household                 $8,000        
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I received unemployment in 2009. Is this taxable?

Yes, however, for 2009 the first $2,400 is not taxable.
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If I cannot itemize my deductions, can I still deduction my real estate tax paid on my home?

If you paid real estate taxes on your residence located within the U.S. and you cannot claim itemized deductions you can add the amount paid up to $500.00 ($1,000 Married Filing Jointly) to your standard deduction.   
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What types of educational expenses are deductible?

Deductible educational expenses include:

Amounts spent for tuition, books, supplies, laboratory fees and similar items.
They also include the cost of correspondence courses, as well as formal training and research you do as part of an educational program.
Transportation and travel expenses to attend qualified educational activities may also be deductible.
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Who can claim the Hope Credit?

Generally, you can claim the Hope Credit if all three of the following requirements are met:
You pay qualified tuition and related expenses for the first 2 years of postsecondary education. You pay the tuition and related expenses for an eligible student. The eligible student is either you, your spouse, or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return.
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What is a Lifetime Learning Credit?

The Lifetime Learning Credit is a nonrefundable tax credit with a dollar limit per family that is available for qualified tuition and related expenses of higher education whether the student is at the undergraduate or graduate level.The Lifetime Learning Credit is calculated by taking a percentage of the qualified educational expenses paid.
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