Top Tax Tips for Professionals and Individuals

Even the most experienced and knowledgeable tax professional can run into issues or have questions during tax season. To help, DOR put together a list of tax tips to assist tax professionals and individuals with their filings.

Tax Tips for Tax Professionals

• Only use forms provided by DOR or DOR certified and approved tax preparation software.
• Include all necessary schedules and income statements when filing a paper return (for example, Schedule CT-40PNR with a Form IT-40PNR).
• Have the appropriate paperwork on file (Power of Attorney, for example) to discuss your client’s return with DOR.

To view a full list of tips for tax professionals visit our website.

 Tax Tips for Individuals

• Don’t staple checks or returns.
• Don’t file your taxes until you have all your appropriate documentation.
• Be sure to sign the return.
• Don’t file your taxes twice (by paper and electronically).

 To view a full list of tips for individuals visit our website.

DOR Tax Library Update

In December 2019, DOR eliminated all Commissioner’s Directives, a category of documents providing general tax information. Most active Commissioner’s Directives were converted into a new category called General Tax Information Bulletins. Others were converted into existing document categories, combined with existing bulletins or eliminated entirely. A historical table explaining the changes to all Commissioner’s Directives can be found on DOR’s website.

You can subscribe to updates for all information bulletins here.

Indiana Tax Dollars at Work Campaign

Ever wonder how the taxes paid to the State of Indiana are used? DOR is embarking on a communications campaign in collaboration with 12 other state agencies throughout 2020 to answer that question. Follow along by subscribing to our Tax Talk blog and on social media, @INRevenue.

Want to know who has joined the campaign? Check out our website.

DOR’s Tax Talk

Tax Talk is a weekly blog published each Wednesday discussing tax tips, DOR programs and helpful information for tax preparers. During tax season, blogs will be posted on both Mondays and Wednesdays. Subscribe today, or read the latest blogs below!

• Jan. 8, 2020 – Be Sure You Have All Documents before Filing Your Taxes
• Jan. 13, 2020 – Introducing Money Mondays

2020 Tax Season Opening Soon

It’s almost “go time” as the 2020 tax season opens on Monday, Jan. 27! Are you ready? Learn more about the Indiana freefile (INfreefile) program, printable forms, assistance programs for senior and low-income taxpayers and tax tips by visiting DOR’s website.

New Collections Partner on Board

It’s now officially January 2020 and that means that our new collections partner, United Collections Bureau (UCB) has started work on DOR collections. As we transition, be aware that some accounts may still be held with Premiere Credit of North America through June 2020, with all accounts being handled by UCB in July 2020.  More information can be found on our website.

Indiana Eliminating Tax Fraud Attempts

DOR’s tax fraud program has stopped over $140 million in fraud since its inception in 2014. This program continues to find new ways to detect fraud before tax returns enter the financial system, meaning less fraudulent refunds are processed and paid. More…

Recent DOR Agency Announcements

• Jan. 16, 2020 – Individual Income Tax Season Starts Jan. 27

Helpful Links on DOR’s Website

• Individual Income Taxes
• INfreefile
• INtax
• Payment Plans
• Tax Forms

DOR On the Move

DOR experts will present at these upcoming events:

• Feb. 5, Indianapolis: 2020 Indiana Business Tax Conference
• Feb. 11, Evansville: Institute of Management AccountantsLuncheon

Visit DOR’s Public Events web page to find out when DOR is coming to your area.