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IRS expanding video options

August 24, 2009

Can't find a program that appeals to you on TV? Tune in the IRS network!

Yes everyone's favorite federal agency, the Internal Revenue Service, is taking new media very seriously. The IRS now has its own YouTube page, with a collection of video presentations for your viewing and tax pleasure.

The videos cover a variety of relevant tax topics and are in English, American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish. In addition, iTunes aficionados can find IRS podcasts at that site.

The latest IRS clips contain information on the 2009 stimulus plan, otherwise known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Videos highlight the $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s credit, the sales or excise tax deduction on new car purchases and the expanded credits for education expenses and energy conservation efforts.

There's also a video, featured below, on using the IRS' withholding calculator, which might come in handy if you're concerned that your payroll taxes need tweaking in light of the Making Work Pay tax credit that took effect in April.

As I blogged about earlier in Making Work Pay payroll considerations, folks who have been having less money taken out of their paychecks because of the credit, but who hold more than one job or have a working spouse, could end up having to pay some of that credit back if their withholding isn't correct.

The online withholding calculator can help you avoid that unwelcome surprise when you file next year by determining how much should be coming out of your checks now.

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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