Client FAQs
Frequently asked questions about CEP’s client services and tax return preparation are listed below. With other questions, please contact Client Services via email info@economicprogress.org or at (312) 630-0273.
- Where is my Federal or State refund?
- What should I do if my federal tax return has a mistake?
- What should I do if my return has been rejected?
- I don’t understand the notice or letter I received about my taxes. What should I do?
- Who can I claim on my return?
- Do I need to file a tax return if I received social security, disability, pension or unemployment benefits?
- How can I obtain a copy of my tax returns?
- How can I make changes to a tax return that has already been filed?
- What can I do if I am having problems with any of the following: IRS tax return examination audit, tax court case, or a levy or other collection issue?
- Do I qualify for the adoption tax credit?
- Who qualifies for Center for Economic Progress services?
1. Where is my Federal or State refund?
You can track your federal refund by going to the IRS.gov website and completing the form for ‘Get Refund Status.’ This refund status page will ask identification questions and provide the status of your refund. For Illinois returns, go to the Illinois Department of Revenue page for individuals and click on the My Refund link near the top of the Featured Topics section.
2. What should I do if my federal tax return has a mistake?
If you had the return prepared by a paid preparer, call the preparer to discuss how to make corrections. If a Center for Economic Progress tax site prepared your return, call us at 312-630-0273.
3. What should I do if my return has been rejected?
Between January 21 and April 17, 2012 go to the location where you got your return prepared. They will be able to determine why it was rejected and correct the problem. If your site closes prior to April 17 or if it is after April 17th, and we prepared your return, call us at 312-630-0273.
4. I don’t understand the notice or letter I received about my taxes. What should I do?
If you received a notice from IRS, we may be able to help. Call us at 312-630-0273.
5. Who can I claim on my return?
Generally, you can claim your children who lived with you if they’re under age 24 and full time students. You may be able to claim your children who are over 24 and other relatives who lived with you, if you provided most of their support. Review Publication 501 on Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Status for specific details at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf. Check with your tax advisor or go to irs.gov website for additional information.
6. Do I need to file a tax return if I received social security, disability, pension or unemployment benefits?
Social Security Benefits
Social security benefits include monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. Generally, if social security benefits were your only income for the year, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to file a federal income tax return. However, the social security benefits may be taxable if you received additional income from other sources, including interest and dividends, self-employment and other income. To determine whether or not your benefits are taxable go to this link: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179091,00.html
Note that supplemental security income (SSI) payments are not taxable.
Pension or Annuity Payments
If you receive retirement benefits in the form of pension or annuity payments, the amounts you receive may be fully taxable, or partially taxable. Check with your tax advisor or go to irs.gov website for additional information.
Unemployment Benefits
Normally, unemployment benefits are taxable. If you received unemployment compensation during the year, you should receive Form 1099-G (PDF) showing the amount you were paid. Any unemployment compensation received during the year generally must be included in your income.
7. How can I obtain a copy of my tax returns?
Go to your tax preparer and request a copy. If a Center for Economic Progress tax site prepared your return, call us at 312-630-0273. IRS also provides copies for a fee, or you can obtain a free return transcript for the last three years by going to the IRS website.
8. How can I make changes to a tax return that has already been filed?
Take a copy of your original return and any documents needed to make changes, such as additional income documents, to the person who prepared your tax return. Your preparer should be able to file an amended tax return for you. If a Center for Economic Progress tax site prepared your return, call us at 312-630-0273.
9. What can I do if I am having problems with any of the following: IRS tax return examination audit, tax court case, or a levy or other collection issue?
If the IRS believes there’s a mistake on your tax return they may conduct an audit of the return. The taxpayer is then asked to prove he or she qualified for the deductions and credits he claimed. If the IRS determines someone owes taxes, it can garnish wages or social security payments, take money out of the person’s bank account or file a lien – all actions that make it difficult to maintain good credit.
Call us at 312-630-0241 if you received an examination notice, notice of intent to levy, notice of intent to file a lien, or any other notice from the IRS that you have a hard time understanding. CEP can help you understand the notices and the documents you need to provide as proof of deductions or credits claimed on your tax return.
If you don’t believe you owe the IRS money, CEP can investigate and make a claim on your behalf. In some cases, we can stop collection actions by reducing the amount owed or making affordable payment arrangements. You can also contact us if you need to file a Tax Court petition or need full Tax Court representation.
10. Do I qualify for the adoption tax credit?
If you adopted a child during the period 2008 - 2011, you may qualify for the adoption tax credit. The Center for Economic Progress tax sites do not prepare tax returns that claim the adoption tax credit. Gather your tax records, as well as documentation for any adoption expenses that you paid, and bring them to your tax preparer. You will also need a copy of the adoption decree, placement agreement, and DCFS special needs determination, if applicable.
Call us at 312-630-0241 if the IRS disputes your right to claim the adoption tax credit. We can help you understand the notice and review your documents necessary to prove your right to the credit.
11. Who qualifies for Center for Economic Progress services?
CEP prepares tax returns in Illinois for free for individuals earning less than $25,000 or families earning less than $50,000. We do not prepare business returns for corporations or partnerships. We prepare basic tax returns for the self employed. Our tax preparation sites open on January 21, 2012. Click on this link, enter your zip code in the Find a Tax Site box for more information about hours and locations.
Our Tax Clinic also helps low income individuals who have a controversy with the IRS and would like to dispute their liability or negotiate affordable payment arrangements. You can qualify for a Tax Clinic representation if your current family income is less than the following thresholds:
| Family Size | Income No More Than |
| 1 | $27,225 |
| 2 | $36,775 |
| 3 | $46,325 |
| 4 | $55,875 |
| 5 | $65,425 |
| 6 | $74,975 |