Five ‘Social Ways’ to Get Tax Information

Whether you’re a smart phone user or prefer social media to other, more conventional forms of communication and information, the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know that it has you covered.

The IRS released this week tips on how to get the latest information it offers elsewhere—like in hard copy or on its website—on gadgets, mobile devices or via social media, including tax changes, initiatives and products and services.

IRS2Go APP

The IRS launched a smart phone application this year that allows you to interact with the IRS using your mobile device.The IRS says the mobile application can help you get your refund status and tax updates. IRS2Go is available for the iPhone or iTouch and the Android.

The IRS on YouTube

The IRS now has channels on YouTube with brief but informative videos on a variety of tax-related topics. The videos are in English, American Sign Language and a variety of other languages.

The IRS on Twitter

Yes, the IRS tweets now. Included are tax-related announcements, news for tax professionals and updates for job seekers. 

Follow the IRS @IRSnews and @GREGGIRS.

IRS Podcasts

The short audio recordings, which are available on iTunes or through the Multimedia Center on its website (along with their transcripts), provide information on “one tax-related topic per podcast,” according to the IRS. Tune in.

IRS Widgets

“These tools, which can be placed on websites, blogs or social media networks, direct others to IRS.gov for information. The widgets feature the latest tax initiatives and programs and can be found on Marketing Express, the marketing site that allows IRS partners and tax preparers to customize their IRS communications products,” says the IRS of its use of widgets.

The caveat with any of these methods of getting information from the IRS is that the agency cannot answer personal tax or account questions.

Links and more information on all of the IRS’s social media tools are available here.