Tax Tools for the Social Media Universe

While it's July and not April, and the last thing you want to think about right now is doing your taxes, our friends over at the IRS sent us this press release on how people like you (yes, you!) can get your tax information via social networking means.

If you use your smartphone to work smarter or you prefer social media resources over hard copy documents, check out the ways the Internal Revenue Service delivers the latest information on tax changes, initiatives, products and services through social media.

1. You Need to Know About IRS2Go: The IRS launched a smartphone application this year that lets you interact with the IRS using your mobile device. The mobile application can help you get your refund status and tax updates.  IRS2Go is available for the iPhone or iTouch and the Android.
2. You Need to Know About YouTube: The IRS has video channels on YouTube with short, informative videos on various tax-related topics. The videos are in English, American Sign Language and a variety of foreign languages.
3. You Need to Know About Twitter: IRS tweets include tax-related announcements, news for tax professionals and updates for job seekers.  Follow us @IRSnews and @GREGGIRS.
   
4. You Need to Know About Audio files for Podcasts: These short audio recordings provide useful information on one tax-related topic per podcast. The audio files are available on iTunes or through the Multimedia Center on IRS.gov (along with their transcripts).
5. You Need to Know About 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.

Just remember that the IRS uses these tools to share information with you. Do not post any confidential information on new or social media sites, especially your Social Security number or confidential information. The IRS will not be able to answer personal tax or account questions on any of these sites. To find links to all of IRS’s social media tools, visit www.irs.gov and click on “IRS New Media.”