This article was published by the IRS.

With the 2025 filing season underway and the anticipated high demand for IRS phone lines around the Presidents Day holiday, the Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to visit IRS.gov and use online tools to get immediate answers.

Presidents Day weekend is typically a busy time in the tax filing season, according to IRS statistics, when calls to IRS phone lines are often at their highest.

The IRS has resources to help taxpayers beat the rush. On IRS.gov, taxpayers can use the Let us help you page that covers most topics for filing season and beyond. In addition, people can get free help online with self-service options.

Skip the wait: Get tax info with an Individual Online Account

Individuals with Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) can create or securely access their Individual Online Account and get the latest information about their federal tax account.

With an IRS online account, taxpayers can:

* Access their tax records, including their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recently filed tax return.

* View, approve and sign authorizations from their tax professional.

* Request and view their identity protection PIN (IP PIN), a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using their information.

* Check refund status.

* Validate and save bank accounts.

* View balance and payment history and create a payment plan.

* Make a payment and schedule or cancel future payments.

* Get virtual assistance for balance due and payment-related questions.

* Manage their communication preferences.

Skip the wondering: Check refund status online

The popular Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov has the most up-to-date information available about a taxpayer’s refund status. Recent improvements to Where’s My Refund? allow taxpayers to see more detailed refund status messages in plain language, reducing the need for taxpayers to call the IRS.

Most Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return. Taxpayers can check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund date. Where's My Refund? should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers.

Skip the phone: Get answers to tax questions online

The Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) tool on IRS.gov provides answers to several tax questions specific to individual circumstances. Based on input, ITA determines a person’s filing status, whether they should file a tax return, if someone is an eligible dependent, if a type of income is taxable, if a filer is eligible to claim a credit, if an expense is deductible and more.

Skip the headache: Use online checklists when preparing to file

Taxpayers can find out what tax paperwork and records they need to file an accurate and complete return on IRS.gov. Taxpayers should have all their important and necessary documents before preparing their return. They should also check for common errors and omissions that may slow down tax processing, including refund times.

If a taxpayer receives Form 1099-K, they should visit What to do with Form 1099-K to help them determine if that money should be reported as income on their federal tax return. Missing a W-2? Certain information return documents are available in Individual Online Account. People can sign on and get copies of Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement; Forms 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement; and Forms 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation. These forms are available for tax years 2023 and 2024.

Skip the guessing: Check eligibility for EITC using online tax assistant

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. The IRS estimates that about one in five EITC eligible taxpayers don’t claim this valuable credit. If a taxpayer qualifies, they can use the credit to reduce the taxes they owe – and maybe increase their refund.

The Identity Theft Central to find out more.

An identity protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using their Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. It helps the IRS verify a person’s identity when they file their electronic or paper tax return. The fastest way to request and receive an IP PIN is by creating an Individual Online Account. If someone wishes to get an IP PIN and they don’t already have an account on IRS.gov, they must register to validate their identity.

Skip the surprise: Use the Tax Withholding Estimator

Taxpayers should check their tax withholding every year, especially if they experience a major life change. The Tax Withholding Estimator tool allows taxpayers to estimate the federal income tax they want their employer to withhold from their paycheck.

By using the Tax Withholding Estimator, taxpayers can adjust their tax withheld up front so they can protect against having too little tax withheld and prevent an unexpected tax bill or penalty at tax time next year. Taxpayers should submit a new Form W-4 to their employer to make any adjustments.

IRS.gov is the first stop for help

IRS.gov is the quickest and easiest option to get help. Taxpayers can visit IRS.gov anytime to get answers to tax questions. People can find more tips and resources by visiting the Let us help you page on IRS.gov.