Get ready!  Big changes to the Medicare tax are coming in 2013!  Starting that year, higher income taxpayers will be charged an additional .9% Medicare tax, and the tax will be expanded to cover unearned investment income.  More at:  http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/22/news/economy/medicare_tax_increase/index.htm

Canceled debts are generally taxable, but the good news is that there are exclusions.  If you recently had a credit card debt canceled or reduced, or perhaps a mortgage, you may be entitled to claim the bankruptcy, insolvency, or principal residence exclusions.  For details, see:   http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/globalmedia/p4681.pdf  

Wondering when your refund will be coming? You can check the status online at:   http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html

Oops!  Did you make a mistake on your return?  To correct an error, file form 1040X.  Here's a link to the form:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040x.pdf.

Did you know you can pay your taxes by debit or credit card?  For details on your payment options, see:  http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=119097,00.html. 

Here are some last-minute tips for those procrastinators out there who have not yet filed their tax returns:  https://mailapp01.register.com/cde9ca86/gds/popout.html 

Don't forget that your duty to file a tax return is separate from your obligation to pay the tax owed.  Even if you don't have the $ now to pay the IRS all that you owe, be sure to file a timely tax return or you could face additional penalties.  You can obtain an installment agreement to pay your taxes out over time by filing Form 9465 available at:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f9465.pdf.

If you make a contribution to a qualified charity for Haiti earthquake relief before March 1st, you can deduct the contribution on your 2009 Schedule A rather than waiting until 2010.  See:   http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=218679,00.html.

Don't forget to claim the new "Making Work Pay" credit by filing a Schedule M and reporting your credit on Line 63 of your Form 1040.  You may be entitled to a tax credit up to $800!  For details, see:  http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=218614,00.html.  You can access the Schedule M at:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sm.pdf.

Own a home but don't itemize?  You can still deduct up to $500 of your real estate taxes in addition to your standard deduction.  Check box 40b on your Form 1040 and attach Schedule L.  You can access the Schedule L at:  http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sl.pdf.

The new standard mileage rate for business miles driven in 2010 is 50 cents per mile (down from 55 cents per mile in 2009).

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