Note from APA OKC: This is helpful info that you can share with your employees during this income tax filing season.

The IRS encourages you to plan ahead and take advantage of the online resources available on IRS.gov. It’s easier than ever to access the site and get the help and information you need. You can e-file, get tax forms, use interactive IRS tools, and get answers to tax questions at your convenience.

Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds remains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund. The IRS anticipates issuing more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days from the time returns are received.

All taxpayers should consider using IRS Free File, available at IRS.gov. Commercial partners of the IRS offer free, brand-name software to about 100 million individuals and families with incomes of $64,000 or less. Seventy percent of the nation’s taxpayers are eligible for the free software via IRS Free File.

All taxpayers, regardless of income, will again have access to free online fillable forms, which provide electronic versions of IRS paper forms to complete and file. This option is available through IRS.gov and is free.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offer free tax help to people who qualify. Go to IRS.gov and enter “free tax prep” in the search box to find a nearby VITA or TCE site.

Get federal tax forms and publications anytime. All IRS forms, instructions and publications are available on the IRS.gov website, which continues to be the best place to get the products you need. It's quick, easy, free and available 24/7. To view and download tax products, use the ‘Forms and Pubs’ tab on IRS.gov. You can often get tax products online six to eight weeks before paper products are available.

You can download and view popular tax publications and 1040 Instructions on mobile devices as an eBook at no charge. PDF and HTML versions are also available. The eBook format makes it much easier for you to navigate a publication, adjust the print size, and add comments or bookmarks on mobile devices. It also provides accessibility for users who are visually impaired. IRS eBooks are another way the IRS is making it convenient to access and use tax information. Visit www.irs.gov/formspubs/ebooks for a listing of all eBook publications.

The answers to your tax questions are ready when you are. Use the Tools link on IRS.gov for interactive forms, calculators and tools. Ask the Interactive Tax Assistant a tax question, and it provides you with a response, including questions about the health care law. You can also go to the Help &Resources section on IRS.gov for answers to frequently asked questions from taxpayers.

The IRS official smartphone app — IRS2Go — helps you check your refund status, make a payment with Direct Pay for free, and find free tax preparation assistance. You can use IRS2Go to access Where’s My Refund? to check the status of your refund online within 24 hours after we’ve received your e-filed return. IRS2Go is free.

A trusted tax professional can provide helpful information and advice about the ever-changing tax code. Tips for choosing a return preparer and details about national tax professional groups are also available on IRS.gov.