The Internal Revenue Service has released an expanded version of its smartphone application, IRS2Go, with a new YouTube video feature and additional tax help for taxpayers.
The new IRS2Go 2.0 app is available for both Apple and Android devices, and adds a new YouTube feature, news feed and tax transcript service, in addition to the earlier tools, such as checking on the status of a tax refund, in the original version of the app.
“The new smartphone app provides an easy way for people to get helpful information about their taxes,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman in a statement. “IRS2Go reflects a wider commitment at the IRS to find innovative ways to serve taxpayers in a rapidly changing world.”
The original version of IRS2Go, which the agency released last tax season, had more than 350,000 downloads. The app offers taxpayers several secure ways to access information and keep current on practical tax information.
The 2.0 version of IRS2Go includes a Watch Us tool that allows users to view IRS YouTube videos on their smartphones. The videos provide short, informative insights into various tax topics. The channel ranks as the fourth most viewed channel among more than 125 federal government YouTube channels. The IRS provides YouTube channels in several languages, including American Sign Language.
Users can also get the latest IRS news releases delivered to their phones as they become available with the new version of the app. In addition, taxpayers can now order their tax return transcripts from the IRS2Go app. The transcript will then be delivered via the U.S. Postal Service to their address of record.
The new version of the IRS2Go app also continues to provide several popular features that were available in the original version last year. Taxpayers can check on the status of their federal tax refunds via the app by providing a few basic pieces of information. An updated refund status is available approximately three days after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an e-filed return, or four weeks after taxpayers or their tax preparers mail a paper return to the IRS.
Phone app users can also enter their email address to automatically receive tips and reminders from the IRS to help with tax planning and preparation. The Tax Tips are issued daily during the filing season and periodically throughout the rest of the year.
Taxpayers can also sign up to follow the IRS Twitter newsfeed,
Apple users can update or download the free IRS2Go app by visiting the Apple App Store. Android users can visit the Android Marketplace to download the app.
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