• Simplify your tax preparations by finding answers to tax questions.tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  During tax season many Americans stumble upon a number of questions and concerns while attempting to prepare their taxes. If you're not an accountant, understanding the rules, regulations and terminology of tax preparation can be confusing. You can seek the advice of professional tax preparers and accountants, but knowing a few answers to tax questions ahead of time can help make the process easier.
  
  

What Happens if I Didn't File Last Year?

• If you have not filed last year's return and you owe taxes for the previous year, it is likely that you will be required to pay penalty fees. Typically when there is money owed, both a "failure to file" and a "failure to pay" fee will be assessed with all due interest. If you were owed a refund last year, no penalties will be issued and you will have up to three years to file and claim your refund.
  
  

Do I Have to File As "Married?"

• If you were married on or before the last day of the calendar year, you must file as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately." There are only a few exceptions to this requirement. If you have filed for divorce, your spouse no longer lives with you or you are legally separated with a decree of separate maintenance, some states may allow you to file as "single." Married taxpayers may be allowed to file as "head of household" if they have paid more than half of the home maintenance for the tax year, the spouse was absent from the home for the later half of the year, or they are eligible to claim any exemptions for biological, step or foster children living in the home for at least six months of the tax year.
  
  

What Are the Age Limits for Dependent Children?

• If your child has lived with you for at least six months of the year and is under 19 at the end of the calendar year, you may claim her as a dependent. Children over 19 and under 24 who are full-time students can also be claimed as dependents. If your child is disabled and resides in your home six months per year or more, you may claim him as a dependent.
  
  

What is a Split Refund?

• A split refund allows you to allocate specific amounts of your tax refund into separate bank accounts. You may divide your cash refund in up to three portions in amounts of your choice and have them deposited in up to three U.S. financial institutions.
  
  

Am I Eligible for a Refund if I'm Still Paying Last Year's Taxes?

• If you have entered into a payment plan with the IRS to pay past-due taxes for a prior year but are owed a refund during the current tax year, all past-due monies will be deducted from your refund. The amounts deducted will be applied to your past-due balances. This is called an "offset." If your refund exceeds the amount you owe, you will receive the balance. If it does not pay off your debt you will be required to continue making scheduled payments until your obligation has been fulfilled.