Like, Follow or Friend the IRS (Really)

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Image via Facebook

I suppose it’s unlikely most taxpayers will consider the IRS their friend, especially now that the IRS uses social media in its collection efforts! See?IRS Looks for Tax Deadbeats’ Facebook and Myspace Profiles.?Sure, you might want to be Facebook friends with?Justin Bieber,?Kim Kardashian or?Lady Gaga, but should you friend the IRS? Or follow the IRS on Twitter?

Probably, though I personally still hope carbon paper and IBM typewriters will make a comeback. Besides, it might seem that you want as little contact with the IRS as possible. Just getting snail mail from the IRS can be frightening.?See?Received An IRS Notice? 10 Simple Tips.

But you may want to?Think Different. After all, the IRS?has rolled out an updated smartphone app cleverly called: IRS2GO 2.0. See New IRS2Go Offers Three More Features. Announced in 2011, the first version IRS app had 350,000 downloads.

But the IRS expects a virtually viral reception this time. As IRS Commissioner Shulman says, “The new smartphone app provides an easy way for people to get helpful information about their taxes. IRS2GO reflects a wider commitment at the IRS to find innovative ways to serve taxpayers in a rapidly changing world.”

Image via javelinstrategy.com

The IRS smartphone app seems easy to use and has helpful content. Look for these?five channels of fun:

YouTube — The IRS’s videos have over 2.2 million hits on YouTube. See ‘Friending’ The IRS. The smartphone app includes links to many short YouTube videos with titles such as:

Tax Tips: Taxable and Non-Taxable Income;Tax Tips: When Will I Get My Refund;Healthcare: Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit;?andFree Help Preparing Your Tax Return.

News — The IRS frequently produces news releases. These news items may be viewed on iPhones and Android phones.

Get My Tax Record — By entering your Social Security Number and other identifying information, you can access to your personal tax records.

Get My Refund Status —?You can also?find out where your refund stands.

Follow?the IRS — Yup, you can follow the IRS on Twitter.

Will I use IRS2GO? Probably not this year, but I do use the IRS website all the time.?See Don’t Miss The IRS Website. If?I were more tech savvy and more mobile, I would use?IRS2GO. If you’re a smartphone user, check it out.

View the original article here