• There are a number of FAQs about filing taxestax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  Of the two certainties in life--death and taxes--the former is usually less pleasant, but the latter is almost always more complicated. There are a number of common questions that often crop up when it comes to filing taxes, both related to how the forms are filled out and how the returns are processed.
  
  

When Do I Have To File?

• According to the Internal Revenue Service, the agency responsible for collecting federal taxes, federal tax returns for individuals, corporations and partnerships are due on April 15 of each year. If the day falls on a weekend, the taxes must be mailed by the following Monday. However, for those filing quarterly estimated federal income tax payments, payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. The dates on which annual state and local taxes are due vary, but are generally close to the dates of federal tax payments.
  
  

Where Can I Get Tax Forms?

• A number of different tax forms are used in the course of filing returns. These include forms outlining the income received, as well as a plethora of special forms that detail items such as deductions, exemptions and supplemental payments. All tax forms related to the filing of federal taxes are available online at www.irs.gov. Generally, state tax forms are also available online, usually on the Secretary of State's website. However, while some city and county tax forms are available online, in some areas they must be picked up from a local municipal building.
  
  

Can I File Online?

• It depends. Under its e-file program, the IRS allows individuals and companies with less than $57,000 of adjusted gross income to prepare and file their taxes online. A number of other private companies, such as Tax Act, also offer a similar service for local, state and federal taxes. However, while some states like New York allow individuals to file their taxes entirely online, others place restrictions on online filing. In Michigan, for example, those who file online are also required to physically mail in a separate signed document attesting to the fact that they filed online. Many local governments also do not accept online tax returns.
  
  

When Will I Get My Refund?

• According to the financial website Next Advisor, the quickest way of receiving your federal return is by filing online and allowing the government to issue your refund via direct deposit. In this case, you should receive your return within two weeks. For those filing online and wishing to receive it through the mail, the refund should arrive within four weeks. Those using physical mail should expect to wait six weeks from the date the IRS receives the return. The refund times for state and local taxes vary considerably.