Federal tax questions usually start with the IRS. Visitors should use IRS.gov for current forms, refund status, payment plans, transcripts, withholding tools, taxpayer assistance, and notices. Tax information changes often, so a third-party summary should never replace the current official instruction.

Taxes are the largest source of federal revenue. Individual income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, excise taxes, customs duties, and other receipts help fund programs, agencies, benefits, interest on debt, grants, national defense, courts, public health, transportation, and other federal responsibilities.

People often need to file a return, check a refund, respond to a notice, replace a document, set up a payment plan, verify eligibility for a credit, report identity theft, or understand tax withholding. The right path depends on whether the issue is filing, payment, documentation, correction, fraud, or appeal.

Use official IRS pages before clicking email links, text-message links, or search ads. The IRS generally sends important notices by mail. Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed refunds, threatening immediate arrest, asking for gift cards, or requesting passwords and verification codes.