IRS launches YouTube, iTunes sites

The Internal Revenue Service launched a YouTube video site and an iTunes podcast site filled with content designed to provide taxpayers with information about tax provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, IRS officials said.

The YouTube site includes how-to videos and tax tips related to the stimulus law, IRS officials said Aug. 21. The videos are in English, Spanish, American Sign Language and other languages, according to the IRS.

Topics covered in the videos include the $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s credit for those who purchase a house this year, the sales tax deduction on new car purchases, and the expanded credits for education and energy conservation.

Another video demonstrates how to use the IRS Withholding Calculator.

“People who have more than one job or working spouses should especially check their withholding to ensure neither too much nor too little is being withheld,” an IRS announcement states. “People can use the calculator to help determine if they should make adjustments.”

The IRS iTunes site includes a podcast about the recovery law tax credits. The same podcasts are available at IRS.gov’s multimedia center.