The New York Times is reporting that most taxpayers can get a tax credit of $30 to $60.

Sometime last year someone clued in Congress and let them know that Cuba was no longer occupied by the Spanish Empire and they couldn’t keep taxing us for The Spanish American War. The war was financed by a 3% tax on all long distance calls costing 15 cents or more and over charged Americans during the last three years.

To make up for it, Congress decided to drop the tax and refund the excess taxes collected over the last three years.

Because most people do not keep phone bills for four years, the I.R.S. devised a formula: anyone who made long-distance calls would be entitled to a predetermined amount of up to $60, which would be calculated on the 2006 tax returns.

The credit is easy to get. It is claimed on Line 71 of Form 1040, Line 42 on the 1040A or Line 9 on the 1040-EZ. The cryptic description on all three forms is: “Credit for federal telephone excise tax paid. Attach Form 8913 if required.”

It may be possible to collect more but you’ll be required to complete IRS Form 8913.

I’m not a CPA, so I’m not giving tax advice. Please consult a CPA or tax professional before taking any deductions you’re not sure about.

[tags]taxes, IRS, Spanish American War, telephone[/tags]