Important Changes

Paid preparer authorization. Beginning with your return for 2000, you can check a box and authorize the IRS to discuss your tax return with the paid preparer who signed it. If you check the "Yes" box in the signature area of your return, the IRS can call your paid preparer to answer any questions that may arise during the processing of your return. Also, you are authorizing your paid preparer to perform certain actions. See your income tax package for details.

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843- 5678) if you recognize a child.

Important Reminders

Personal interest. Personal interest is not deductible. Examples of personal interest include interest on a loan to purchase an automobile for personal use and credit card and installment interest incurred for personal expenses.

But you may be able to deduct interest you pay on a qualified student loan. For details, see Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education.

Limit on itemized deductions. Certain itemized deductions (including home mortgage interest) are limited if your adjusted gross income is more than $128,950 ($64,475 if you are married filing separately). For more information, see the instructions for Schedule A (Form 1040).

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