One type of financing private lenders provide is personal loans. Personal loans may include auto loans,real estate purchase, education, medical, acquisition of a business, debt consolidation, vacation, furniture, starting or expanding an e- business, etc.

The next question is: how can you get a personal loan from private lenders? There are two primary methods. The one I will discuss here involves three simple easy steps:

1. You locate a private lender who makes type of personal loans you need.

2. When you locate your private lender; ask for details of their loans or 'lending parameters'.

3. Complete paperwork following guidelines of particular private lender. Be sure you type document and send them in to your lender for approval. That's it!

A word of CAUTION here. You may be tempted to pay upfront fees to these lenders in order to obtain loan. DON'T! Never, ever pay any upfront fees to any lender until your loan is in your pocket.

The final question is: where do you find these private lenders? Look for them in 'Money Available' pages of your local large-city newspaper, particularly Sunday issues, in magazines serving your business, in trade group publications, and in other special journals.

There are also firms that have been publishing names and addresses of private lenders and investors in specialized publications over past twenty years. You can search them out in your local or business public library. You should breeze through this process now that you know how and where.

Comparisons Most of online sites allow you varying levels of use so that you can actually key in your return information to see how you like program. With turbotax.com and hrblock.com, you only have to pay when you print out your return or e-file it. 2nd Story Software lets you prepare and print out your federal return for free but can only let you file state returns in 24 states.

For analysis of best tax software available, here are links to two excellent articles prepared on subject.

One by ZDNet says ZDNet Reviews pick is H&R Block's TaxCut Deluxe 2001, which snagged Editors' Choice award. The other article is by MSNMoney:

http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2841716,00.html

http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles ax/basics/8806.asp

If you are interested in more comparison shopping, http://www.epinions.com also provides ratings of tax preparation systems by individuals.

And another good article comparing tax software packages can be found at http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi axes/2002/02-22-tax-prep-software.htm

CANADA In Canada, there are two electronic methods that individuals can use to send their personal income tax and benefit returns. With EFILE, you use services of any registered EFILE service provider. With NETFILE, you send your return directly to government over Internet. Last year, more than 1.4 million tax returns were received through NETFILE service.

EFILE is an automated system that lets registered electronic filing service providers send individual income tax return information electronically. Using software and a computer, individuals can prepare and save their return on a disc and take it and their documents to an EFILE service provider for transmission. Also, clients can take their documents to a tax preparation service provider who can prepare their electronic return and send it using EFILE.

Netfile http://www.netfile.gc.ca lets Canadians file their personal income tax and benefit return directly using Internet. Income tax returns must be prepared using software that has been certified for NETFILE use.

From "former About Guides", here is a listing of tax software available for Canadianshttp://www.formeraboutguides.com/investingcanada axsoftware.htm

Ensure prior to using these products that you see a confirmation on their site that they have received official certification from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA).

For a list of currently certified software, visit CCRA at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/eservices ax/business/efile/menu-e.html#efilesoftware They do note that additional providers will be added to this list as they are approved.

Two of major players in Canada are QuickTax www.quickenstore.ca and Taxwiz http://www.taxwiz.ca

Here is a link to an excellent Globe and Mail article detailing cost comparisons between these two dominant tax software competitors in Canada. http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/WireFeedRedirect?cf=GlobeInvestor axzone axzone_config&date=20020117&archive=taxzone&slug=RCARI SITE PICKS

Tax Assistance from EY Ernst and Young's site has excellent tax tools, tips and calculators. http://www.ey.com

Use pull down menu at http://www.ey.com to choose your country or visit some of links I've chosen from this site below.

Canada - Tax Calculators http://www.ey.com/GLOBAL/gcr.nsf/Canada/Tax_welcome_Calculators http://www.hrblock.ca - H&R Block has over one thousand offices across Canada, and now help is available online as this site provides Canadians with calculator tools, news on tax changes, tips and a section of FAQ.

US Tax Planning Tips http://www.ey.com/global/gcr.nsf/US/Tax_Planning_Tips_2002_-_Ernst_&_Young_LLP

http://www.taxplanet.com - TaxPlanet.com bills itself as "All Things Tax for Individuals" and can claim numerous awards including Forbes Best of Web, Yahoo Internet Life: 100 Best Sites for 2002 (Best Tax Advice) and Money Magazine "Best Tax Site". Tips, tools, new legislation, tax news and guides - it has something for everyone.

And finally, here is an excellent article from USA Today with a comparative price chart for tax software. http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi axes/2002/02-15-efiling.htm

* * * * * * * * * *

Jim Slobodzian, BComm (Hon) is and investment promotion consultant and publishes the Enroute.ca E-MONEY GUIDE providing weekly news and tips for consumers using money online.