The main reason I began to use tax preparation software a number of years ago was "comfort" - I still did my own taxes but wanted to be sure I wasn't missing out on any potential deductions or savings. Using electronic tax preparation gave me this comfort level and assurance by "holding my hand" through
process, giving me "alerts" that can guide me through process and let me take advantage of any and all new changes that may help me.Obviously many people are becoming more comfortable as electronic tax preparation and filing has been growing rapidly. Both number of people "e-filing" and services available (sometimes for free) to file your taxes directly online are growing. This year IRS has estimated it will receive approximately one third of its individual returns electronically (45 million).
In this report I will explore some of basic advantages to filing online, leading software packages and internet filing systems available, some ratings/rankings and more links should you wish to get more information.
Benefits The advantages of using tax software for your return and filing online are numerous:
* Fast Refunds - Most refunds are issued within days of acknowledgment
* Direct Electronic Deposit or Payment - Electronic deposit or payment is available
* Acknowledgment of Returns- Receipt of returns are confirmed using an electronic acknowledgment system.
* Fewer errors - Electronically filed tax returns are received virtually error-free, and this is welcome news considering all of complex changes from year to year. (Statistics (US) show 12% of all paper returns have some sort of error.) You also have to consider that when you send a "paper" return, your information also has to be keyed in by government which increases chance for error through a "key-in" mistake.
* Easy to use - tax software and web sites let you prepare and file electronically are getting better and easier to use all time. They "hold your hand" through process, giving you "alerts" that can guide you through process and let you take advantage of any new changes that may help you.
* Convenience- The federal/State Program is a "one stop shop" tax filing. E-file allows taxpayers to file both their federal and state tax returns in one transmission.
How To: You can either use a software package or a web site to prepare your return and submit it online. The third option is to use a tax preparer that will prepare your taxes and file them electronically for you. Below are leading software packages and more information links for both US and Canada.
United States of America The cost of preparing your taxes and filing electronically varies dramatically according to complexity of programs you choose. For example there are free internet programs available, or products that range from between $15 to $80. This link identifies a list of partnership companies with IRS that include free internet filing opportunities http://www.irs.gov./efile/display/0,,i1%3D51%26genericId% 3D15025,00.html
When it is time to pay your Federal taxes they can now be paid through a new Electronic Federal Tax Payment System web site. www.officialpayments.com
Visit IRS web site http://www.irs.gov for helpful information on e-filing. The IRS also allows you to search for official e-file preparer near you by zip code.
Packages Available: Some of most popular products available are listed below. These companies also have a tax web site that you can access, and in most cases are also selling more complex "deluxe" versions.
Intuit's TurboTax http://www.turbotax.com H&R Block's TaxCut http://www.hrblock.com 2nd Story Software's TaxAct http://www.completetax.com
Once you have prepared your return, you can either print it out and send it in by mail, or you can send it online to IRS. Most state returns can also be submitted online although some have not put in place technology to receive electronic returns yet (Florida, New Hampshire, Tennessee). One other point to consider when deciding whether you should you use an internet service or a tax software system on your hard drive is storage of your return. Myself personally, I prefer more control and want to save my return stored on my hard drive and not by a third party online.
TurboTax is available at Yahoo tax center http:/ axes.yahoo.com where a wealth of tax information lets you obtain relevant tax forms as well as prepare and file tax returns online. The Tax Center site combines content, calculators, forms, preparation and filing services. The site says "Try it for free and pay only when you print or file." A federal return costs $29,95; state returns are $12.95. TurboTax for Web asks you to answer a series of easy-to-understand questions and then automatically completes required IRS tax forms and double checks for errors and missed deductions.
