| Its that time of year for every American who | | | | you. What that rate is I don't know but TurboTax |
| has tax owed to them. That's right, it's tax | | | | and TaxAct both equally allow you to eFile your |
| season and soon everyone will begin receiving | | | | FEDERAL taxes for FREE! State eFiling cost's a |
| their W2s from their employers. Once they | | | | little bit to do but usually doesn't cost that much. |
| receive this, its a matter of time of receiving their | | | | TaxAct charges around $13.95 for each state |
| tax return. But what should you do when it | | | | filing. |
| comes time to figuring out what method to file | | | | 5) Get Help from Professionals - Some tax |
| your taxes? | | | | software allows you to receive professional help. |
| The answer... eFiling...eFiling is the wave of the | | | | Although its supposed to be an automated |
| future. For a few reasons which I have listed | | | | step-by-step process to completing your IRS tax |
| below: | | | | forms, some people get stuck. Therefore, help is |
| 1) Save the Tree's - Some wouldn't really care | | | | always offered to those who PURCHASE the tax |
| about this small little detail but they should. eFiling | | | | software. TaxCut offers help from any H&R |
| saves tree's which of course produce oxygen. If | | | | Block branch which is good. If you get stuck you |
| you think about it, with the global warming issue | | | | can always call them up for assistance. |
| we need as much tree's as possible to cleanse | | | | So the bottom line is that when it comes time to |
| the air. | | | | file your taxes, the advantages of eFiling highly |
| 2) Faster Returns - I am no professional tax | | | | outweigh the option of filing on paper. There are |
| preparer so I can't say how fast paper filing | | | | so many more reason's why you should eFile but |
| returns, but its a well known fact that eFiling | | | | I figured the 5 items listed above should be |
| generally reports a 2 weeks or less return | | | | enough to make you think twice. |
| timeframe. And you can have your money | | | | Keep in mind the 5 reasons I listed and how much |
| deposited into your bank account which saves | | | | more effective eFiling is compared to filing on |
| having to find a place (or bank) to cash your | | | | paper. I'd recommend anyone looking to purchase |
| return check. | | | | tax software to purchase it directly from the |
| 3) Accuracy Checks - Some computer software | | | | website and download it. That to saves you from |
| like TurboTax, TaxCut and TaxAct apparently | | | | having to run out to your local electronics store |
| have mechanisms to check the accuracy of your | | | | and picking it up, BUT, only if you have broadband |
| tax return forms. This is usually good to keep | | | | internet access. That's because a majority of the |
| from reporting bad information to the IRS that | | | | tax preparation software are LARGE files (we're |
| could cost you. Even if TaxAct does clearly state | | | | talking 5MB and above.) If you have dial-up, your |
| they will pay any penalty fee's for any accuracy | | | | best bet is to go to your local store and pick up a |
| issues. | | | | copy of TurbTax, TaxCut or TaxAct. |
| 4) Save Money - Once again, please note, I am | | | | If your not willing to spend any money, you can |
| NOT a professional so the following fact isn't | | | | always opt-in to complete an incentive website in |
| guaranteed. Companies like Jackson Hewitt, H&R | | | | order to receive a copy of TurboTax. |
| Block, etc. usually charge to file your taxes for | | | | |