Time to Think About Tax Help

We’re smack in the middle of tax season again.  Many people fill out the short form, mail it in, and are done with it.  Good for you.  Lots of us have more complicated financial lives.  In many cases, those complications will be handled by a hired tax professional.  But some people really like to do their own taxes.  For you, there’s plenty of help online.

When you’re ready to file your federal taxes, you can do it online.  The IRS wants more taxpayers to file electronically, so it has teamed up with tax preparation software companies such as TaxCut, TaxAct, and TurboTax.

Together, they offer free e-filing services.  You must meet certain requirements to qualify for free filing.

First, your adjusted gross income must be $54,000 or less.  There are also age and residency requirements, and other criteria may apply.

Start at www.IRS.gov.  Type this address in your browser.  It is the only way to ensure you’ll go to the IRS’s official site.

Once there, you’ll get help choosing software that suits your needs.  Then, you’ll be directed to the software company’s site.

The software walks you through doing your taxes.  Forget about finding the correct forms.  All you need are your financial papers.  The software performs the calculations for you.  So you’re less likely to make math mistakes.

Don’t qualify for free filing?  You can still find tax filing software at the IRS’s site.  You just have to pay for it, along with e-filing fees.

Don’t forget your state taxes!  You may be able to file those with your federal taxes.  Some companies offer free state filing.  But, in many cases, you’ll be charged to file your state return.

Make sure your computer’s security software is current before preparing your taxes and scan your computer for spyware and other threats.

Remember, criminals love tax season.  Watch for phony e-mail messages purporting to come from the IRS.  Just delete the messages.  Don’t click links or call numbers in e-mail.  The IRS will never contact you via e-mail.

Finally, if your taxes are complicated, consult an expert.  Paying for professional help is better than facing an audit!