Don't File Taxes Online Unless You Want an Easier Process and a Faster Refund!

The internet has revolutionized so many aspects of our life. We shop, date, look for places to live, sell our stuff, take classes and even buy our prescription drugs online. We do this because it is faster, easier and more convenient for us.

The internet has also made filing our taxes easier and the process much less painful. People have been electronic filing, or e-filing for years and the IRS notes that over 700 million successful tax filings have already occurred. The technology is time tested, the security levels have been proven (no security breaches noted to date) and the rewards for those who e-file are well documented.

I am sure there are still some of you out there that, for one reason or another, still have not decided to e-file. Well, let me assure you, it's time for you to put down that pencil and calculator and realize what millions of satisfied Americans already know; e-filing is the way to go. In fact, a nationwide survey found that 88% of all people who have filed taxes online were happy that they e-filed.

Here are the primary reasons to e-file:

-Faster Tax Refunds - On average if you e-file, you will receive your refund in half the time compared to filing through the mail. In addition, if you opt in for direct deposit into your bank account, you will get it even faster. With e-filing you get your refund usually in 1-2 weeks. When you file via the post office you can get your refund usually in 3 to 6 weeks.


Improved Accuracy - The IRS notes a 20% error rate in paper filed returns. E-filing software greatly reduces your chances for errors. Most e-filing software automatically checks for accuracy. As you are filling out the forms, your math is constantly checked and if you forget to fill out a specific section, the software will not allow you to continue until all information is inputted correctly.


Tax Submittal is Verified - E-filing is free and when it is completed, you are given an electronic receipt code that verifies your submission. As we all know, filing via the post office requires you send certified mail (if you are smart) and you must endure the inconvenience of traveling to the post office, standing in line and dealing with the USPS staff.


Feedback - Within 48 hours you will get an electronic message if your return is acceptable or there are errors that need to be addressed. If there are errors you are allowed to fix them and re-submit without penalty. This option can take weeks if you file offline.


Less hassle - You can prepare and submit your taxes from your home. You do not need to leave your house to go to your tax preparer or go to the post office to stand in line.


Less Costly - The cost of e-filing yourself is substantially less than paying a tax preparation company. Online you pay anywhere from $9.95 to around $100 for more complicated filings. If you use a tax preparation company like H&R Block or a private accountant, it usually runs in the hundreds of dollars.

Please note, filing online still requires you to organize all your documents and paperwork. You will still, you need to have all your pertinent documents on hand so that you are able to answer all of the filing questions. But don't worry, most of the online tax preparation sites allow you to work on your tax filing for as long as you need. You are able to save changes as you go. Then, when you are ready to continue, you can go back to the site, log on using the user name and password you have chosen, finish your paperwork and e-file.

One of the more popular online tax filing websites out there is TaxBrain.com. Similar to their major competitors Turbotax and H&R Block, TaxBrain.com has a filing process that is user-friendly, accuracy is guaranteed, customer service and technical support is free, and they can file both state and federal taxes for you. I had a great experience using TaxBrain.com [http://www.bestonlinetaxprep.info] and highly recommend it.

Happy tax time and may all your filings end in refunds!

Troy AhYo is an entreprenuer and marketer based out of Woodland Hills, CA. He also buys and renovates properties and has a company that imports from China. He writes articles on topics he is passionate about. www.shouldyoubuythat.com [http://shouldyoubuythat.com]

A Simple Introduction To Filing Electronic Taxes

Nowadays, every department in the governmental or private sector boast a digital nervous system - as Bill Gates put it in his best seller Business at the Speed of Thought - through which it interfaces with the public, listen to the grievances and carries out or facilitates various services. Our current topic of discussion, is electronic tax filing, it makes use of the digital nervous system of the tax department, and in simple terms, it is the World Wide Web's way of filing your tax returns.

In a way, Internet has revolutionized the way people have access to information. It virtually eliminated the unending delay that used to associate with the process of getting services done from governmental bodies in a big way. In the present context, long gone are the days of unending queues and taxing paper works. The electronic filing has made the submission of tax returns a customer friendly exercise. Let us have a look from close quarters the advantages of electronic filing as opposed to the conventional way of filing returns and study what sizeable change it had made in the whole process.

· The first and foremost reform electronic filing had brought about is that it virtually eliminated the need for going through the exhaustive steps of filling the forms and rushing to the nearest post office to get it posted before the due date.

· Not only the paper work, electronic filing in fact has eliminated all sorts of physical movement required in completing the filing of returns. No more office hopping is required. The only thing you needs is a PC and a reliable Internet connection.

· In electronic filing, any mistake that has invariably crept in is corrected in less time. As every bit of data of the tax payer is available online, there is no wastage of time searching dossiers.

· Electronic filing has also reduced the time lag before receiving your tax refunds. Also, with the online submission, it is possible to take a printout of the filed return at the time of submission to keep it as record. No more requests or visiting offices for the same.

· Electronic filing facilitates payment by credit card.

Also, with electronic filing, the back office processing time has reduced by days. For example, even if the customer had waited till the last day before filing his/her returns, still it is possible to get the filing processed within hours of submission as opposed to the 10 odd day's delay that used to occur during the days of paper returns. As a result, as mentioned earlier, it has become possible to complete the refunds within a couple of weeks since filing.

Here is the process of filing returns by electronic means: The customer first should prepare his tax returns (by oneself or through a tax professional). Once the tax returns are in place, then the filing can be done through an IRS e-file provider. Filing can be done online as well, but if you are not sure about the technicalities, it is better to seek professional help. Generally most tax professionals will be licensed IRS e-file providers. Sign all relevant documents and get a customer copy as a record or for future reference. The IRS e-file provider will then file the returns electronically. Within 48 hours of filing the returns, the IRS will send the customer/IRS e-file provider an acknowledgement specifying the current status (acceptance or rejection as it may apply). If it is a rejection, remedial steps should be taken immediately.

As of now, if filing the returns online by oneself, the service as such is free. But if getting the job done through an IRS e-file provider, he/she may charge you a fee for offering you his/her expertise. As there is no solid rule of law in place governing the charging of fees for electronic filing of returns, the fees charged by different IRS e-file providers may vary and hence, from a customer point of view, it would be better to shop around and find out the cheapest deal possible before hiring one for your service.

Keisha Seaton is the owner of http://my-articles.com. To read moreTax Articles [http://www.my-articles.com/Category/Taxes/96] please visit [http://www.my-articles.com/Category/Taxes/96]