Filing Taxes Online

Around four years ago I decided that I was going to try to do my taxes on line. I have always done them for the entire family and friends and I used to do them all by hand. I keep hearing about software that you could download onto your computer that would run your tax forms for you, so I decided I would give it a try.
I bought the Turbo Tax and installed the disc into the computer and was amazed that it had all the information that I needed. I would enter the information just as if I were doing it longhand, the only thing that they wanted that I never had to provide before was the adjusted gross income from the previous year. Dig out your last years returns before you even attempt to do your taxes on line.

Assure that all your documents are there, medical bills, 1099R's , interest statements from your bank, if you were unemployed at all during the year you would have received a 1099 G, also all of your mortgage interest statements, and your W'2's. You need all the stuff that you would normally take to a tax consultant in order to do your own taxes. I would suggest that you keep all the forms, receipts etc for at least five years, put them in a fire proof box and keep them safe, because you will need them. If you want your money returned in a very short time you should have a valid checking or savings account number, you will need the routing number and the account number. All the on line efile services give you guidance on how to locate these numbers. If you don't have a checking or savings account you can still do your taxes on line but your check will take the normal six weeks to be processed back to you.

Once you sit down at the computer, no matter which program you choose, there are quite a few that are on the IRS site that you can pick from, assure that you have all your documents so that you can enter the information as it is asked. the systems are designed to walk you through, they ask questions and if the situation pertains to you then you provide the information, donations, college tuition, business expenses, casualties and losses, business losses or profits the whole gambit that life throws at you you can answer.

It doesn't take long to get your taxes done, I did my taxes last Saturday, got my state return back on Wednesday, will have my Federal return deposited in my account next Friday. I file my state taxes for free I had to pay to file my Federal taxes because I was over the $50K adjusted gross income level. But it is easy and I have all the confidence that once you do the first one you will be a breeze the following years. Good luck.