Jim Rohn Best Life Ever 2 Of 4 – Should I E-file My Taxes Online

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Is e-filing really a much better way to file your taxes? 

Americans and the IRS may not agree on everything, but they’re largely on the same page when it comes to e-filing individual income tax returns.

The majority of individual income tax returns filed to the IRS are e-filed.  E-filing is a favorite as it’s a win-win for taxpayers and the IRS.

When you e-file your federal income tax return, you save the IRS money because its workers don’t have to spend time manually processing your return. And in return, you could get any refund you are owed faster, particularly if you have it directly deposited to your bank account.

However, what about security?  And can electronic filing really give you access to all of the forms that you might need if you’ve got a complex tax situation?  Are there ever situations when you can not e-file?  Let’s look at the advantages of e-filing, and whether it might be the very best filing option for your requirements.

If you’re thinking about e-filing, a Few of the advantages include:

  1. Quick affirmation your forms are received: The IRS will affirm a tax filing has been received within one day of electronic submission.  For paper filers, the IRS does not send any acknowledgment that your forms have arrived safely. 

  2. Timely refunds: When you publish a paper filing, it can take six to eight weeks to be given a tax refund.  With e-filing, you are going to receive your money in 3 weeks or less.  Choosing direct deposit can also accelerate the refund process.

  3. Reduced chance of mistakes: In accordance with the IRS, there is around a 1 percent error rate on e-filed returns, compared with a 20% rate of errors on paper filings.  The IRS also provides more info on issues discovered on e-filed yields compared with paper returns.

  4. Simple payment procedure: If you owe the IRS money, it’s simpler to cover at your convenience if you e-file.  It’s possible to submit returns early and pay later if necessary, as long as you pay from the April 15 filing deadline.  And you can schedule electronic money transfers to easily send the IRS what you owe on a date of your choosing — again, as long as the IRS receives your payment by Tax Day. You also have the choice to pay your balance by making use of the IRS Immediate pay service from the checking or savings account, submitting a credit card through a payment processor for a commission, or paying by check or money order. 

  5. Digital storage of tax data: Submitting returns electronically means there is a digital copy of your tax documents.  So if something happens to your paperwork, you will have a digital backup.

The good news: Most taxpayers do decide to e-file and get those benefits — and the process of doing this is easy.

How to e-file a tax return?

  • Free File Fillable Forms — If your income is more than $72,000 and you’re comfortable doing your earnings without help, you can use Free File Fillable Forms from the IRS. The types do the math for you and offer standard guidance.  You can only do your federal return with these kinds. 
  • Utilize an online tax preparation tax or service software: Tax preparation software and online filing services are options.  These options are an easy way to finish and e-file your own forms.  Some software suppliers charge for their apps, Some are liberated.   The program asks you simple questions about your life and finances to steer you through the completion of your forms.  
  • Get free, in-person tax help: In most states, you will find volunteers to help prepare and e-file returns.  But eligibility for free aid is normally restricted based on earnings, and some services appeal to specific demographic groups.  By way of example, Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs focus primarily on assisting filers who are 60 and older. 
  • Hire a paid preparer: Paid tax preparers, including CPAs, can e-file yields for you if they’re licensed IRS e-file providers. The IRS maintains a record of authorized providers, but you should be aware this alternative is likely to be the most costly one. 

    • Using online tax preparation software is far and away the favored approach of most taxpayers.  In fact, the IRS says it expected over four in five tax returns to be filed through tax return prep software.

    Is e-filing really stable?

    While e-filing is suitable, you could worry about safety — especially with all these data breaches.  But experts agree this isn’t a problem which should dissuade you from e-filing.

    “In actuality, it may be more secure than paper filing as you’re sending your personal information through an encrypted system rather than exposing your information in the email.”

    Dennis Chow, vice president of information security at SCIS Security, clarifies that the IRS has put security measures in place to keep your data secure.  “Trainers normally use IRS specific APIs that need ab sessions,” Chow says.  “All of this is routed over TLS encrypted connections.”

    It’s important to use a trusted service that will assist you file your taxes.  Chow advises not to e-file on a public computer or use an online connection that isn’t private.

    Bottom line

    For many taxpayers, it is sensible to e-file a return because it’s the most convenient way to submit your tax information to the IRS and it allows for timely refunds and effortless payment choices.  Just be certain that you use tax planning software from a dependable source, so you may ensure the information which you provide to transmit to the IRS is going to be kept protected.