Tony Robbins 10 10 10 – Is It Best To E-File My Taxes?

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

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

Nearly all individual income tax returns submitted to the IRS are e-filed. 

And in return, you can get any refund you are owed faster, particularly in the event that you have it directly deposited into your bank accounts.

But what about security?  And can digital filing actually give you access to all the forms that you might need in case you’ve got a intricate tax situation?  Are there situations when you can not e-file?  Let’s look at the benefits of e-filing, and if it might be the very best filing option for your requirements.

If you are thinking about e-filing, some of the advantages include:

  1. Quick confirmation your forms are obtained: The IRS will confirm a tax filing was received within 24 hours of electronic submission.  For paper filers, the IRS doesn’t send any acknowledgment that your forms have arrived safely. 

    Timely refunds: When you publish a paper filing, it can take six to eight months to receive a tax refund.  With e-filing, you are going to get your money in three weeks or not.  Choosing direct deposit can also speed up the refund process.

  2. Reduced chance of errors: In accordance with the IRS, there’s approximately a 1% error rate on e-filed returns, compared with a 20% rate of errors on paper filings.  The IRS also provides more information on issues discovered on e-filed yields compared with paper yields.

  3. Simple payment procedure: If you owe the IRS money, it’s easier to pay at your advantage when 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, provided that the IRS receives your payment by Tax Day. Additionally you have the choice to pay your balance by making use of the IRS Direct pay service from your checking or savings accounts, submitting a credit card through a payment processor for a fee, or paying by check or money order.  Just be aware delaying payment after the filing due date (typically April 15) can lead to penalties and interest.

  4. Digital storage of tax data: Submitting returns electronically means there’s a digital copy of your tax documents.  If something happens to your paperwork, then you will have an electronic backup.

The good news: Most taxpayers do decide to e-file and find those benefits — and the practice of doing so is simple.

How to e-file a tax return?

You have four choices for submitting an electronically filed tax return to the IRS.

  • Free File Fillable Types — If your income is over $72,000 and you’re comfortable doing your taxes without any assistance, you can use Free File Fillable Forms from the IRS. The types do the math for you and offer standard guidance.  You can simply do your federal return with these forms. 
  • Use an online tax preparation tax or service software: Tax preparation software and online filing services are alternatives.  These options are an easy way to finish and e-file your forms.  Some applications providers charge for their apps, Some are liberated.   The program asks you simple questions about your own life and financing to steer you through the completion of your types.  
  • Get complimentary, in-person tax help: In most states, you can find volunteers to help prepare and e-file returns.  But eligibility for free help is normally restricted based on income, and a few providers cater to specific demographic groups. 
  • Hire a paid preparer: Paid tax preparers, such as CPAs, can e-file yields for you if they are licensed IRS e-file providers. The IRS maintains a database of authorized providers, but 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 the majority of taxpayers.  Actually, the IRS says it expected more than four in five tax returns to be filed through tax return prep software.

    Is e-filing really secure?

    While e-filing is suitable, you could be worried about safety — particularly with all these data breaches.  But experts agree that this isn’t a problem that should deter you by e-filing.

    “E-filing a tax return has turned out to be a very secure way to file your taxes,” states Scott Grissom, vice president of product direction, marketing and sales at LegalShield. “In fact, it may be more secure than paper filing since you’re sending your personal information through an encrypted system as opposed to exposing your information in the email.”

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

    It is very important to employ a trusted service that will help you record your taxes.  Chow advises to not e-file on a computer or use an internet connection which isn’t confidential.

    Bottom line

    For many taxpayers, it makes sense to e-file a yield since it’s the most convenient way to file your tax information to the IRS and it allows for timely refunds and effortless payment choices.  Just be certain to use tax planning software from a trusted source, so you may make certain the information you provide to transmit to the IRS will be kept secure.