Warren Buffett Contact – What to Consider When Filing My Taxes Online

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Is e-filing 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.

Nearly all individual income tax returns submitted to the IRS are e-filed.  E-filing is a favorite as it is a win-win for taxpayers and the IRS.

In return, you can find any refund you’re owed quicker, especially in the event that you have it directly deposited into your bank accounts.

However, what about security?  And can digital filing really give you access to all of the forms that you may need if you have a intricate tax situation?  Are there situations when you can’t e-file?  Let us look at the benefits of e-filing, and whether it may be the best filing choice for your needs.

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

  1. Quick confirmation your forms have been obtained: The IRS will confirm a tax filing was received within one day of electronic submission.  For paper filers, the IRS does not send any acknowledgment that your forms have arrived . 

  2. Timely refunds: When you submit a paper filing, it can take six to eight weeks to receive a tax refund.  With e-filing, you’ll receive your money in three weeks or less.  Choosing direct deposit can also speed up the refund procedure.

  3. Reduced likelihood of errors: In accordance with the IRS, there’s approximately a 1 percent error rate on e-filed yields, compared with a 20% speed of errors on paper filings.  The IRS also provides more info on problems discovered on e-filed returns compared with paper returns.

  4. Simple payment procedure: If you owe the IRS money, it is simpler to cover at your advantage when you e-file.  It’s possible to submit returns early and pay later if necessary, provided that you pay from the April 15 filing deadline.  And you can schedule electronic money transfers to 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 Direct pay service from your 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 taxation data: Submitting returns electronically implies there is an electronic backup of your tax documents.  If something happens to your paperwork, then you’ll have a digital backup.

The good news: Most taxpayers do decide to e-file and find those advantages — and the process of doing so is easy.

  • Free File Fillable Types — If your income is over $72,000 and you’re comfortable doing your earnings without any assistance, you can use Free File Fillable Forms from the IRS. The types do the math for you and offer basic guidance.  You can only do your federal return with these forms. 
  • 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 complete and e-file your forms.  Some software suppliers charge for their apps, Some are free.   The program asks you simple questions about your life and financing to steer you through the completion of your forms.  
  • Get free, in-person tax help: In most states, you can find volunteers to help prepare and e-file yields.  However, eligibility for free help is normally restricted based on income, and a few providers cater to specific demographic groups.  By way of example, Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs focus primarily on assisting filers that are 60 and older.  The IRS maintains a database of authorized providers, but you should be aware this option 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.  In fact, the IRS says it expected over four in five tax returns to be filed through tax return prep program.

    Is e-filing really secure?

    While e-filing is convenient, you may be worried about security — especially with all these data breaches.  But experts agree this isn’t an issue 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 leadership, marketing and sales at LegalShield. “In fact, it may be more secure than paper filing as you’re sending your private information through an encrypted network rather than exposing your information in the email.”

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

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

    Bottom line

    For most 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 preparation software from a dependable source, so that you may make certain the information which you supply to transmit to the IRS will be kept secure.