What Did Warren Buffett Invest In – What to Consider When Filing My Taxes Online

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

Americans and the IRS might not agree about everything, but they are mostly on precisely the exact same page in regards to e-filing individual income tax returns.

The majority of individual income tax returns filed to the IRS are e-filed. 

If you e-file your federal income tax return, you conserve the IRS money because its workers do not need to spend time manually processing your return. In return, you can find any refund you are owed quicker, especially in the event that you have it directly deposited to your bank account.

However, what about security?  And can digital filing actually provide you access to all the forms that you might need if you have a complex tax situation?  Are there ever situations when you can’t e-file?  Let’s look at the benefits of e-filing, and whether it might be the best filing option for your requirements.

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

1. Quick confirmation your forms have been received: The IRS will affirm a tax filing was received within 24 hours of digital submission.  For paper filers, the IRS does not send any acknowledgment your forms have arrived . 

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

2. Reduced chance of mistakes: According to the IRS, there’s around a 1% error rate on e-filed yields, compared with a 20% rate of errors on paper filings.  The IRS also provides more info on problems discovered on e-filed yields compared with paper returns.

3. Simple payment process: If you owe the IRS money, it’s easier to cover at your convenience when you e-file.  It’s possible to submit returns early and pay later if needed, 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 Direct pay service from the checking or savings accounts, submitting a credit card through a payment processor for a commission, or paying by check or money order. 

4. Digital storage of taxation information: Submitting returns electronically implies there’s an electronic backup of your tax documents.  If something happens to your paperwork, then you will 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 simple.

Free File Fillable Forms — If your income is more than $72,000 and you are comfortable doing your taxes without assistance, you can use Free File Fillable Forms from the IRS. The types do the math for you and provide standard guidance.  You can simply do your federal return with these forms. 

Utilize an online tax preparation tax or service applications: Tax preparation software and online filing services are options.  These options are an easy way to finish and e-file your own forms.  Some applications providers charge for their apps, Some are free.   The program asks you simple questions about your life and finances to guide you through the completion of your forms.  

Get complimentary, in-person tax aid: 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 particular demographic groups.  For instance, Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs focus primarily on assisting filers that are 60 and older. 

Hire a paid preparer: Paid tax preparers, such as CPAs, can e-file yields for you if they’re licensed IRS e-file providers. The IRS maintains a database of licensed providers, but you should be aware this option is very 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 tax returns to be filed through tax return prep software.

Is e-filing really stable?

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

“In fact, it may be more secure than paper filing as you’re sending your private information through an encrypted system as opposed to exposing your data in the mail.”

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

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

Bottom line

For most taxpayers, it is sensible to e-file a yield since it is the most convenient way to submit your tax information to the IRS and it allows for timely refunds and effortless payment options.  Just be sure to use tax planning software from a dependable source, so you can ensure the information you supply to transmit to the IRS is going to be kept protected.