Taxes are so complicated that it has become a year-round job just to keep up. Everything you do throughout the year has an impact on your taxes. Did you get married? Did you buy/sell a home? Did you have children? Did you change jobs? Did you put any money into a retirement account? Did you donate to charity? And onand onand on.
Thousands and thousands of laws for Federal filing alone, but in fact State tax codes are often even more cumbersome, and everyone wants to get your business. Tax preparation has become a multi-billion dollar a year business in this country. You have to get all the paperwork together and spend several hours of your time in an office just to pay someone else $100 to $300.
Luckily, technology has caught on and can save you both time and money. New online and downloadable software has become so advanced that anyone can use it. Yes, ANYONE.
BENEFITS OF DO IT YOURSELF TAX SOFTWARE
Fast, easy and accurate
Do it from the comfort of your own home
Offers many different options
Very user friendly
Costs 50% to 90% less than going to a local preparer
Most are guaranteed
HOW TO USE TAX SOFTWARE
Gather up all of the paperwork you would normally bring to a professional
o W-2 (from employer)
o 1099 (shows interest)
o Receipts for charitable contributions
o Doctors receipts
o Etc.
Find a reputable company
Purchase the software (you will have the option of doing it online or downloading software)
Follow the easy step-by-step instructions
Mail-in or e-file your forms
You are probably thinking its too good to be true, but its not. Its actually quit brilliant. The biggest expense for tax preparation companies is overhead (office, office supplies, desks, computers, etc.) and labor. By giving you the power to do your own taxes these companies have virtually cut their costs up to 80% and are passing the savings on to you. Go to to learn more.