As tax time approaches, many people start to feel a sense of stress and urgency. You may see constant ads about filing your taxes, which can increase anxiety as deadlines approach. Some people choose to use a tax filing service, which can work well for those who have a lot of tax documents involved in the process. However, the average person can usually save money, and time, by filing taxes themselves.
Prepare ahead
When filing your taxes, it’s best to have all your documents ready before you start. If you’re using an online filing service, they are usually very helpful with information to let you know what you need. If you’ve never filed your own taxes before, it can be intimidating. The tax service may use terms that you’re unfamiliar with, but once you get started, the process is usually quite simple. Plus, most online tax preparation programs have a live chat option so you can ask questions as you go, and they offer useful tips along the way to help you complete the process.
Choose the right service
There are several options you have when it comes to choosing how to prepare your taxes. Online tax preparation services often offer discounts to repeat customers, plus they usually keep your basic information on file from year to year so you can save time. Some community organizations will help you file your tax returns for free. Just be aware that if you have certain types of additional forms beyond the basic tax returns, there may be added fees. If you have a lot of different forms for your business, you itemize deductions or you have several income sources, it may be best to use an experienced tax preparation service.
It’s understandable to be anxious when it comes to dealing with government-related paperwork. After all, no one wants to deal with an audit or have an error on their tax return that may take a long time to correct. But if you prepare ahead with the forms you need and you take your time to understand the online system, you can file your tax returns on your own. If you prefer to let someone else do the work, you can choose one of the many free services or use a professional tax preparation service. Whichever option you choose, it’s always a good idea to get your taxes filed sooner rather than later, so you’re not rushing to beat the deadline.