Welcome to How To File Taxes Online.
Filing Taxes Online Is Now Favored By Nearly 75% of All Americans
Today almost three-quarters of all Americans file their federal income taxes electronically using the Internal Revenue Service’s Web site, www.IRS.gov. Filing taxes via the Internet has to be deemed a fantastic success. Some 100 million people used the IRS online tax preparation software to pay taxes, while using the old paper forms is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
The IRS boasts that most people will get confirmation of their e-filing transaction within 48 hours. If you have a refund, you’ll get that back a lot faster too. The average length of time for getting a refund by the paper-and-mail system is at least 8 weeks. The IRS claims that some people will get their refund in just days using the e-file system, and if you have to wait more than three weeks, you can go to the IRS site and click the “Where’s My Refund” button to get an update. However, many people report waiting 4 to 6 weeks to get a refund via e-filing.
Even computer-phobic people report that e-filing is actually easier than doing taxes the old fashioned way. Part of the reason is that the tax software provided by the IRS makes entering in all your information a snap. The software leads you through the process.
Even so, a lot of people are still mystified by anything to do with computers or the Internet, especially many elderly folks. For these people, the IRS offers VITA, which stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and also TCE, which is Tax Counseling for the Elderly. These are real live people who will sit down with you and help you get your taxes done for free. To find a VITA or TCE service in your area, call 1-800-906-9887.
Of course, the simpler the tax return type, the easier it is. Those who earn $58,000 or less can make use of the free software, but more complex filings of higher earners – and those of businesses and organizations – will probably have to use software that must be purchased. The IRS Web site offers a number of recommendations for paid software programs to match your tax situation requirements.
If you run into problems while e-filing, the IRS maintains both online and live help called the e-help Desk. You can also call toll-free at 1-866-255-0654. If you live outside the United States call, 1-512-416-7750.
If you still are wary paying taxes by e-filing online, you can always hire a professional tax preparation service to do it for you. In fact, most such services will opt to e-file your taxes anyway, unless you request them to do it the old fashioned way.
A surprising number of people wonder how you perform that last, but vitally important task of getting taxes done: Signing the form. Well, you may not be surprised to know that there is a way to “e-sign” your form, and the IRS handles this by providing you with a unique PIN number. You will be prompted to create a PIN number when you e-file for the first time, and that will be the number you will use in subsequent years of e-filing.
Like it or not (and most prefer it) e-filing taxes is the best way to get your taxes done.
Related articles
- Where’s MyTaxRefund? (turbotax.intuit.com)
- TurboTax – E-file: Income Tax Return Electronic Filing (turbotax.intuit.com)
