We have some major expenses that we all seem to have. Housing, of course. And transportation. Then there are all those things that children need, like clothes and toys.
Another expense that’s pretty much universal in western society is that of paying taxes. We want to be sure that our money gets there, and that we get credited with having paid it.
This 21st century is an electronic age. Tax preparers all over America are using the internet to send tax returns for people of any income.
For people with no more than two children and no more than two providers who made less than $57,000, filing federal income taxes online is fast, free, and fearless thanks to the Free File Alliance LLC, an assembly of private tax software companies. They provide e-filing that does the math for you; checking and rechecking accuracy, after recording your answers to consecutively generated questions. All the forms and publications you require are right at your fingertips. The newest changes to the law are readily available. If you prefer to do it yourself and you made over $57,000, there is a website for you also.
Several services are available online to help you organize and prepare your tax forms on your own PC. Most people use IRS e-file. Why pay an accountant to do it? They will e-file for you and charge you a fee that looks like they are being paid to hand write those forms and carry them to Washington on foot. E-filing at completion is just a matter of pushing one key. You can quickly and safely send your return over the internet and immediately receive the proof that the IRS has received the tax return. With luck, you can expect an early return if you are getting a refund.
Knowing that our taxes have been filed securely, that they haven’t been lost, and that Uncle Sam won’t be coming after us can be a great relief and boost our feelings of wellness.