Online
There are a few benefits to filing taxes online. The process is obviously faster than filing taxes on paper and mailing them in. Once you fill out all the information, you can submit your taxes directly to the state and federal government online. A second benefit is that online programs are especially intuitive: If you put in the wrong information or miss a section, the program you use automatically flags this so you can make the correction before submitting. A third benefit is that many online programs also have special prompts to that as you file you don't miss any opportunities to account for any potential deductions you may have.
Some places where you can file taxes online are:
In-person
By having a tax professional file your tax return at a business you have the added benefit of working with an expert who can answer your questions in person and make sure you are not only filing your taxes correctly, but also accounting for any and all deductions you may be eligible for. While there is a fee, many companies guarantee accuracy with your tax return and offer to pay any difference if your taxes are filled out incorrectly or if you are audited.
Some companies you can file your tax return with in-person are:
- H&R Block – tax professionals will work with you to fill out your tax return. They guarantee their work and are available any time to answer questions or help with problems that arise. http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/products/64.html
- Jackson Hewitt – offers in-office products and services, along with online help to file your taxes. They also offer an accuracy guarantee on their services.
Tax Return by Mail
Not everyone is eligible to e-file. For example, if you are filing a separate return from a spouse, a multiple support agreement or are filing before January 15 and after October 15, you cannot e-file. You can fill out your own taxes at home and mail in the tax return directly to the IRS. If you did not receive tax forms in the mail, you can visit your local library or government facility to pick up the forms, go online to the IRS (http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html) to download forms or have the forms mailed to you. You can also access all the tax forms you may need in the taxes section of this website http://www.wbsonline.com/resources/category/taxes/.
Filing a Tax Extension
If you cannot file your taxes by the due date (usually April 15), you can apply for a 6-month extension. For corporations, partnerships, REMICs, and certain trusts, you need to fill out either Form 7004 or Form 1138. If filing an extension for personal taxes, you need to fill out Form 4868. These forms can be found at the IRS web site: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=98155,00.html.