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Taxes Information |
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What the Tax Software Companies Dont Want You to Know
Haven't done your taxes yet? No problem. Now there is a new way you can use top tax software programs, like TurboTax and H&R Block, to get your taxes done quickly and easily. And the best part is it won't cost you a thing. The secret is an IRS program called Free File, that allows you to prepare and file your federal tax return electronically, using these and dozens of other popular tax software programs, for free! Free File has been around for a few years, but it used to have very stringent income requirements (i.e., only taxpayers whose incomes were below a certain level could use it). This year is the first time the service is being opened up to 99% of taxpayers. Important: You must go through the IRS official web site in order to get this deal. Go to http://www.irs.gov and click on the link at the top of the home page that says Free File. (Note: It's not on the navigation bar. It's on the home page itself.) Next, you'll want to click the gray button at the bottom of the page that says, "Start Now." At this point, you'll have the option of browsing all of the services offered or choosing to use the "Guide Me to a Service" wizard to help you select one. The wizard will ask you a few basic questions about your age and income and then come back with a list of companies whose free products meet your needs. Why is the IRS doing this? In a nutshell, to save money. It's cheaper, faster and easier for them to process returns electronically. Why should you do it? Because it's cheaper and easier to file, and you can get your refund faster. Why are the big tax companies offering this deal? They're trying to get you to upgrade to one of their deluxe products, which offer things like tax planning advice, the ability to import data from software you used last year, etc. Also, state tax programs are not included in this deal. So the companies probably figure that if you use their free federal program you'll end up buying their state one. Remember: You must go through the IRS official web site in order to get this deal. If you go to the tax companies' sites, you will not get this offer. In fact, some of these companies not only charge you to do your return online, but then they'll also hit you with a fee once you try to file electronically. So you'll pay twice if you don't go through the IRS web site. Happy tax preparing! Stephanie Gallagher reveals her closely-guarded shopping secrets in her ezine, The Shopping Mom's Weekly Tip. Click here to get the eCookbooks Recipe Sampler Cookbook as a special gift when you subscribe: mailto: theshoppingmom@aweber.com
MORE RESOURCES: RIVERWOODS, Ill., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As more and more baby boomers are reaching retirement age, they'll have many factors to consider in choosing where to live in retirement, including the tax ... NEW YORK (TheStreet) - Candidate Mitt Romney wants you to believe he will lower taxes while cutting the national debt. But President Romney will need to raise taxes if he is going to have any chance of lowering U.S. debt, according to his former private equity pals. Now a strong frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Romney has repeatedly said that cutting the national debt ... WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Small U.S. business owners are unhappy with the amount of taxes large corporations and their executives pay, a recent survey indicates. With tax season getting under way, today I'll answer reader questions about property taxes, the new Medicare surcharge starting in 2013 and how to get those old-fashioned paper tax forms. Q: Tony G. asks, "Has anything... Small business owners see corporate tax loopholes and the shifting of U.S. profits to offshore tax havens as serious problems, according to a new independent national poll. Small business owners think big corporations and the wealthy don’t pay their fair share of taxes, the poll shows. Retirees can face hefty taxation if they don't follow certain strategies when managing their money. Using these tactics will help lower the bill. Kevin Drum looks at how regressive taxes are at the state and local level, an issue that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. These strange taxes are making everything from bagels to hot air balloon rides more expensive.  The proposed elimination of inheritance taxes would hit Lincoln County hard – to the tune of $550,000 a year, County Commissioner Joe Hewgley said. Hewgley testified to the Legislature on a bill that would eliminate inheritances taxes, something that Gov. Dave Heineman is fostering. Is it April Fool’s Day? Has somebody in Paris hacked the website at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development? Have we been transported to a parallel dimension where up is down and black is white? |
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