What is the best online tax software? Filing your taxes online offers many advantages, including the convenience of filing anytime anywhere, quick refund and more accurate tax return.
There are many online-tax-software out there and it can be confusing choosing the right one for you.
This article identifies the criteria you should look at before you click on the start button and file your return online.
1.
User Friendly The first think you should be looking in tax software is how simple, easy and understandable the application is.
If the software is complex, uses too many professional and technical terms and does not offer a clean easy to use navigation system, it will be stressful to prepare a return with it.
TaxTreasure is one solution that offers really nice and simple-to-use navigation system.
You can easily switch from the personal data screen to the tax deductions screens or goto the W2 worksheet where you will be able to quickly copy your W2 data to the software.
Turbotax is another solution that makes your life easy when it comes to menus.
2.
Support One of the concerns raised by taxpayers when filing taxes online is to make sure they do not make mistakes on the return that could lead to IRS audit.
Whether it is a math error, filling out the wrong form or claiming a deduction or credit that is not allowed, taxpayers want to feel confident when they use online tax software.
There are two levels of support, the first one is technical support that allows you to ask questions about the software and assist you when you are having problems operating it, the second one is the processional support that allows you to receive tax advice and helps you to maximize your refund.
TaxTreasure is unique in offering both levels.
It offers technical support to its users (as many other solutions offer) but unlike most online tax software it offers its users a special feature "File and Ask" that allows you to ask a tax professional your tax question while you are online, preparing your tax return.
TaxCut an HR&Block's software offers the two levels as well and it too helps you get answers to both technical questions and professional tax advice.
3.
Pricing The whole point behind e-filing your return is to lower your tax preparation cost, therefore an important factor in determining which software to use is it pricing and value.
What you are looking for is not necessarily the lowest price, but the best value, a package that offers extremely user-friendly solution, both technical and professional support and all for a reasonable price.
Many of the software offers you a low entry level price when you start your federal return and then charge you arms and legs for any other feature or a state tax return.
In your search for the best online tax software make sure you find one that offers a package that includes your federal return, state return, technical and professional support and off course audit protection.
TaxSlayer is one of the software that offers competitive pricing with federal returns starting at $9.
95.
TaxTreasure is another solution that offers more than reasonable prices but more than that it offers value, with returns starting at $14.
95 it offers you a complete package that covers all your tax filing needs.
Conclusion Online tax filing is here to stay, it is no longer a futuristic dream of some computers geeks, it is the here and now solution for anyone who wants to file anywhere anytime, save on filing fees and maximize the expected refund.
The features included in the online tax filing programs covered in this article have helped make it the easiest way to file your taxes.
If you are in the market for filing your taxes fast, accurately and receiving the largest refund possible then these e-file programs are your answer.
There are many online-tax-software out there and it can be confusing choosing the right one for you.
This article identifies the criteria you should look at before you click on the start button and file your return online.
1.
User Friendly The first think you should be looking in tax software is how simple, easy and understandable the application is.
If the software is complex, uses too many professional and technical terms and does not offer a clean easy to use navigation system, it will be stressful to prepare a return with it.
TaxTreasure is one solution that offers really nice and simple-to-use navigation system.
You can easily switch from the personal data screen to the tax deductions screens or goto the W2 worksheet where you will be able to quickly copy your W2 data to the software.
Turbotax is another solution that makes your life easy when it comes to menus.
2.
Support One of the concerns raised by taxpayers when filing taxes online is to make sure they do not make mistakes on the return that could lead to IRS audit.
Whether it is a math error, filling out the wrong form or claiming a deduction or credit that is not allowed, taxpayers want to feel confident when they use online tax software.
There are two levels of support, the first one is technical support that allows you to ask questions about the software and assist you when you are having problems operating it, the second one is the processional support that allows you to receive tax advice and helps you to maximize your refund.
TaxTreasure is unique in offering both levels.
It offers technical support to its users (as many other solutions offer) but unlike most online tax software it offers its users a special feature "File and Ask" that allows you to ask a tax professional your tax question while you are online, preparing your tax return.
TaxCut an HR&Block's software offers the two levels as well and it too helps you get answers to both technical questions and professional tax advice.
3.
Pricing The whole point behind e-filing your return is to lower your tax preparation cost, therefore an important factor in determining which software to use is it pricing and value.
What you are looking for is not necessarily the lowest price, but the best value, a package that offers extremely user-friendly solution, both technical and professional support and all for a reasonable price.
Many of the software offers you a low entry level price when you start your federal return and then charge you arms and legs for any other feature or a state tax return.
In your search for the best online tax software make sure you find one that offers a package that includes your federal return, state return, technical and professional support and off course audit protection.
TaxSlayer is one of the software that offers competitive pricing with federal returns starting at $9.
95.
TaxTreasure is another solution that offers more than reasonable prices but more than that it offers value, with returns starting at $14.
95 it offers you a complete package that covers all your tax filing needs.
Conclusion Online tax filing is here to stay, it is no longer a futuristic dream of some computers geeks, it is the here and now solution for anyone who wants to file anywhere anytime, save on filing fees and maximize the expected refund.
The features included in the online tax filing programs covered in this article have helped make it the easiest way to file your taxes.
If you are in the market for filing your taxes fast, accurately and receiving the largest refund possible then these e-file programs are your answer.