Making Tax Time Less Taxing : Part Two--Use A Tax Program!

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Even if you have good records, doing your taxes is still a dreaded chore.

Tax programs can help minimize the drudgery, and most are available at a very low cost--some are even free! So how do you find one that's right for you?

The IRS website is a good place to start. You will find links to several programs there, some are free to use--you pay only to efile your return. You can also do a search and find several programs available for use online and/or offline. These programs are fairly similar to each other, they all use the same tax code! Where they differ is in their "ease of use" and informational topics provided.

There are basically two ways you can do your taxes when using a program. You can enter the data directly into the form, or you can be "interviewed" by the software, which then places your data in the proper place. Most programs will allow you to use either method. Many people prefer the "interview" method because they don't have to wade through the tax booklet as they do their taxes.

A good program will provide you with topical information that you can access if you need help with, or just want an explanation of a particular form. Usually you must purchase the "deluxe" version of the program to get the informational topics. If you don't need this, then you can save money by buying the "standard" version. Unless you need special forms or schedules, either version should do the job--check their forms list if you want to be sure.

Another feature to look for is efiling--is it available, and is it included in the price? Many times this depends on whether you buy the "standard" or the "deluxe" version. Some programs give you Federal efiling free when you purchase their State program, some don't charge you for their program but charge you a fee for each return you efile--Federal or State.

If you must file income taxes in several states be aware that you must purchase a separate program for each state in most cases. However, some programs do offer "multi-state" programs--so check this to see if that is a cheaper option for you.

If you have recently moved, you may have to file as a Part Year Resident in both your old and new state. Some states will not allow you to efile a Part Year Resident return, and some programs do not support Part Year Resident returns--so this is also something to check before deciding on a program.

Finally, if you think you will be needing any special forms, or schedules, check the software's list to make sure that the form is available. While rare, it is possible that a form or schedule you need will not be available with a particular program. Unless you have a very complex tax situation chances are you don't need to worry about this.

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John M. Hanevy is an affiliate of SFI, Strong Future International.

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