: Moneysmartz Profile
  
Tax Preparation Guide Recommend a Site

Featured Listings

  • FreeTaxUSA: Prepare, print, and e-file your taxes for free. FreeTaxUSA.com is an authorized IRS e-file provider, and is part of the TaxHawk, Inc. family of tax filing web sites. Since 2001, the TaxHawk, Inc. family of web sites has e-filed over 5 million tax returns with the IRS. View FreeTaxUSA Profile

 Moneysmartz Tax Preparation Guide Overview

Do-it-yourself or hire help? Software or pencil? E-file or mail? Year-round organization or last second chaos? 1040EZ or 1040? Complex tax preparation questions abound, but simple solutions seem scarce. Rest easy, with planning and guidance, the annual dance with the IRS can be a graceful waltz. OK, maybe it is more like an awkward teenage dance full of sweat and uncertainty, where we survive to dance another day. The Moneysmartz Tax Preparation category offers a quick and painless introduction to online encyclopedias, tax software providers, tax portals, online tax preparation tools, e-file sites, and last, and maybe least, the Internal Revenue Service.
More on the Moneysmartz Blog: Taxes
Featured Site Profiles: H&R Block, Internal Revenue Service, TurboTax, Yahoo! Finance Tax Filing

 Tax Preparation Navigation Tips

  • Learn about dreaded forms and terminology. There is only one choice, so don't be afraid to visit the IRS Forms and Publications page and the IRS home page.
  • Determine the how and who of taxes. If you plan to go it alone, then tax preparation software, including Tax Cut, TaxACT, or Turbo Tax, will save time and maybe even help lower your tax bill. If you need assistance from a tax preparation professional, get a referral for a local provider from a trusted friend or local business. There are many good local accountants and tax preparation firms. To get the best results, stick with one provider and develop a long-term relationship. If you do not know where to start, try a national firm like H&R Block.
  • File with the IRS. Before mailing your forms, visit the IRS E-File page with information about how to file electronically.
  • Develop an annual process for gathering and organizing tax related receipts and documents. Find a shoe box or file and collect all tax related information during the year. Over time, you will find what works best for you, so just start doing something.

 Web Pages

  • Internal Revenue Service - U.S. government agency responsible for tax collection and tax law enforcement. Provides downloadable income tax forms, instructions, and agency publications.  Editor Pick
    http://www.irs.gov/  View Profile
  • Tax Tips from H&R Block - Want answers to your burning tax questions? H&R Block has tax tips for everyone, from families with kids, to hybrid car owners, to the retirement-concious. Check them out here.  Editor Pick
    http://hrblock.com/taxes/tax_tips/index.html  View Profile
  • TurboTax - TurboTax Automatic Renewal Plan is the most convenient way to take care of your tax software needs year after year.  Editor Pick
    http://turbotax.intuit.com/  View Profile
  • Yahoo! Finance Tax Filing - Doing your taxes is not as easy as ABC, but alphabetical tips from Yahoo! Finance can make the process less difficult.  Editor Pick
    http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/filing  View Profile
  • AARP.org Tax-Aide - AARP Tax-Aide helps individuals prepare and file their federal income taxes.
    http://www.aarp.org/money/taxaide/taxpreparation/  View Profile
  • Bankrate.com Taxes - Information on all phases of tax planning and preparation from Bankrate.com.
    http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/news_taxes_home.asp  View Profile
  • Don't Mess With Taxes - Tax news, tips, commentary and humor from professional tax journalist Kay Bell.
    http://dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com/dont_mess_with_taxes/  View Profile
  • Epinions: Taxes - Consumer reviews of conventional and online tax preparers, plus buying advice for tax services.
    http://www.epinions.com/Taxes  View Profile
  • Free Tax Return Preparation - The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offer free tax help if you qualify.
    http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html  View Profile
  • H&R Block Calculators to the rescue - Use H&R Block's Tax Estimator to calculate your refund or how much you'll owe. Then, at the end we'll tell you what documentation you need to complete your taxes.
    http://hrblock.com/taxes/tax_calculators/index.html  View Profile
  • H&R Block TaxCut Basic is now free - H&R Block is now offering TaxCut Basic for the low, low price of FREE for all those late tax filers among us: http://hrblock.com/cmpgn/online/free_online_lp.html In addition, anyone that files with TaxCut is automatically entered to win a free Cancun vacation: http://www.facebook.com/HRBlockonline
    http://hrblock.com/cmpgn/online/free_online_lp.html  View Profile
  • Our Taxing Times - A blog about US taxes, tax system, and the tax preparation business from my perspective.
    http://trishmc.typepad.com/  View Profile
  • Tax Cut by H&R Block - Providing federal, state, and electronic filing preparation software and tax advice from H & R Block.
    http://www.taxcut.com/  View Profile
  • TaxACT - Federal and state income tax software solutions for consumers and tax professionals.
    http://www.taxact.com/  View Profile
  • Taxopedia.com - Information resource for taxes and tax planning. Includes a large dictionary of tax terms and tips.
    http://www.taxopedia.com  View Profile
  • TaxProf Blog - A blend of reference tools and announcements about developing tax issues targeting tax professors but with applicability to individuals looking for current news and information about tax law changes on topics such as mortgage interest deductions and tax s
    http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/  View Profile
  • TurboTax Tax Tips - Tax preparation checklist for your income tax return.
    http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/income_tax_preparation_checklist_turbotax/article  View Profile
  • U.S. Tax Return - Introduction to the U.S. tax return by Wikipedia.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_return_%28United_States%29  View Profile
Copyright © 2012 Moneysmartz All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer: Nothing contained in Moneysmartz is intended to be, nor shall it be construed as, investment or financial advice. The listings on Moneysmartz do not in any way constitute a referral or endorsement by Moneysmartz. Your access to and use of this site is subject to additional Terms and Conditions.