What Is The Easiest Online Tax Service To Use

Tax Privacy And Security Tips

One understandable concern weve heard from readers is the desire to know how these tax tools protect your privacy and financial information. The good news is, the government has been taking steps to make sure that doing your taxes online is more secure. For example, last year, the IRS mandated multi-factor authentication for all online tax-prep tools . We also looked at the privacy and security policies for the tax software we tested and asked the companies for information on how they safeguard customer data. The answer: All of them encrypt the data when its stored on their systems and follow the IRSs standards for electronically sending returns securely.

The bad news is that the nature of the internet means theres no such thing as 100% secure tax filing, and tax-prep services are especially common targets for hackers. We looked into software breaches from previous years at TurboTax and H& R Block and found that the breaches were caused by credential stuffingidentity thieves used passwords and usernames stolen from other services to log in to the tax software. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to follow strong security practices, which includes never reusing the same password for different accounts. A password manager can help you create a strong, unique password for all of your accounts. Other recommendations:

What Is Irs Free File

The IRS Free File Program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and many tax preparation and filing software industry leaders who provide their brand-name products for free. It provides two ways for taxpayers to prepare and file their federal income tax online for free:

• Traditional IRS Free File provides free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner sites. Our partners are online tax preparation companies that develop and deliver this service at no cost to qualifying taxpayers. Please note, only taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $72,000 or less qualify for any IRS Free File partner offers.
• Free File Fillable Forms are electronic federal tax forms you can fill out and file online for free. If you choose this option, you should know how to prepare your own tax return. Please note, it is the only IRS Free File option available for taxpayers whose income is greater than $72,000.

Find what you need to get started, your protections and security, available forms and more about IRS Free File below.

About IRS Free File Partnership with Online Tax Preparation Companies

The IRS does not endorse any individual partner company.

• A copy of last year’s tax return in order to access your Adjusted Gross Income
• Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependent, if applicable

Income and Receipts

Other income

ACA Filers

• Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit

File Electronically

Contact Information

Best For New Circumstances: Taxact

If you’ve undergone a major life event since the last time you filed, like losing or getting a new job, buying or selling a home, or having a baby, TaxAct will help you zero in on how those will impact your taxes. It will also help you pinpoint deductions if you’re self-employed, a handy feature for those who might not know all of the little things they can get a break on. While TaxAct is also pretty no-frills, it makes a good budget-friendly option. You will pay extra to file state taxes with all but the most ground-level option, so be aware of that.

For those who felt burned by their tax filing choice last year, TaxAct can help with that too. It easily imports returns from other preparers, so you can switch without much of a headache.

Recommended Reading: Can You File Missouri State Taxes Online

Best Tax Software For Maximizing Credits And Deductions

Historically, weve called this category the best software for itemizers. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act led to fewer people needing to itemize. Despite the changes, many people still need to maximize credits and deductions. You may need to maximize your credits and deductions under the following circumstances:

• You paid student loan interest.
• You paid for higher education expenses.
• You contributed to a Retirement Account.
• You paid child or dependent care expenses.
• You contributed up to $300 in charitable expenses, and you dont plan to itemize.
• You contributed to an HSA.
• And more…

You should not have to pay extra to take advantage of all these credits and deductions. These are the two software packages we recommend for maximizing your return.

Best For Expert Advice: Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Pro From Home service gives you an option for a hybrid online tax preparation experience that puts the heavy lifting in the hands of a professional tax preparer. We chose this software as best for expert advice.

• Access live support or pay additional fees to have a tax professional take over

• Additional audit support requires an added fee

• Few software options mean you could pay more depending on your needs

• Do-it-yourself software features less-robust customer support

Jackson Hewitt is a well-known name in tax preparation. Though many people know this brand thanks to its network of offices around the U.S., it also offers online software to complete your taxes on your own: Tax Pro From Home.

There are three versions of Tax Pro From Home and each one offers more features than the last but at a progressively higher cost.

If you want expert advice while working on your taxes, you have a couple of upgrade options available. The online software includes online support and real-time customer service access. If youre willing to pay more, you can take advantage of a hybrid online tax-prep service where you upload your documents and a professional preparer takes care of the rest. With Tax Pro From Home, your taxes are ready within seven days.

Recommended Reading: Where Is My Federal Tax Refund Ga

When Does Netfile Open For 2021

NETFILE opens on Monday, February 22, 2021, for filing personal tax returns for the 2020 tax year. To file online, you must use CRA-certified tax-filing software products that use the NETFILE web service. You can also file previous tax years back to 2015, but returns for tax years earlier than 2014 must be done on paper.

Best Virtual Tax Preparation

If youve barely left your house since March, the idea of making an appointment to do your taxes is not something youre eager to do. Thankfully, companies are responding to the Pandemic and offering virtual tax prep. I suspect that this is one trend that will stick around.

This was rolled out a few years ago, and now has become increasingly popular!

Also Check: Where’s My Tax Refund Ga

Runner Up: Taxslayer Premium

Why? TaxSlayer Premium is a moderately priced software with massive value for filers looking for support. It comes with unlimited Ask a tax pro options where you can get support from a tax professional . It also comes with audit defense support and unlimited technical support. Given the price, TaxSlayer Premium offers an almost unbeatable value.

Best For Partnerships And Corporations: Taxact

TaxAct

TaxAct includes an option to complete tax filings for partnership and corporations completely online and is the only place you can prepare taxes for a partnership or S corporation with either a PC or Mac online, which is why it’s our choice as best for partnerships and corporations.

• Completely online federal and state taxes for partnerships, C corporations, and S corporations

• Unlimited free support from tax specialists and technical support by phone and email

• Choose between online and downloadable versions

• Discounts available for bundling personal and business taxes

• Limited options for audit support

• State forms may not be available to file electronically

TaxAct is a large provider of online and downloadable tax software that has completed over 80 million tax returns since 2000.

Business owners who file online will pay $124.95 plus $49.95 per state. That includes sole proprietors who file with a Schedule C, partnerships that require Form 1065, corporations that file with Form 1120 or Form 1120s. However, tax-exempt organizations that file Form 990 must by the downloadable version though..

The download version , which includes 5 federal e-files is $109.95. States cost $50 each. You can bundle personal and business for a total of $200.

Recommended Reading: Can You File Missouri State Taxes Online

What Is A Tax Software

Tax software programs are designed to help the average taxpayer accurately prepare and file state and federal income tax returns.

Online tax software can be a cost-effective way to file your tax returns from the comfort of your home, and the products dont require any previous experience for you to navigate them.

If you need extra support, almost all tax software programs are equipped with tools to help you answer common questions regarding your returns. That may include a glossary defining common tax terms, a step-by-step navigation bar or a live chat or consultation with a tax professional.

When To Hire A Cpa Instead

Some tax circumstances just call for a professional. If you’re a small business owner, have a lot of investment engines or properties, or if you’re a freelancer who needs to file in multiple states and circumstances, you may want to shell out for a pro. And if you’ve recently bought or sold a home or have other capital gains or losses, getting the returns you’re owed may warrant consulting a professional, too.

Finally, if you don’t feel comfortable inputting the information yourself, you’re afraid you might miss deductions, or want the security of knowing it’s in a pro’s hands, take it to the experts. Some things are just better left to those in the know.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does H& r Block Charge To Do Taxes

Free File Fillable Forms

If your AGI is more than $69,000 and you dont mind taking the DIY tax-filing route, you can still take advantage of an IRS-administered free electronic filing system. The IRS makes its entire database of tax forms and schedules available in PDF format at FreeFileFillableForms.com.

To complete your tax return, fill out the appropriate forms through the online system and submit them through the IRSs e-filing system. Youll receive your refund on the same schedule as you would with a branded online tax preparation service.

With Free File Fillable Forms, your work is automatically saved as you go, so you dont need to fill out your entire return in one sitting. And regardless of how complex your tax situation is, you can find the forms and schedules necessary to complete your tax return here, subject to some limitations outlined by the IRS. There arent any income, age, citizenship status, or other eligibility restrictions for Free File Fillable Forms.

Free File Fillable Forms might sound like the ultimate free filing option, but theres a major catch: The IRS provides no support whatsoever for taxpayers who opt to use this resource. In other words, you have to know how to fill out each form and schedule on your own, or at least be confident enough to navigate the IRSs library of tax preparation resources to find out how.

Best Free Tax Software

If you qualify for a free file, you need to be taking advantage of it. Unfortunately, free filing software is something of a unicorn. Only one company, Credit Karma Tax, offers free filing for all users in 2021. With that in mind, these are the two most robust free filing programs in 2021.If you think you should qualify for free filing in 2021, be careful. Read the section on maximizing credits and deductions as well. While many tax programs advertise free filing, many don’t deliver. You dont want to start filing with one software only to be forced into an upgrade.

Don’t Miss: Efstatus Taxact Com Login

Deluxe Online Tax Filing

Deluxe will store your returns or pull data from prior years returns if youd like. It offers a deduction tool to make sure youre making the most of your deductions, most of which are available to users of this version. Additional tax situations that are supported here include Health Savings Accounts, unreported tips, and hobby income. This version costs $29.99, plus $36.99 per filed state, for a total of $66.98 if you file for only one state.

Taxslayer Free File Edition

TaxSlayer is another service with a free file option. There are no citizenship or residency requirements to qualify for the TaxSlayer free file option.

There is free federal filing for those with an AGI of less than $100,000, and one free state return is included. If you need additional state returns, there is a fee.

Quick Summary

The free option does have a couple of small downsides.While it was built to support tax situations with varying complexity, the free plan is really only suitable for the simplest of tax situations.

There are a number of common situations that are not covered with the free plan, including itemized deductions, stock sales, rental property income, self employment income, and Earned Income Tax Credit.

Additionally, you wont have access to audit assistance or live chat that is offered to those with a paid plan. You can obtain phone support from the TaxSlayer non professional customer support team. Paid plan clients will get priority in the phone queue, however. So if you need to call during a peak period, get set for quite a wait.

You May Like: How Much Does H& r Block Charge To Do Taxes

Tax Software: Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Better to Do Your Own Taxes or Pay Someone Else?

One of the main questions people ask when looking for online tax filing software is: Wouldnt it be easier to get financial assistance and pay an accountant to do my tax filing for me? In reality, the answer to that question is often a big fat no. Despite the fact that you often have to pay for tax return software, the cost of hiring a professional is often significantly higher.

To tell you the truth, doing your taxes is actually fairly easy, you only have to know how to read and input data on the tax return form before sending it off online or in person. The only exception is if you own your own business, earn a high income or you simply dont know where to begin.

How Do I Know Which Tax Return Software Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right tax return software for you may be tricky business, but it isnt an impossible task. While we mentioned many of these points in our buying guide, it is important that you know exactly what to look out for so that you can accurately file your taxes before September 2021.

If you dont fancy physically mailing your tax return given the current situation, one of the first things to look out for is that the software program is NETFILE certified by the CRA. Apart from that, you must make sure that the program you select is compatible with your OS and that it fits into your budget.

Best Free Option: Taxact Irs Free File Edition

TaxAct IRS

Why We Chose It: Federal and state returns can be filed for free by expats who meet the IRS qualifications, and they can receive access to the most common tax forms that expatriates require.

• Expats who qualify for the software get free federal and state filing.

• Expats get access to the most common tax forms theyll need.

• Schedule C is available to report material participation in business activities.

• Allows for people who dont qualify to use the software for a federal return cost of $64.95.

• Only available for free to people who meet income and other qualifications.

• Doesnt include FBAR Form 114.

• Schedule C cant be used to report passive business activities.

If youre an expatriate with an adjusted gross income of $72,000 or less, then you may be able to file your federal taxes online for free. While there are various IRS free file options online, we chose the TaxAct Free File Edition as the best free tax software for expatriates because youll get access to the five most common expat tax forms .

Its important to note that the specific qualifications differ for each IRS Free File Online tool. The TaxAct Free File edition is available to people whose AGI isnt more than $63,000 and who are:

• 56 years of age and younger or
• Eligible for the earned income tax credit or
• Active members of the military in 2020 with an AGI of $72,000 or less

Details about the TaxAct IRS Free File program for expatriates are as follows:

Read the full TaxAct review.

Read Also: How Much Does H & R Block Charge For Taxes

How To File Your Taxes Online In Canada

There are two main ways to file your taxes online in Canada i.e. using NETFILE or EFILE.

NETFILE is an online transmission service provided by the Canada Revenue Agency for individual filers to send in their tax returns without needing paper tax forms.

In order to prepare your online tax return using NETFILE, you must use a CRA-certified tax preparation software such as TurboTax and several others.

Tax return submissions through NETFILE go directly to the CRA in a secure format.

EFILE is an electronic submission service used by tax preparers to transmit your income tax return information to the CRA.

If you are not comfortable with using NETFILE or have a complicated tax return and require professional help, an accountant or tax preparation firm can use EFILE to file your tax return for a fee.

Starting in 2018, CRA now offers a File My Return service that lower-income Canadians can use to file their income tax and benefit return for free.

Individuals who qualify for this service receive an invitation letter in February with instructions on how to proceed. For questions relating to using File My Return, call CRA at 1-800-959-8281.