| Nowadays, there are many different options for | | | | the person using the software doesn't have much |
| people attempting to prepare their own federal and | | | | knowledge of income tax preparation, and therefore |
| state income taxes. | | | | they pretty much hold your hand and walk you through |
| You can download the various forms from the IRS | | | | the whole thing. They usually involve an interview |
| website, or you can go to the Post Office of Bank | | | | process, where you are prompted to answer |
| and get the forms you think you need to file for your | | | | questions, you answer them, and the program fills in all |
| federal return and your state return as well. That is, if | | | | the appropriate numbers for you. It's a snap! |
| the forms are available the day you go to get them. | | | | The prices are pretty competitive, too. The various |
| Another, better option is to spend a few dollars and | | | | programs start at around $14 bucks or so for the |
| purchase a tax software program that will prepare | | | | most basic of filings, and run all the way up to a still |
| your federal and state income taxes. These income | | | | very reasonable $50 or $60. That would be for the |
| tax preparation programs have been around for quite | | | | top of the line package, including federal and state |
| some time, and are quite a bargain. And they really do | | | | income tax preparation, as well as e-filing. |
| pretty much prepare your tax returns for you. | | | | Compare that to going the accountant's office and you |
| Think about it - if you prepare your federal and/or | | | | tell me if that is not a good deal. Plus there's the added |
| state income tax returns by hand, you run the risk of | | | | benefit of keeping all your papers to yourself, which in |
| making careless math errors. Even worse, you may | | | | this day and age of identity theft, you can't be too |
| inadvertently take a deduction for something you | | | | careful. |
| shouldn't. And just as bad, you may miss taking a | | | | Not to mention the hefty fees an accountant would |
| deduction for something you were entitled to. | | | | charge. |
| Each one of the tax software suppliers has their own | | | | All in all, it is well worth your time to seriously consider |
| version of an income tax preparation program. Some | | | | purchasing a tax preparation software program that |
| are better than others, some cheaper or more | | | | will prepare your taxes for you and help ease your |
| expensive. They are pretty similar, in that they assume | | | | tax-season woes! |