What to Look for in Online Tax Prep and Filing Software
You may have a less taxing time this April if you let computer software do much of the hard work filing with the IRS.
You won’t be alone. According to IRS data, more than 68 million tax returns were filed electronically last year, with more than 17 million taxpayers filing their own returns online.
“There are a number of benefits that online tax prep and e-filing offer but you should do a little bit of homework first to get the greatest value for your dollar,” said Debra Gray, tax software manager for CCH.
According to Gray, some of the questions you should look to answer are:
Is the software easy and secure?
Online software can save time because you don’t have to download it to your computer. Make sure, however, the program is easy to navigate, helps you organize your information and provides the support resources you need to complete your return, as well as encrypting your data using recognized security standards.
Can you work at your own pace?
Online tax preparation sites let you password protect your work, logging back in as often as you...