Fear No Taxes: Having the Right Knowledge Lets You Take Control

As you well know, tax season is upon us. For millions in America, that means miserable hours spent with a calculator, a W2, and a tax form. Frustration multiplies with every new blank box to fill with a number that seems to have come from a mixture of algebra, geometry and our government’s sick imagination. At this very moment, you are probably putting off the frustrating yet inevitable task of filing your tax return—why else would you be reading this article? But fear not! A little knowledge goes a long way in the world of taxes; just remember that you don’t have to be an IRS accountant to grasp your personal finances. Here are some helpful tidbits:

• Filing your tax return online: As many Americans experienced last year, receiving a tax refund via direct deposit is a very good experience. Even if you are not expecting a refund, filing online takes a lot of the pain out of preparing and filing your own tax return. But, as with all good ideas, copycats pop up quickly. That means that there are a slew of websites all touting the same thing: free and easy online filing. In choosing the right site for your needs, consider these: freefilefillableforms.com, turbotax.intuit.com, hrblock.com, and taxact.com. Each of these four sites is safe, user-friendly, and relatively painless to use (even for new users). Additionally, they offer freebies that other sites charge you for, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of what they have to offer.
• Filing your tax return face-to-face: Sure, filing online is great for most people, but there are still many who prefer to file face-to-face with a  living, breathing person, rather than an unsympathetic computer. Unfortunately, there is usually a fee associated with face-to-face filing, but for individuals who have more to worry about than a simple W2 form, this is a great venue. If you don’t already know of a local “taxman,” or have recently moved and need to find another, search for one of the nationwide tax franchises in your area; for example, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax Service or H&R Block are all nationally recognized companies who staff professional tax agents trained to help you file quickly and efficiently. If you would rather seek out someone not associated with a national tax company, search for a local accountant who specializes in taxes or a local company who specifically staffs tax professionals.
• Visit www.IRS.gov: Of all websites to browse, this is not one that you would typically consider. But, when it’s tax season, IRS.gov can be a priceless asset. If you have questions about taxes, IRS.gov has the answers, as well as a ton of helpful links to sites that every taxpayer should have stowed away in their browers.
• Taxes don’t kill: No one anxiously awaits tax season, but that doesn’t mean you have to dread it. With the right knowledge and preparation, taxes can finally be viewed in an accurate light: a small, inevitable annoyance taking place once a year.

In keeping with the theme that taxes aren’t as bad as they appear, here’s one last thought: What is the difference between a mosquito and an IRS agent? One is a bloodsucking parasite, the other is an insect.

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