Why File Online? (part 2)
Save Time Next Year Using Past Filings
Once you use an online service such as TaxBrain to file taxes, you'll be in for
a pleasant surprise when a year rolls by and you need to file all over again.
Yes, pleasant because instead of you starting from scratch they'll use your
previous filing to get things rolling faster. Using this functionality year
after year will save you lots of time and headaches.
Try Before You Buy
If you stop by your local store to buy boxed software, that purchase is
completed once you come home and open the package because in most cases its not
refundable once opened. But what if the software crashes your PC or it simply
doesn't have all the functionality that you need? Well, you're our of luck then.
This is another point where online filing wins hands down. With an online
service such as TaxBrain, you can register for free and start working on your
taxes without whipping out your credit card. You can even take your time by
savings your progress and coming back to finish later. Once you are done and
happy with the results, you can then pay to efile or print your tax return.
Nothing To Install
This is pretty self-explanatory. With an online tax filing service you don't
need to install any software. All you need to get started is your internet
browser.
What About Walk-In Tax Preparation Office Chains?
Retail tax preparation chains such as H&R Block are a great service for
certain people, for example new immigrants who have have a tough time with
English or those haven't had the chance to make the computer part of our daily
life. But if you're reading this, you're probably not one of them because if you
can browse the web and send email, you don't belong at places such as H&R Block.
Reason being? They use the same type of software that is readily available to
you yet they charge more for their time and services. Keep in mind that these
locations don't employ certified accountants. Most of these "tax specialists"
are temporary employees that are simply trained to file income taxes with the
guidance of sophisticated software that you can get access to just as well as
they can. Additionally these specialists are also well trained selling machines
and you will often be sold extra services that you simply don't need. They know
that you are a customer only once per year and they'll do all that they can to
squeeze more dollars out of you.