DIY Tax Return Estimate and eFile Steps
To file your federal and state taxes, you can count on eFile.com to get IT done! IT is Income Taxes and we make IT easier for you and your wallet. eFile.com is a tax preparation software that can help prepare and file your taxes by April 154 or by October 15 if you miss the timely deadline. eFile will help you claim all tax credits and deductions for you so you don't need to be a tax expert to save money on your taxes - let us work for you!
Once you have gathered all your tax documents, receipts, and forms - see a detailed tax checklist here - we suggest you take these tax estimation and return preparation steps so you maximize your tax refund, reduce your tax liability, and balance your tax return. The steps below will help you optimize your tax return(s) so you get to keep more of your hard earned money; follow the table below to learn how to e-file taxes or eFileIT.
Follow the eFile.com TickIT outline throughout the year as Fail to Plan might result in Plan to Fail. Give your paycheck(s) a Taxercise with the eFile.com Taxometer to optimize your W-4 based tax withholding. Do not underestimate the importance of your W-4! Use the eFile.com Paycheck Calculator when you complete your W-4. Do not hand over too much in tax withholding per paycheck to the IRS only to get it back sometimes over a year later as your tax refund. This is your money, so let us help you plan wisely.
Five Simple Tips to Avoid Processing Delays or Refund Adjustments
- Use the correct information, including your filing status, claimable dependents, name, birth date, and Social Security Number for you and your dependents.
- Answer the digital assets question regarding financial interests or digital assets - this includes virtual currencies. eFile will only let you file after answering this question.
- Double check your direct deposit routing and account numbers for your refund or tax payment.
- Report all taxable income, including W-2 income, 1099 income, gambling income, freelance income, and more.
- Once the IRS and applicable state(s) accept your return, download and store a copy or copies of your tax return(s).
File IRS and State Taxes Online
How much do you have to make to file taxes?
Follow this table to help prepare to file your tax return online. We at eFile.com provide the resources to help taxpayers self-prepare and e-file federal and state taxes by utilizing the eFile Tax App. Sign in through the eFile Portal: with support agents on standby, do it yourself or DIY and get your taxes done stress-free by keeping organized record of your income forms, retrieve them when you are ready to file, and e-file your returns with the IRS and state - see state income tax return details. The last day to file taxes is usually around October 15, but a timely return needs to be file by the April 15 deadline.
Review the steps below so you are ready to file your income taxes on time. Not sure if you will be ready to file by the Tax Day deadline? See how to file an extension for your taxes.
Got all your
tax preparation documents? Now is time to
Taxstimate your tax refund or taxes due - will you get an IRS refund?
Estimate your tax return now before you eFile to get an idea of what your taxes will look like. Find out if you may owe or be owed before you e-file your return.
Find out what your estimated tax refund date will be based on your tax refund deposit method. Did you know that a tax refund is mostly made of money you handed over to the IRS during the year?
Bank direct deposit is the fastest method to get your tax refund money from the IRS. If you get a large refund, consider
reducing your tax withholding so you keep your money during the year.
Make sure you know which federal or state tax deadlines apply to you. Generally, most
federal individual income tax returns are due mid April following the calendar or tax year.
Did you know that the penalties for not filing on time are bigger than not paying on time? Tax Tip: e-file a return or extension by the deadline to minimize or even eliminate these.
Most states in the United States do require an income tax return which is paid through
paycheck withholding,
estimated tax payments, and finalized with a tax return by either paying the remaining liability or receiving a refund. Find out which states do and which ones do not.
You can
only e-file a state tax return with a federal return anywhere with the exception of California. You can, however,
prepare and print a state return only on eFile.com; prepare your federal and state together returns so you can e-file both. Do IT all for one low price for all states.
Estimate your potential IRS penalties if you do not file on time or pay on time. The penalties for not filing on time are more expensive than not paying on time.
Late penalties are only applied when you owe tax. When you are owed a refund, you are only penalizing yourself by not claiming the money that is rightfully yours.
Maximize your
tax-free income, let eFile claim
tax credits for you, and know the expenses you can and cannot deduct on your tax return when you e-file.
Find out if you actually have to file an income tax return. Based on your income type, you may not be required to file an income tax return, but it may be beneficial.
Use the
free FILEuctor tool to get an answer accurately and quickly. This tool will determine if you need to or may want to file simply by answering a few questions.
Even you don't
have to file a return, you still might
want to file one for other reasons. If you need to claim certain
refundable tax credits or report your
Premium Tax Credit, the only way to do this is by filing taxes.
See the
benefits of filing a tax return. Get an answer quick by using the free tax tool and review some of the reasons that may apply to your situation based on simple answers to the questions.
Review eFile.com and IRS tax payments options on how to pay your taxes; pay as little or as much as you can on time to avoid tax penalties. You can make payments online.
See
federal income tax payment options; pay with your return on eFile.com or pay the IRS directly. A
tax extension does not give you more time to pay.
Download your completed tax return from your eFile.com account (under My Account) and keep it for your records. If you did not file your return on eFile.com (or even if you did), you may obtain a free transcript of your return from the IRS which has basic return information.
Click here if you prepared and e-filed via eFile.com.
Get an IRS tax return transcript regardless of where you prepared and filed. Tax returns should be kept in case the IRS requires further information, for loan applications, and more.
Need to make a change to an e-Filed or filed return? You will need to complete and file an amended tax return.
Know what to do in case you get audited. In most cases, audits are handled simply by verifying your identify, reviewing some information, and working with an IRS agent to provide additional documents and figures.
How to respond to a tax audit. The IRS will issue you a notice of any changes; respond to the notice as soon as possible. If you do no understand the notice after filing with eFile.com,
contact us so we can provide guidance.
e-File Income Taxes Online
All of this can be overwhelming, but easily create a free account on eFile.com and start the tax interview process by answering a few simple questions. We make it easy for you so you don't have to worry about too many of the sometimes complicated tax law details. You can monitor your preliminary federal or IRS and state tax return as you go through the process. Before you e-file your tax return, make sure to check for errors and overall results or contact one of our Taxperts® if you have questions.
See the eFile login page after you have created a free account and e-file your IRS and state taxes. Based on the complication of your return, you may qualify to file taxes online for free.
View IRS Tax Calendars for due dates and more.
Tax Planning: Take control of your personal life relationships, finances, and taxes: follow the tips on this page and keep up with tax planning for next year. You can use this free tax return and refund calculator to get a high-level understanding of your taxes.
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