Trying to file our taxes as soon as possible requires careful planning and a decent amount of time. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made available an online tool that has made the process easier and faster. During the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in e-filing. Last year, 92% of taxpayers chose e-filing for their tax return. Thus, we are bringing four useful tips to file your taxes online in case you need some help on this effective and simple process.
When you work with a professional tax assistant, you don’t really need to worry about the process. However, if you are doing this on your own, these tips might be of great help. First, you need to do your research and learn about the dates for filing. After that, you should sign up with the IRS for your direct deposit payment. Only then you might continue and actually submit your taxes through the IRS website. Lastly, you just need to sign off your tax return and wait until you receive your deposit. We hope these tips to file your taxes online makes the process simpler and easier for you.
Know the Dates and Don’t Miss Them
One of the most important tips to file your taxes online include knowing the relevant dates and not missing them. Earlier this month, the IRS announced that the tax filing season will begin on Monday, January 28th, 2019. The due date to file your tax returns is by midnight of April 15th, 2019. This date only changes to April 17th for residents of the states of Maine and Massachusetts. We should also remember that we should apply for an extension around March if we think we will need one.
Sign Up for Direct Deposit Payment
Another important step to take when filing our taxes online is signing up for your direct deposit before actually filing. This will help you ensure you receive your refund sooner rather than later. When opting for a direct deposit instead of a physical check you won’t have to worry about having the check lost or stolen. You can go to the IRS website and visit their Refunds section or have your tax preparer do it for you.
E-File Your Taxes through the IRS Website
Once you’re on the IRS website, you can go to their e-filing portal and start the process. They also have an article with different tips to file your taxes online that might be worth checking first. Taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less have the option to use the IRS system to file their taxes. For those with an AGI over such figure, the IRS will direct you to a certified service for e-filing.
Sign Off Your Tax Return
The last step of e-filing online is signing off your tax return using one of their many electronic signature options. The IRS has available two signing options, both through the use of a Personal Identification Number, or PIN. First, taxpayers have the option of using the AGI figure or PIN number from the year before. For the second option, the taxpayer and their tax preparer need to sign the tax return. Then, the IRS will generate a signing authorization request they must confirm later on.
The Internal Revenue Service has done an excellent job in simplifying and perfecting their online filing systems. This is why, every year, millions of taxpayers decide to go through this simple and easy process. We hope these tips to file your taxes online are useful and help you completing your e-filing process for this season.
