We typically put off filing our taxes as long as humanely possible — hell, the IRS claims the week of April 15 is the single busiest week of the year for filings — but filing them on time is still something you should do if you don’t want to risk paying late penalties or exuberant interest costs on top of what you might owe. You can even potentially lose your refund after three years if you refuse to file in a timely fashion. However, you don’t have to opt for a personal accountant who will charge you an arm and leg for your time if you have a straightforward return. Filing online is far quicker, more accurate, and yields a return directly to your bank account within 10 days opposed to the typical six weeks associated-with paper filing. Updated 01-18-2016 by Brendan Hesse:-- Updated to reflect current prices and available features on all services, added new entry for eSmart Tax. You may need to be a bit more wary of scam artists trying to obtain your info or riddle your computer with spyware, -but there’s no denying the appeal of sheer convenience. Below are our favorite methods for e-filing your taxes, so you nab-your return without ever leaving the comforts of your bed. Related:- Our 7 favorite income tax apps for the iPad Writer’s note: The 2016 deadline to file taxes is Monday, April 18. Also, we recommend sticking with the same premium vendor you used last year to file your taxes. Doing so will allow you to import last year’s tax information with a few mouse clicks. IRS Not everyone likes the Internal Revenue Service, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from government entity come tax time. The IRS’s website is one of the best places to go for tax laws, tips, forms, calculators, and any questions you may have about your finances or legal obligations prior to your filing. The government site also features contact information for local tax offices and will recommend various tax software based on your current finances. Moreover, the institution’s Free File tax software allows you to prepare and e-file your federal taxes if you made less than $58,000 last year, with a list of free and low-cost options applicable to certain states. It’s fairly cut and dry, but in case you’re still concerned, the site pairs you with the appropriate method for filing after a brief questionnaire. We only wish all aspects of government worked so flawlessly. Federal (free) | State (varies) Web- --iOS ---Android TurboTax TurboTax stands its ground as the premiere site for filing your taxes online. It’s a great option for both personal and small businesses, and you can even file your federal taxes for free using its IRS e-file system (state will cost you). The free edition contains many major forms, from the W-2 to the 1040EZ, with ample guidance and direction if you feel completely overwhelmed. The more advanced packages come bundled with step-by-step instructions and handle more intricate deductions such as home mortgages and various business expenditures, but can cost you an upwards of-$150 depending on what you plan to do with them. Regardless of which package you opt for, though, TurboTax features one of the sleekest interfaces around and robust support for importing W-2 and 1099 forms. Tax experts also provide expert advice when need be, as does the active user community, and though it may not be for everyone, the service lets you opt for a Amazon gift card instead of a traditional refund, and TurboTax will tack 5 percent on the card. Federal (free) | State (varies) Web ---iOS- --Android H&R Block H&R Block is another solid alternative for e-filing your taxes online, but it doesn’t offer as in-depth help as some of it online competitors. Like TurboTax, the free edition also offers a vast array of forms and schedules such as the 1040 form and schedules A, B, C, H and R. The software becomes more comprehensive and effective the higher up you go in price, bringing in step-by-step instructions and expanding the schedule lineup, but the site can prove cumbersome at times due to poor navigation tools. Each tier still supports data import and deduction guidance, though, along with an extensive refund program that allows you to put a portion or all of your refund toward the purchase of a gift card from the likes of Best Buy, Home Depot, Staples, and numerous others. H&R Block will also add either 5 or 10 percent to the refund amount if you choose the latter of option, too, depending on which package you opt for. Best of all, if you happen to have trouble filing online, the service offers in-person audit support at no additional cost to you. Federal (free) | State ($10) Web --iOS ---Android TaxACT TaxACT’s best selling point is its rock-bottom pricing, which sadly, comes at the expense of advanced features and cleanliness. It’s a bit more barebones than some of the more popular competitors, but both the free and paid editions offer almost the same set of features, including your standard forms and schedules (i.e. 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ). Opting for the premium versions will grant you access to more features — such as tax data from prior years, donation assistance, and robust phone support — but the free federal edition is still worthwhile if you’re exempt from paying state taxes. The service’s lackluster interface and navigation leave much to be desired, too, yet it still touts an extensive library of video and text assistance that spans an array of common tax issues regarding penalties and law. TaxACT also allows you to file your tax return out of sequence, which is rather nice if you want to skip a particular section and come back to it later. Federal (free) | State (varies) Web ---iOS ---Android TaxSlayer TaxSlayer is another affordable option, but it’s pretty limited in its capabilities and scope. The service isn’t very conversational, particularly given the user interface is sorely outdated and lacks any sort of comprehensive context, but it remains one of the more inexpensive packages and boasts support for an excellent range of IRS forms (i.e. W-2, 1040, Schedule EIC). The service also provides email and phone support regardless of which package you choose, though, you won’t be able to pull last year’s data or talk with a tax professional unless you opt for one of the higher-tiered offerings. The built-in guidance will be enough for users filing a simple return, even if the help menu does often provide non-pertinent information and link out to a host of other sites, providing-new or returning users a basic means for filing their taxes without consulting elsewhere. Still, the service is in dire need of a more inclusive walkthrough for some of the more complex operations — one more appropriate for businesses and small entrepreneurs. Federal (free) | State ($24) Web ---iOS ---Android eSmart Tax eSmart Tax is Liberty Tax’s online tax software. Depending on your tax scenario, there are different solution tiers available, ranging from free simple returns and going up to $34.95 packages for business owners. As with the other entries on this list, eSmart Tax allows users to file-their federal taxes for free. However, also like the above software choices, you’ll have to fork over some cash in order to file your state taxes. Thankfully, eSmart Tax -includes free technical support and live audit support through live chat with a Liberty Tax CPA, mitigating some of the tax season headache. The software also includes a remarkably convenient and easy import tool, that allows users to import the previous year’s tax information from other Tax services like H&R Block, TaxAct, and TurboTax. So, if you found yourself unhappy with your previous tax software, or are maybe just looking to mix it up and try something new, eSmart Tax makes it easy to continue where you left off last year. Federal (Free) | -State ($26.95) Web Also watch: Street Fighter V Dated for February of 2016 Please enable Javascript to watch this video



More...