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SALT LAKE CITY — The infamous April deadline for taxes is still months away, but there is no need to delay.
With the help of online tax services, filing federal and state returns is easier and more convenient than ever before. For those who have an adjusted gross income of less than $62,000, many of the software options can even be used for free. The Free File tool on the IRS website can help people in that category find the best software for their needs.
Below are three of the most reliable software options for preparing taxes. The deadline for federal taxes to be submitted to the IRS this year is April 18, a few days later than the traditional date. The Utah state tax deadline is also April 18.
TurboTax
Like most companies, TurboTax offers multiple versions of its software to meet different needs. All the programs allow people to "jump-start" their refunds by simply uploading a photo of their W-2 form, which the software uses to import data into the appropriate forms.
With TurboTax, people can file a federal 1040EZ/A and state taxes for free if they meet several requirements, like earning less than $100,000 and not owning a home. There are videos to explain the process, and the software guides users to take advantage of various tax credits.
The next tier of the software, designed to maximize tax deductions by taking into account factors like charitable donations and property taxes, costs $36.99 to file both federal and state taxes. Taxes are filed electronically through all versions of the software, so refunds often arrive quickly.
H&R Block
Both Utah Tax Help and United Way's My Free Taxes direct traffic to H&R Block's free online version. Those who earned less than $62,000 in the previous year qualify to file free federal and state taxes through the program.
The benefit of this company's services is that it comes with free support from real tax representatives, both online and in person. Technical support is also available for people who use H&R Block's paid services.
People who don't qualify for H&R Block's free version can use the basic version of the software to file state and federal taxes starting at $9.99. The deluxe version, which costs $34.99, was designed for homeowners and investors. It includes guidance for home mortgage interest deductions and charitable donations, in addition to instructions on how to report investments.
TaxAct
All versions of TaxAct — including its free software — can be used online or downloaded to a desktop. TaxAct Free lets anyone using a 1040EZ/A file both their state and federal taxes without paying anything.
Compared with TurboTax and H&R Block, TaxAct's more advanced software is significantly less expensive for a similar experience. The "plus" version, which is intended for homeowners and investors, only costs $14.99. Contractors and others who are self-employed can purchase the premium version for $24.99.
What tax products do you recommend? Let us know in the comments.
