Jump to content
The World News Media

5 ways to save on preparing your taxes


Guest Nicole

Recommended Posts

  • Guest
Guest Nicole

People worry a lot about the size of their tax bill this time of year, but the size of the bill simply to do their taxes often induces anxiety as well. Here are five simple ways to cut the cost of tax preparation.

1. Don’t pay for software you can get for free

A recent survey by NerdWallet and Harris Poll found that many taxpayers might be buying name-brand tax software that they could get at no cost through the IRS. That’s because people who made less than $64,000 during the 2016 tax year may qualify for the IRS’ Free File program, which gives them access to software from a range of providers, including big names like H&R Block and Intuit, which makes TurboTax.

If that’s you, the program is worth investigating. The IRS estimated in 2016 that more than 70% of American taxpayers — or about 100 million people — qualify to file their taxes for free through this program.

2. If you do pay for software, compare prices first

According to the NerdWallet survey, 40% of people who use tax software have used the same company for more than five years. Such loyalty can be expensive, because tax software prices change often and vary widely, even among competing versions designed for the same types of returns.

For example, freelancers who need software that can handle a Schedule C might want to compare the features of TurboTax’s online package for self-employed taxpayers, which sells for about $115 (plus $39.99 for a state return), with a similar offering from H&R Block that runs about $80 (plus $39.99 for a state return) or one from TaxSlayer priced at $35 (plus $22 for a state return).

3. Skip bells and whistles you don’t need

You may not need to pay for a provider’s high-end version if its less expensive version is good enough for your tax situation. Look carefully at the differences listed on the packages before you buy; it can cost around $20, sometimes more, to upgrade.

In fact, you may not need to pay at all. Even if you don’t qualify for the Free File option mentioned earlier, if your situation is simple enough many major tax-software providers run promotions that let you file a federal return — and often a state return — for free.

4. Avoid paying for human help if you can get it for free

Tax professionals charge $150 per hour on average to prepare federal and state returns, according to the National Society of Accountants. But many people might be able to get human help with tax prep or questions for free. Here are just some of the options:

  • The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps community groups provide free tax services to people who generally earn $54,000 or less or who have disabilities or limited English skills.
  • The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program gives free tax help to anyone but specializes in issues relevant to older taxpayers.
  • AARP’s Tax-Aide connects people with tax counselors who have advanced IRS training. There’s also an FAQ page where you can submit tax questions to IRS-certified volunteers. You don’t need an AARP membership to get help.
  • Your tax software might come with free help from people via email, phone or online chat, though it’s more common among the higher-end paid versions.
  • Ask your local tax pro. According to the National Society of Accountants, 89% of them offer free client consultations. 

5. Get it together

If you’re hiring a tax preparer, don’t show up the day before the filing deadline, dump a pile of paper scraps on the desk and wish the person luck. You might end up paying hundreds more to get your taxes done. According to the National Society of Accountants, 24% of tax pros charge to expedite returns (the average fee is $85); 22% will hit you with a fee ($79 on average) if you show up with information after a set deadline; and 71% charge extra for disorganized or incomplete files (that runs an average $117).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/04/05/5-ways-save-preparing-your-taxes/99591342/

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Views 721
  • Replies 0
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Popular Days

Popular Days

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Popular Contributors

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • It appears to me that this is a key aspect of the 2030 initiative ideology. While the Rothschilds were indeed influential individuals who were able to sway governments, much like present-day billionaires, the true impetus for change stems from the omnipotent forces (Satan) shaping our world. In this case, there is a false God of this world. However, what drives action within a political framework? Power! What is unfolding before our eyes in today's world? The relentless struggle for power. The overwhelming tide of people rising. We cannot underestimate the direct and sinister influence of Satan in all of this. However, it is up to individuals to decide how they choose to worship God. Satanism, as a form of religion, cannot be regarded as a true religion. Consequently, just as ancient practices of child sacrifice had a place in God's world, such sacrifices would never be accepted by the True God of our universe. Despite the promising 2030 initiative for those involved, it is unfortunately disintegrating due to the actions of certain individuals in positions of authority. A recent incident serves as a glaring example, involving a conflict between peaceful Muslims and a Jewish representative that unfolded just this week. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/11/us-delegation-saudi-arabia-kippah?ref=upstract.com Saudi Arabia was among the countries that agreed to the initiative signed by approximately 179 nations in or around 1994. However, this initiative is now being undermined by the devil himself, who is sowing discord among the delegates due to the ongoing Jewish-Hamas (Palestine) conflict. Fostering antisemitism. What kind of sacrifice does Satan accept with the death of babies and children in places like Gaza, Ukraine, and other conflicts around the world, whether in the past or present, that God wouldn't? Whatever personal experiences we may have had with well-known individuals, true Christians understand that current events were foretold long ago, and nothing can prevent them from unfolding. What we are witnessing is the result of Satan's wrath upon humanity, as was predicted. A true religion will not involve itself in the politics of this world, as it is aware of the many detrimental factors associated with such engagement. It understands the true intentions of Satan for this world and wisely chooses to stay unaffected by them.
    • This idea that Satan can put Jews in power implies that God doesn't want Jews in power. But that would also imply that God only wants "Christians" including Hitler, Biden, Pol Pot, Chiang Kai-Shek, etc. 
    • @Mic Drop, I don't buy it. I watched the movie. It has all the hallmarks of the anti-semitic tropes that began to rise precipitously on social media during the last few years - pre-current-Gaza-war. And it has similarities to the same anti-semitic tropes that began to rise in Europe in the 900's to 1100's. It was back in the 500s AD/CE that many Khazars failed to take or keep land they fought for around what's now Ukraine and southern Russia. Khazars with a view to regaining power were still being driven out into the 900's. And therefore they migrated to what's now called Eastern Europe. It's also true that many of their groups converted to Judaism after settling in Eastern Europe. It's possibly also true that they could be hired as mercenaries even after their own designs on empire had dwindled.  But I think the film takes advantage of the fact that so few historical records have ever been considered reliable by the West when it comes to these regions. So it's easy to fill the vacuum with some very old antisemitic claims, fables, rumors, etc..  The mention of Eisenhower in the movie was kind of a giveaway, too. It's like, Oh NO! The United States had a Jew in power once. How on earth could THAT have happened? Could it be . . . SATAN??" Trying to tie a connection back to Babylonian Child Sacrifice Black Magick, Secret Satanism, and Baal worship has long been a trope for those who need to think that no Jews like the Rothschilds and Eisenhowers (????) etc would not have been able to get into power in otherwise "Christian" nations without help from Satan.    Does child sacrifice actually work to gain power?? Does drinking blood? Does pedophilia??? (also mentioned in the movie) Yes, it's an evil world and many people have evil ideologies based on greed and lust and ego. But how exactly does child sacrifice or pedophilia or drinking blood produce a more powerful nation or cabal of some kind? To me that's a giveaway that the authors know that the appeal will be to people who don't really care about actual historical evidence. Also, the author(s) of the video proved that they have not done much homework, but are just trying to fill that supposed knowledge gap by grasping at old paranoid and prejudicial premises. (BTW, my mother and grandmother, in 1941 and 1942, sat next to Dwight Eisenhower's mother at an assembly of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Eisenhower family had been involved in a couple of "Christian" religions and a couple of them associated with IBSA and JWs for many years.)
  • Members

    • Pudgy

      Pudgy 2,380

      Member
      Joined:
      Last active:
    • T.J

      T.J 0

      Member
      Joined:
      Last active:
  • Recent Status Updates

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      65.4k
    • Total Posts
      158.9k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      17,669
    • Most Online
      1,592

    Newest Member
    Miracle Pete
    Joined
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Service Confirmation Terms of Use Privacy Policy Guidelines We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.