How to File or e-File a Tax Return
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We at eFile.com understand how tax preparation can create stress and anxiety for taxpayers. The tax code is complex and difficult to understand; the eFile Less Taxing Song might help to DeTaxStress. We also realize that doing your taxes is a task that, in order to stay out of trouble, is required by the federal and state governments. Yet, if you expect a tax refund, you actually get money - your own money - as a result of a task you might not want to do. We strongly suggest you manage your taxes throughout the year via your W-4 or tax withholding to keep your tax return balanced.
Did you know that the IRS has over 1 billion US Dollars in unclaimed tax refunds? Most likely, these taxpayers didn't want to go through the tax preparation process - as a result, they don't claim this and leave the federal government with 1 billion dollars' worth of their own money.
Nearly 67 million self-prepared returns were e-filed last tax season.1)
Why eFile? Find out!
How to File Taxes Online
We are in this together if you prepare and e-file your taxes via eFile.com. eFile is a self-preparation platform for DIY taxes that walks you through the process with online support before, during, and after e-filing your return(s). Our role is to coach and assist you through the preparation and e-file process on an as needed basis. We respect your privacy and will keep your information safe; you do not need to verify your face to e-file your taxes, nor do you need to submit a "live selfie" to create a free eFile account. For security purposes, you can also create an IRS IP PIN - see more details on identity protection.
IT = Income Taxes and we make IT easier for you.
PrepareIT, but not alone; DoIT and be done with IT.
With tax software like the eFile platform, you may be able to file taxes for free depending on your information. On eFile.com, you can electronically file your taxes via Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or Form 1040-NR as well as a tax extension Form 4868 - see how to file a tax extension.
Here is a high-level step-by-step overview on how eFile.com works when you prepare and e-file your federal and state income taxes. Start a free tax return on eFile.com and use this free tax refund calculator to estimate your taxes before you actually eFileIT . We hope to welcome you to using our platform!
One
Don't rush IT! You can easily miss an income or deduction entry which could result in either higher or lower taxes, potential
tax penalties, and more additional paperwork from the IRS or
state tax agency. If you enter inaccurate information, you may need to file a
tax amendment. Here is
list of tax documents that you might need to file your return; make sure you have your previous year
adjusted gross income - AGI - on hand if you did not file via eFile.com; if you did, it's all in your account. The IRS requires this to file electronically.
Two
Get a feel for your taxes by using these free and easy to use tax calculators. You don't have to calculate on your own; it's all done by the tools. Enter basic amounts without any personal information and get instant results. These are free tax calculators courtesy of eFile.com which use current IRS data to give personalized results without requiring extensive tax knowledge. We have an
income tax calculator, a
Child Tax Credit calculator, and more.
Four
So far so good! You got your account and you made it through the verification code process - maybe you had to fish emails out of your spam folder. Security and convenience don't like each other, but better safe than sorry; it's your tax data after all.
Enjoy the song!
Five
Now it's our turn to step up to the plate; you might need tax help. Trust us, we don't send you around from one page to the next. You will have
your own eFile.com Personal Support Page which you can access from inside the eFile app or from the eFile.com site. You will have one personally assigned Taxpert
® where you don't have to explain your tax situation over and over again as the eFile Taxpert
® will be familiar with your details.
Seven
You will need your
previous year AGI as part of the checkout process as a way to verify your identity and an
IRS issued Identity Protection-PIN if you received one. If your tax return is free on eFile, you simply check out; if your return is more complicated, you can pay the tax preparation fee either by credit card or
e-Collect (Deduct Fee from Refund). Review your completed return for a last check and you are ready to click
eFile My Return. Now, your return will be in
Pending Status with the IRS and/or state agency. During this process, you will receive email updates on the status of your return to the email entered on eFile.com.
Eight
Each time your sign out from the eFile.com app, you will land on the
thank you page with instructions on what to do next in the tax return life cycle process. Even though filing a tax return is an important milestone, the new tax year is already in progress and your
tax planning and savings should start soon.
Nine
Check the IRS refund status tool to monitor your tax refund. Due to extensive IRS delays during COVID your latest Tax Return may be stuck in processing. See more
details on IRS delays and this Taxpayer Advocate release which provides
extensive, specific information causing refund delays. In most cases, the IRS issues refunds within 21 days; state refunds generally take similar processing time.
Tax Return Roadmap
If you ever wondered which steps an IRS tax return might go through, view this
Tax Return Roadmap. Of course, not all tax returns go through all these steps.
If you miss the first tax return deadline, usually around April 15 of the subsequent year for the prior tax year, then you have until mid-October to e-file your return. For example, Tax Returns are generally due on April 15 in the subsequent calendar year. If you miss this deadline, you have until around October 15 to e-file this return. After that, e-filing is closed for that tax year and you will have to prepare and mail a in your Return via paper forms. Find the forms for previous or back taxes here.
Tax Help
e-Filing your taxes on your own is as easy as following the ten simple steps above each year. When you file online, you do not have to worry about late tax penalties and you never have to handle any complicated IRS or state forms; the tax software does it all for you! Compare eFile.com to H&R Block® and TurboTax® and see how much free online tax filing actually costs with other popular tax preparation platforms.
See More:
1) According to the IRS e-File Tax Report; see the linked page for electronic filing tax statistics that are updated based on IRS data courtesy of eFile.com.
TurboTax® is a registered trademark of Intuit, Inc.
H&R Block® is a registered trademark of HRB Innovations, Inc.