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Free Tax Filing Toolbox: 25 Sites for Online Tools, Printable Forms, and More

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Whether you expect a refund or not, you still need to file. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, there is no lack of Web sites that provide tools, forms and filing options. Here are 25 Web sites that can make your tax season a little smoother.

It’s tax season! That means it’s time to file your tax return. Whether you expect a refund or not, you still need to file. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, there is no lack of Web sites that provide tools, forms and filing options. And many of them are free. Here are 25 Web sites that can make your tax season a little smoother.

bayh_tax_cutFirst of all, I’d like to share three rather helpful general tax Web sites:
  1. IRS.gov: If you want to talk about going to the source, the IRS Web site is it. Free downloads of forms, schedules and instructions, as well as helping filing your tax return. And, if you are looking for a list of partners in the IRS Free File program, you can find them on this Web site as well. All sorts of information — from filing an extension to setting up a tax payment plan — is available for free.
  2. About.com has a great tax resource center. Tax planning advice, tax rate information, forms and more are all available at the U.S. tax planning site on About.com.
  3. Taxalicious is a search engine for all things taxes. You can get federal forms and tables, as well as information on business tax and state taxes.

Filing Your Taxes

There are several Web sites that offer online tax filing services. Some of them can even help you file online for free as part of the aforementioned Free File program from the IRS.
  1. TaxACT: One of the original free federal tax filing organizations. TaxACT can help you find and fill out forms, as well as file your taxes online. The site also features videos that illustrate filling out the forms, and a deduction examiner. For a fee, you can get access to even more tools and help filling out your state income tax return, as well as tax-related forms, such as the FAFSA.
  2. H&R Block offers its TaxCut software online to help you file your taxes. There is a free federal edition with efile that you can use online. Of course, the more complex your taxes become, the more the fees start. You get access to tax tips and calculators when you visit H&R Block.
  3. Jackson Hewitt has a Web site that is designed mainly to encourage you to go in to an office to have your return prepared (download a $30 discount!), but there are some helpful free tools available at Jackson Hewitt, including information on tax deductions related to your work, a W2 download and information on tax law changes.
  4. TurboTax: Located on the Intuit Web site, TurboTax offers free software for simple federal tax returns. Of course, free efile is included with your return. If you have a more complicated tax return, or you want to do your state return, a fee is required. TurboTax comes with a deduction maximizer on its deluxe version and higher. Features a discount on paid software if you file before March 27.
  5. ifileonline.com: You can get started for free, getting everything prepared. You aren’t actually charged until you go to print out your return, or if you file online. When you get started, the site helps you find the proper forms.
  6. IncomeTaxPro.net offers printable forms for state and federal taxes. You can also get access to tax preparation software and find efile help.
  7. FileLater is for those who want to file an extension. However, there is a fee associated with this service (you can file for free elsewhere). There is a good resource page, though, with answers to questions about filing an extension.
  8. CFS Tax Software is actually a site for tax professionals. You can get what you need to help others file their taxes. I found it a valuable resource for those who are looking to set up a business helping others manage their tax-related needs.

Tools for tracking deductions

We all need help every once in a while with keeping track of our credits and deductible expense. Luckily, there are online tax tools — many of them free — that can help you keep tabs on credits and deductions.
  1. CharityDeductions.com provides a place where you can keep track of your donations, cash and goods. There is a handy calculator that helps you figure out the fair market value of your donations as well. You still have to keep your receipts, but CharityDeductions.com helps you organize your information. And, before you donate goods, you can add up the market value so you know what to tell the thrift store. It does cost $19.95 per year, but if you give stuff away a lot, it turns out tomore than pay for itself — provided you have been underestimating your donations. Forms and other tax preparation tools are also available on this site.
  2. DeductionTraQ is a free charity deduction offering. It, too, can help you organize your charitable donations and find fair market value for donated items. You can print form 8283 (customizable) and print out other reports. There are services that cost money, in addition to the basic free edition.
  3. QuickMile: If you drive a lot for work, or if you keep track of mileage for your charity work, this software can help you keep track of your mileage for tax deduction purposes. It works with Palm, and you can back your records up on your computer. It is free to try, but with limited funcionality. You have to buy it for functionality. Bonus: MileageWiz offers a similar service.
  4. Outright provides software aimed at small and home businesses. It is especially aimed at helping organize information in a way that helps businesses organize for tax season. It helps you keep track of Schedule C expenses and other deductions, as well as providing tools that can help you pay estimated taxes on time. There are free services, along with some paid products.
  5. Federal Tax Calculator iPhone Web app: So it’s not really a deduction tracker. But it can help you quickly calculate your expected tax requirement or refund. It includes tax tables to help you quickly find your tax bracket and figure your approximate tax.

Blogs about taxes

Sometimes, when you’re looking for information, nothing beats a blog from a knowledgeable professional or expert. Here are nine blogs that can point you to more tax information, tools, tips and even forms and schedules in some cases. Warning: Some blogs may be a little behind on posting — it is the busy season after all!
  1. TaxProf Blog: Written by Paul Caron, the Charles Hartsock Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati, this blog contains a number of helpful tips and answers to questions about taxes. A number of useful links are also available on this blog.
  2. Tax Foundation Blog: This is the official blog of the non-partisan Tax Foundation. Tax news and information, as well resources and links to commonly addressed tax topics.
  3. Tax Relief Blog offers specific help and information about taxes and obtaining tax relief. It is the official blog of Roni Deutch, the “tax lady.”
  4. Taxgirl provides up to date tax information and changes. She is a lawyer, and discusses tax issues with savvy and sassy style.
  5. A Taxing Matter represents the efforts of a law professor at Wayne State. She specializes in federal income tax, and teaches classes on that subject.
  6. Tax Tips Blog: Just what it sounds like. A number of interesting tips to help you minimize your taxes.
  7. The Tax Lawyer’s Blog provides resources, insights and tax solutions. Easy to find links on various topics of taxing importance.
  8. Taxguy: Offers helpful hints and information about tax preparation. Great information and clarification for those who want to understand taxes a little better.
  9. Tax Loopholes represents the efforts of two knowledgeable tax experts. Devoted to helping readers find ways to legally pay less in taxes.

Image...
Whether you expect a refund or not, you still need to file. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, there is no lack of Web sites that provide tools, forms and filing options. Here are 25 Web sites that can make your tax season a little smoother.

It’s tax season! That means it’s time to file your tax return. Whether you expect a refund or not, you still need to file. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, there is no lack of Web sites that provide tools, forms and filing options. And many of them are free. Here are 25 Web sites that can make your tax season a little smoother.

bayh_tax_cutFirst of all, I’d like to share three rather helpful general tax Web sites:
  1. IRS.gov: If you want to talk about going to the source, the IRS Web site is it. Free downloads of forms, schedules and instructions, as well as helping filing your tax return. And, if you are looking for a list of partners in the IRS Free File program, you can find them on this Web site as well. All sorts of information — from filing an extension to setting up a tax payment plan — is available for free.
  2. About.com has a great tax resource center. Tax planning advice, tax rate information, forms and more are all available at the U.S. tax planning site on About.com.
  3. Taxalicious is a search engine for all things taxes. You can get federal forms and tables, as well as information on business tax and state taxes.

Filing Your Taxes

There are several Web sites that offer online tax filing services. Some of them can even help you file online for free as part of the aforementioned Free File program from the IRS.
  1. TaxACT: One of the original free federal tax filing organizations. TaxACT can help you find and fill out forms, as well as file your taxes online. The site also features videos that illustrate filling out the forms, and a deduction examiner. For a fee, you can get access to even more tools and help filling out your state income tax return, as well as tax-related forms, such as the FAFSA.
  2. H&R Block offers its TaxCut software online to help you file your taxes. There is a free federal edition with efile that you can use online. Of course, the more complex your taxes become, the more the fees start. You get access to tax tips and calculators when you visit H&R Block.
  3. Jackson Hewitt has a Web site that is designed mainly to encourage you to go in to an office to have your return prepared (download a $30 discount!), but there are some helpful free tools available at Jackson Hewitt, including information on tax deductions related to your work, a W2 download and information on tax law changes.
  4. TurboTax: Located on the Intuit Web site, TurboTax offers free software for simple federal tax returns. Of course, free efile is included with your return. If you have a more complicated tax return, or you want to do your state return, a fee is required. TurboTax comes with a deduction maximizer on its deluxe version and higher. Features a discount on paid software if you file before March 27.
  5. ifileonline.com: You can get started for free, getting everything prepared. You aren’t actually charged until you go to print out your return, or if you file online. When you get started, the site helps you find the proper forms.
  6. IncomeTaxPro.net offers printable forms for state and federal taxes. You can also get access to tax preparation software and find efile help.
  7. FileLater is for those who want to file an extension. However, there is a fee associated with this service (you can file for free elsewhere). There is a good resource page, though, with answers to questions about filing an extension.
  8. CFS Tax Software is actually a site for tax professionals. You can get what you need to help others file their taxes. I found it a valuable resource for those who are looking to set up a business helping others manage their tax-related needs.

Tools for tracking deductions

We all need help every once in a while with keeping track of our credits and deductible expense. Luckily, there are online tax tools — many of them free — that can help you keep tabs on credits and deductions.
  1. CharityDeductions.com provides a place where you can keep track of your donations, cash and goods. There is a handy calculator that helps you figure out the fair market value of your donations as well. You still have to keep your receipts, but CharityDeductions.com helps you organize your information. And, before you donate goods, you can add up the market value so you know what to tell the thrift store. It does cost $19.95 per year, but if you give stuff away a lot, it turns out tomore than pay for itself — provided you have been underestimating your donations. Forms and other tax preparation tools are also available on this site.
  2. DeductionTraQ is a free charity deduction offering. It, too, can help you organize your charitable donations and find fair market value for donated items. You can print form 8283 (customizable) and print out other reports. There are services that cost money, in addition to the basic free edition.
  3. QuickMile: If you drive a lot for work, or if you keep track of mileage for your charity work, this software can help you keep track of your mileage for tax deduction purposes. It works with Palm, and you can back your records up on your computer. It is free to try, but with limited funcionality. You have to buy it for functionality. Bonus: MileageWiz offers a similar service.
  4. Outright provides software aimed at small and home businesses. It is especially aimed at helping organize information in a way that helps businesses organize for tax season. It helps you keep track of Schedule C expenses and other deductions, as well as providing tools that can help you pay estimated taxes on time. There are free services, along with some paid products.
  5. Federal Tax Calculator iPhone Web app: So it’s not really a deduction tracker. But it can help you quickly calculate your expected tax requirement or refund. It includes tax tables to help you quickly find your tax bracket and figure your approximate tax.

Blogs about taxes

Sometimes, when you’re looking for information, nothing beats a blog from a knowledgeable professional or expert. Here are nine blogs that can point you to more tax information, tools, tips and even forms and schedules in some cases. Warning: Some blogs may be a little behind on posting — it is the busy season after all!
  1. TaxProf Blog: Written by Paul Caron, the Charles Hartsock Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati, this blog contains a number of helpful tips and answers to questions about taxes. A number of useful links are also available on this blog.
  2. Tax Foundation Blog: This is the official blog of the non-partisan Tax Foundation. Tax news and information, as well resources and links to commonly addressed tax topics.
  3. Tax Relief Blog offers specific help and information about taxes and obtaining tax relief. It is the official blog of Roni Deutch, the “tax lady.”
  4. Taxgirl provides up to date tax information and changes. She is a lawyer, and discusses tax issues with savvy and sassy style.
  5. A Taxing Matter represents the efforts of a law professor at Wayne State. She specializes in federal income tax, and teaches classes on that subject.
  6. Tax Tips Blog: Just what it sounds like. A number of interesting tips to help you minimize your taxes.
  7. The Tax Lawyer’s Blog provides resources, insights and tax solutions. Easy to find links on various topics of taxing importance.
  8. Taxguy: Offers helpful hints and information about tax preparation. Great information and clarification for those who want to understand taxes a little better.
  9. Tax Loopholes represents the efforts of two knowledgeable tax experts. Devoted to helping readers find ways to legally pay less in taxes.