Millions of taxpayers turn to the internet for heip with the tax filing process (NAPSA)—For most taxpayers, filing taxes ranks high on the Hist of life’s unpleasant experiences. Yet by waiting until the last minute to prepare to file their taxes, many Americans make fil- ing more of a burdensome process than it needs to be. By planning ahead and getting a jumpstart on the tax filing process, taxpayers can avoid the stress and anxiety of last-minutetax filing. The intreduction of the Internet as a tax filing resource has helped millions of consumers significantly reduce the time spent on planning and filing. By tapping into helpful online resources like the IRS Website GQvww.irs.gev) or the Yahoo! Finance Tax Center (http://taxes.yahoo.com) consumers can find a wealth of tax tools and services designed to make tax filing a breeze. “We started IRS e-file in 1986, but in recent years there’s been a phenomenal growth in electronic filing. Millions of people recognize its convenience and security,” said Bob Wenzel, Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. As the April 15" deadline draws near, consider the following checklist to keep organized: * Choose the best wayto file---According to the IRS, more than 9.4 million taxpayers—an increase of 27.6 percent from 2001—e-filed their returns from a Tax time can be less taxing if you plan ahead and take advan- tage of resources on the Internet. pare your taxes and should have arrived in the mail by the endof danuary. * Reviewthe recent tax law changes—Hundreds of new laws are passed every year, many of which directly benefit consumers. Read up on just how these new laws will affect your filing and refund or amount of taxes owed. Most updated tax information is available to consumers on the internet, free of charge. *Know what you owe-Online tax calculators offer easyto-read tables and require no paper or guesswork. With just a few clicks, tax calculators acecu- home computer in 2001. By using an online tax filing service, taxpay- rately crunch numbers and provide you with an estimate of your refund or debt. * Ensure your payment arrives safely—tif you owe pay- quickly and easily. Taxpayers like Link2Gov.com provide a safe, secure and convenient means of ers can prepare and submit tax returns electronically to the IRS answer a series of easy-to-understand questions and the program automatically completes required IRS tax forms, double checks for errors and missed deductions, and even guarantees accurate calculations. In 2603, at least 60 percent (78 million) of individual taxpayers will be eligible for free electronic filing services. Eligibility requirements are available at www.irs.gov beginning in mid-January 2003. * Waich for employer tax forms in the mail (W-2s)—Keep an eye out for tax forms and infor- mation from employers for the previous calendar year. All of these forms are necessary to pre- ment to the government, services submitting payments over the phone or Internet directly to the IRS, whether you’ve filed online, by mail or by phone. * Keep accurate records— T’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s return. Online tax filers can automatically store their returns on their personal computer for quick reference, but should always keep a hard copy on hand, just in case. Stay ahead of tax deadlines by visiting resources like the IRS Web site or Yahoo! Finance Tax Center for detailed tips on filing procedures and e-filing options. And happyfiling for 2005.
