People have the tendency to file their taxes in the same manner that they have done so in the previous years. While this is a good thing as the ultimate goal of this endeavor is to have taxes filed, people may want to explore other ways of filing their tax returns. Various methods are available and each has its own pros and cons. Depending on your specific circumstance, one way may be better than the other.
Think about a business owner who, instead of referring to a tax professional, would rather calculate and file taxes by himself/herself. This is perfectly fine but some occasions would necessitate the experience of a tax professional who can offer suggestions in avoiding legal troubles and provide tips in taking advantage of as many tax deductions as possible.
The use of a tax preparation software is one of the most popular methods in filing tax returns. The tax return industry was somehow revolutionized by this method. But in certain situations and depending on the previous IRS problems experienced by the taxpayer, this may not always be the best solution for everyone. Other methods include e-filing, online tax preparation, free filing through the IRS, traditional pen and paper forms, and hiring a professional tax preparer.
The IRS receives thousands and millions of tax returns from individual taxpayers, businesses and corporations every year. With the myriad of methods available, it seems hard to identify which one is best for you. Your specific situation will have a major influence on what the best method for you is. Hence, it's important to examine the needs and other aspects of your situation first before you decide on which filing method to use.
The use of the traditional paper forms are not the best alternative for some people. This is especially applicable to someone who has made many charitable contributions, has spent money on office supplies for their job, travels a lot, and has also earned money from investments like mutual funds and stocks and bonds. Before any tax return is accomplished, there's still a lot of financial data to be analyzed and considered. The goal is to maximize deductions, and minimize how much the IRS will should actually consider as taxable income - which may lead to a bigger refund and avoidance of IRS problems.
Generally, the IRS has no major preference on what filing procedure must be used by people in filing for their tax returns. The IRS will welcome tax returns obtained from any of the available procedures as long as it's appropriate for the specific situation and everything is in order.
Certain cases, especially very serious ones, will necessitate the hiring of a professional tax preparer such as an accountant or a lawyer. Their experience and education will make them handle complex issues and situations, and ultimately, assist you in solving problems with the IRS.
