The wait is over! As of today, January 9, 2026, the IRS Free File system is officially open for business. While the IRS won’t start processing returns until the general tax season opens on January…
The Truth About “Paying Tax Prep Fees With Your Refund” Millions of taxpayers choose the convenience of paying H&R Block’s tax preparation fees out of the refund, instead of upfront using a debit or credit…
Why Your Software’s Tracking Status Lies to You Many taxpayers are shocked when their tax software confidently declares:“Your refund is on its way!”But the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool shows… nothing. This is not a…
Tax software doesn’t want you using these resources — because if you did, you wouldn’t need their $29 “expert chat,” $39 “audit support,” or $49 “live help” upgrades.There are FREE ways to get accurate, professional…
Tax software companies have mastered the art of getting you in for “free” — and then upselling you on add-ons that sound valuable but usually do nothing for your refund or your protection. They prey…
Not all tax preparation companies treat your privacy equally. Some truly protect your data — and others quietly monetize it through marketing partnerships and analytics sharing. Today, we break down which companies explicitly commit to…
Tax software companies are trusted with the most sensitive personal data you possess — income, SSNs, birthdates, bank numbers, dependent info, even employment history. But not every tax prep platform treats your data as securely…
Every year millions of taxpayers click “Add Audit Protection” when filing with a tax software or tax preparer. It sounds comforting — like a shield that stands between you and the IRS. But here is…
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) introduced new deductions and credits that directly impact the size of your refund. But as these tax rules become more complex, tax software services are quietly adjusting their pricing…
Where to File Your Taxes for Free Now That the IRS Direct File Pilot Is Gone The IRS Direct File system was launched with great anticipation — a government-run portal that would allow taxpayers to…
The Data You Enter vs. The Data the IRS Uses Are Not the Same Every tax season, millions of filers become frustrated when the refund amount shown in TurboTax, H&R Block, or other tax software…
Will Filing Directly With the IRS Force TurboTax and H&R Block to Adapt? The IRS is introducing a new way to file taxes — the Direct File system, a government-operated digital filing platform that allows…
Why “Free” Filing Tools May Be Costing You Hundreds—Or Even Thousands—This Tax Season Every year, tax software companies advertise the same promise: “File for free.” And for some taxpayers with very simple returns, this can…
Understanding Form 8867, IRS Compliance Checks, and How Tax Preparer Reviews Can Slow Down Refunds Many taxpayers assume that using a paid tax preparer makes the refund process faster and smoother. But for millions of…
Tax season can feel overwhelming, but being prepared makes all the difference. Before you hit “submit” on your tax return, there are some important things every taxpayer should remember to ensure your filing goes smoothly…
There are steps people, including those who received stimulus payments or advance child tax credit payments, can take now to make sure their tax filing experience goes smoothly in 2022. They can start by visiting the Get Ready…
A taxpayer’s filing status defines the type of tax return form they should use when filing their taxes. Filing status can affect the amount of tax they owe, and it may even determine if they…
Even with the extended tax filing deadline this year, some taxpayers may still have needed extra time to file their taxes. Most tax software companies make it easy to file Form 4868 to ensure their clients get…
Tax season is quickly approaching, and the sooner you get your information in order, the better. The first thing to do is to get your W-2. A W-2 form is a statement of annual earnings and taxes…
The Internal Revenue Service has issued an urgent warning to tax professionals over a new scam in which cyber-criminals impersonate the IRS over email in an attempt to steal Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs). Carrying…
Are you wondering if there’s a hard and fast rule about what income is taxable and what income is not taxable? The quick answer is that all income is taxable unless the law specifically excludes…
The first step of tax preparation is gathering records As taxpayers get ready to file their tax returns, they should start by gathering their records. Taxpayers should gather all year-end income documents to help ensure…
The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the nation’s tax season will start on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns. The Internal Revenue Service…
IRS Free File – online tax preparation products available at no charge – January 15, 2021, giving taxpayers an early opportunity to claim credits like the Recovery Rebate Credit and other deductions, the Internal Revenue…
The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions in the final weeks of the year to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021. This is the third in a…
The tax filing season is upon us, and many people will be looking for someone to help them file a tax return. Taxpayers should choose their tax return preparer wisely. This is because it’s ultimately the taxpayer who…
Who Qualifies for Free File You’re eligible if: Many seniors who rely on Social Security and perhaps a small pension easily meet those criteria. Why Free File Is Great for Seniors and Retirees For seniors…
The first step in planning for the year’s tax liability is filling out a W-4 form for your employer. Most people do not even know what a W-4 is let alone how to fill one…
Of all the intricacies of tax preparation, few aspects are as beneficial as electronic filing or e-filing. Not only is this advantageous to the Internal Revenue Service, as it reduces paperwork, it is also a…
Unfiled Tax Returns Some people avoid filing their tax returns because they don’t want to, or can’t afford to pay taxes they owe to the IRS. Others simply forget or don’t know they need to…
What are tax preparation options? There are multiple tax preparation options you can choose from. Once you’ve gathered all the tax documents needed, you can now decide if you want to file your taxes by…
Before you start your search, you might be wondering about all the different kinds of tax pros out there or who can do your taxes. Basically, anyone can call himself a tax preparer and file…
One of the biggest decisions taxpayers face each year is how to file their tax returns. Last year, 86%, nearly 132 million, of tax returns were filed with tax software. But out of those computer-prepared…
Understanding IRS Reject Codes, E-File Errors, and What to Do Next A rejected tax return can feel alarming, but rejection does not mean you are under audit or that the IRS has denied your refund.…
Protecting Your Personal Information Starts Before You File When most taxpayers think about identity theft, they imagine hackers breaking into the IRS, stealing Social Security numbers, and filing fraudulent returns. But the biggest weak spot…