Do you want to save money on regular purchases and costs that you encounter? You may use these easy, practical money-saving techniques to help you make the most of your budget and leave you with more money at the end of each month to put toward savings and debt repayment, or even treat yourself to something nice.
Make sure to prepare and e-File your 2021 Tax Return in order to save even more money in 2022. You will receive all of the benefits of e-filing your return with online third-party services! Because they offer competitive pricing and collect tax credits on your behalf, they will help you save money while also receiving your refund to you as fast and efficiently feasible through direct deposit.
If you want to save money while filing your taxes then the following are your best bets.
While TurboTax and H&R Block are likely to be the most popular choices for most e-filers, there are a number of other respectable alternatives. Following extensive market research, these are the top five e-filing alternatives for those seeking the lowest possible price on their tax return. Affiliate relationships with tax software providers exist, and the connections to their websites contain exceptional savings.
Let’s start with my two favorites: H&R Block and TurboTax.
e-file taxes
H&R Block
H&R Block offers a free federal and state version of their software called “Free Online” that has no income or age limits and covers the basics of 1040 tax returns. Using the free version initially, you may simply transfer and upgrade to a different version if you have extra forms in your return at a later time. However, your return must be begun on their website in order to be transferred and upgraded. I’ve been using H&R Block for the past few years and have been pleased with their service. For a limited time, H&R Block is providing a 20 percent discount on its paid editions (Deluxe, Premium, and Self-Employed).
TurboTax
The “Free Edition” of TurboTax is a free basic federal and state e-file version that is intended primarily for uncomplicated tax returns. Whenever you decide to update to a new version of TurboTax, your data is automatically transferred if you begin your return on the TurboTax website. TurboTax’s paid online versions may be accessed here (for a limited time, you can save up to $20 off the premium versions).
It is possible to submit a basic 1040 federal return for free using TaxAct “Free.” However, each state filing requires a fee of $34.95 per state. If you begin your return at taxact.com, you will have the option to upgrade to a different version.
TaxSlayer.
TaxSlayer’s “Simply Free” edition provides a free basic federal and state e-file version, which covers basic 1040s and other tax returns. TaxSlayer’s paid versions are also available at that link, with a discount of 35 percent plus.
IRS Options.
Free File: If your AGI is less than $73,000, your age falls within certain ranges, and you live in certain states, there are “FreeFile” e-file provider options available to you, but none that I would recommend more than the previously mentioned free and paid online programs above, which do not have income or age restrictions. For more information, visit the IRS website. Some of the offerings require you to have an income that is far lower than $73,000, and some of the programs do not allow you to upgrade to a premium version later on if you need to, which means you may have to re-enter all of your information a second time if you do.
Fillable Forms: If your salary is greater than $73,000 (or less than $73,000), and you are looking for employment and have lots of time on your hands, you may fill out forms online using the IRS fillable forms website and then e-file them with the IRS. The major disadvantage of doing this approach is that you are unable to prepare or submit your state tax return through the IRS. This is a major inconvenience since you will have to go to another location to complete your state return. Furthermore, fillable forms are not nearly as straightforward to complete as tax software. You’re figuratively filling out tax documents for the IRS. I would not advocate it – but it is an option that you have for free online tax filing if you so want.
It is important to note that there are no IRS-approved vendors who provide free filing through the Free File Alliance to persons with adjusted gross incomes in excess of $73,000 per year (and many have age, state, and other restrictions as well). In the event that your income is greater and/or you invest, are a homeowner, are the parent of a kid, claim significant tax credits or deductions, have self-employment income, or itemize deductions, I’d recommend using the most appropriate paid TurboTax or H&R Block version.
