Extension Filers Can Still e-file Tax Returns
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would like employers to remind their employees who were not able to meet the April 15, 2008, tax filing deadline that they can still Prepare and submit their returns electronically. Also, those who earned $54,000 or less last year can still use Free File to e-file their returns for free through the October 15, 2008, extended filing season.
Benefits of e-filing
"e -filing has many benefits," according to David R. Williams, Director, Electronic Tax Administration, IRS. "It is safe, easy and quick to use. And it’s more accurate than filling out a paper return, since many people make errors when they don’t have the benefit of a software program to check their math calculations or prompt them as to the appropriate deductions or credits." "O ther benefits of e-filing are that taxpayers can get their refunds much faster than by paper filing," continued Williams. "And when e-filing is combined with Direct Deposit, refunds can arrive in as little as 10 days. E-filing is also the safest way to send a return and you’ll get an emailed confirmation to say that the IRS received it."
Many Can e-file For Free
One e-file option is Free File. This free online tax preparation and e-filing
program was created through a partnership agreement between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a coalition of tax preparation companies.More than 97 million Americans qualify to use Free File, which is available to those who earned $54,000 or less in 2007. The program can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer that has Internet access, by visiting www.irs.gov and clicking on "Free File."
e-filing Is Safe
Since the IRS began accepting e-filing in 1986, more than half a billion returns have been electronically received. And in those 21 years, not one transmission has been broken into or compromised! No data has been lost. Nor have any disclosures occurred during those transactions. In 2007, 80 million returns were e-filed. Employees who e-file their tax returns can be confident in the safety measures that have been built into the program at every level—from the software companies transmitting the data to the IRS e-file system itself. But employees can maximize the security of their returns by ensuring the safety of their own computers. First, employess should make sure that they use a secured computer with
updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Second, they should not use peer-to-peer (P2P) software on any computer where personal, identifiable information is stored. But if they must, they should make sure that the personal data is in an encrypted directory or one that the peer-to-peer community cannot access. Third, when transmitting data, employess should look for a "closed lock" icon on their screen as well as "s" added to the end of "http" in the address line. Lastly, employees should use tax preparation and filing software programs and vendors approved by the IRS. A list is maintained at www.irs.gov for their reference, including an approved list of Free File companies.
Using Tax Preparers
Employees who use tax professionals to prepare their returns also shouldconsider asking them to e-file. "Although some tax preparers may charge afee, you won’t have to worry about the mail getting through and e-file is so accurate that you are 99 percent less likely to receive subsequent correspondence from the IRS," said Williams. So whether employees have requested a six-month’s filing extension or
are just heeding good advice for next year, e-filing is the smart way to go at tax time.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would like employers to remind their employees who were not able to meet the April 15, 2008, tax filing deadline that they can still Prepare and submit their returns electronically. Also, those who earned $54,000 or less last year can still use Free File to e-file their returns for free through the October 15, 2008, extended filing season.
Benefits of e-filing
"e -filing has many benefits," according to David R. Williams, Director, Electronic Tax Administration, IRS. "It is safe, easy and quick to use. And it’s more accurate than filling out a paper return, since many people make errors when they don’t have the benefit of a software program to check their math calculations or prompt them as to the appropriate deductions or credits." "O ther benefits of e-filing are that taxpayers can get their refunds much faster than by paper filing," continued Williams. "And when e-filing is combined with Direct Deposit, refunds can arrive in as little as 10 days. E-filing is also the safest way to send a return and you’ll get an emailed confirmation to say that the IRS received it."
Many Can e-file For Free
One e-file option is Free File. This free online tax preparation and e-filing
program was created through a partnership agreement between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a coalition of tax preparation companies.More than 97 million Americans qualify to use Free File, which is available to those who earned $54,000 or less in 2007. The program can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer that has Internet access, by visiting www.irs.gov and clicking on "Free File."
e-filing Is Safe
Since the IRS began accepting e-filing in 1986, more than half a billion returns have been electronically received. And in those 21 years, not one transmission has been broken into or compromised! No data has been lost. Nor have any disclosures occurred during those transactions. In 2007, 80 million returns were e-filed. Employees who e-file their tax returns can be confident in the safety measures that have been built into the program at every level—from the software companies transmitting the data to the IRS e-file system itself. But employees can maximize the security of their returns by ensuring the safety of their own computers. First, employess should make sure that they use a secured computer with
updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Second, they should not use peer-to-peer (P2P) software on any computer where personal, identifiable information is stored. But if they must, they should make sure that the personal data is in an encrypted directory or one that the peer-to-peer community cannot access. Third, when transmitting data, employess should look for a "closed lock" icon on their screen as well as "s" added to the end of "http" in the address line. Lastly, employees should use tax preparation and filing software programs and vendors approved by the IRS. A list is maintained at www.irs.gov for their reference, including an approved list of Free File companies.
Using Tax Preparers
Employees who use tax professionals to prepare their returns also shouldconsider asking them to e-file. "Although some tax preparers may charge afee, you won’t have to worry about the mail getting through and e-file is so accurate that you are 99 percent less likely to receive subsequent correspondence from the IRS," said Williams. So whether employees have requested a six-month’s filing extension or
are just heeding good advice for next year, e-filing is the smart way to go at tax time.
Labels: E-filing Taxes Online is Beneficial to Extension Filers
