Now that the tax season is here, the fears about TurboTax fraud is more punctuated than ever before. Taxpayers were shocked when they heard about TurboTax suspending state tax filings over fraud concerns. Imagine getting the news that someone else filed your tax returns and claimed your hefty tax refund. Fortunately, this problem only affected the state filings, not federal taxes.
Well, this has changed. The details may be sketchy, but the FBI is now investigating claims that federal tax returns may also be affected by this fraud, putting your tax refund in jeopardy. The bureau interviewed taxpayers who claimed that IRS data was compromised, leaving room for fraudulent activities.
Imagine getting a message from the IRS acknowledging receipt of your federal returns even before you do your taxes. Given that all tax filings are done electronically, fraud has become a big threat.
While TurboTax 2015 free version allows taxpayers to make free tax filings, a rival, H&R Block, took advantage of the fraud cases surrounding TurboTax to attract taxpayers who did not want to fall victim to identity theft, among other types of fraudulent activities.
However, it is important to note that no system is perfect, especially when you consider the fact that both the IRS and most states had already put in place sophisticated systems to detect and help prevent theft.
Filing your taxes over the internet can be tedious. However, Turbo Tax Free file enables you to do your taxes absolutely free over the internet. It is equipped with tons of features that will make you go through the process easily either from your house or office. Moreover, it is ideal for businesses, professionals and even those who are self-employed. Each user can file for their simple tax returns and it avails form 1040EZ that you can fill based on your marital status and availability of dependents. Although the free version can help you, it, may not be able to handle emerging complexities in the process making it important to invest in the paid version of the software.
As much as the free online version may not offer you all the exquisite features that you need, you are guaranteed of around the clock customer support. You can reach the department through a dedicated chat platform or make a call in order to talk to an agent who will be able to serve you and resolve your problem. Moreover, there is an online community where you can post your queries and receive answers that you seek. In fact, this forum even allows you to scroll through posts by other users; you can be lucky to find someone who had the same problem as yours, with replies of course.
How to Access Turbo Tax Free
To be able to access Turbo Tax Free, you have to create an account from the Turbo Tax website. Once the account is generated, you can then sign in. The software is only one step away from you. Due to the simplicity of the application’s interface, you do not have to be computer savvy to be able to use it. Furthermore, you can browse through all the sections systematically through very easy to follow steps. Each section comprises of a few questions whose answers are the building blocks of your tax returns and contains definitions of terminologies that may be a little difficult to comprehend. One main feature of Turbo Tax Free file for your taxes is the ability to import data from various sources. This eliminates the tedious data entry work. Upon completion of all the sections, the last page will reveal to you the amount of money you are entitled to as your refund. From there, you can choose to complete the process and file your returns or save what you have prepared so that you can finish at a later time. Federal filling may be free, but you will incur some charges for the state returns.
Day 56 – Tax Time (Photo credit: absoblogginlutely)
Other Key Features of Turbo Tax Free
Whenever you have a refund, Turbo Tax Free enables you to choose a bank product. For example, if you have a state tax return of $500, you can choose a bank product that suits you. This way, the process is transparent. Nevertheless, it is critical to understand that any bank product will have processing and handling charges from the bank. Therefore, deductions will be made for the bank charges and the application process. You can decide to collect the remaining amount through check, direct deposit or a prepaid Visa card.
Turbo Tax Free offers you precise calculations and smart scans for error detection. Furthermore, you are assured of compensation in case of any errors. Lastly, your transaction is always safe with Turbo Tax Free file for your taxes.
Can You Still File 2009 Taxes With Turbo Tax 2009?
Turbo Tax 2009 was released in late 2009 as a way for people to prepare and file their taxes themselves from a computer. The software guided users through the process and helped them to get the biggest tax refund possible. Turbo Tax is updated every year to stay current with tax laws, so to file your taxes you must use the version of the software from that tax year.
Tax Refund Ballerz (Photo credit: bornazombie)
For 2009 taxes, this means you will need to use Turbo Tax 2009. You will not be able to e-file your taxes from 2009, but the software will let you print everything out you need so you can mail it in to the IRS. However, the IRS implements a time limit of three years on requesting tax refunds from any given year. Therefore, tax returns that were due on April 15 of 2009 had to be filed by April 15 of 2013 in order to receive the refund. If you had an extension on your taxes in 2009, which shifted the deadline to October, the latest date to file your return and receive a refund is in October of 2013.
This means that while it is still possible to file 2009 taxes with Turbo Tax 2009, the time period in which most people could actually receive a refund has passed. After the three-year period is gone, there is no way to get back any money you overpaid in taxes. In addition, you can no longer use that year’s refund to help pay taxes owed in another year.
Having expert tax assistance can be the best way to avoid financial penalties, complete your filing on time, and maximize your refund. Timely and beneficial filing may be the goal of any taxpayer, but preparing your taxes on your own may seem like more than you can handle. Going to an accounting office may seem like the best way to get professional guidance at tax time, but new options for online tax filing can make completing your taxes online a great option even if you are new to the online tax filing experience. Free Turbo Tax 2013 software puts the latest tax information right at your fingertips, and estimating your tax refund may be easier and more convenient to complete than you ever imagined.
Turbo Tax software is designed for easy and straightforward use, and this is what makes online tax filing successful for so many taxpayers each year. Selecting the most appropriate Turbo Tax edition may be your biggest challenge as you consider filing your taxes online for the first time, but the Turbo Tax Taxcaster may help you review your online tax filing software options quickly and objectively. The Taxcaster was designed by tax professionals, and this product is characteristic of the helpful software associated with Turbo Tax. You can download the free Taxcaster in several ways, and the app will allow you to download this helpful tool onto your smartphone, iPad, iPhone, or tablet.
The Taxcaster will calculate your refund once you answer a few questions about your deductions and income, and you will be able to see your estimated refund within minutes. Knowing this kind of information before you file your taxes allows you to make adjustments as needed. You may reduce your tax obligation by adjusting your withholdings and increasing your net income, and this is how many taxpayers end up paying less at tax time. The Taxcaster information lets you take advantage of filing as soon as possible if you will be getting a refund or filing closer to the end of the tax season if you will owe money.
You will need to select an online tax filing edition to prepare and file your tax return, but the Taxcaster software will help you make the most informed decision when it comes to filing your taxes online. The Taxcaster will recommend which Turbo Tax software will be right for your filing situation, and this is what may make your online tax filing experience as beneficial as possible. Downloading the Taxcaster may be your first step towards easy and understandable online tax preparation and filing.
A Turbotax refund advance is a simple way for you to get the tax refund that is coming your way without the need to wait months for it to come. Putting off your taxes is probably something that you have done in the past. People usually delay their taxes because of the feeling that they can be very difficult and time consuming. When you use this system to do your taxes, you will find that it becomes something that almost anyone can do. The basic design of this system is intended to function like a GPS by guiding you to where you need to go and providing you with all of the information that you need to know. Increasing your tax savings is simple when you have a program that millions of people use to get their taxes done quickly.
Once you use this program to file your taxes for next year, you will be able to take advantage of a Turbotax refund advance that can give you the money that you would otherwise be without for a long period of time. The money that you are getting in a refund belongs to you, getting it today means that you will be able to buy more of the things that you love. Finding extra money on a limited budget can be hard, getting an advance can solve your problem.
The prevailing fiscal climate has put most small business on the brink of closure. This has been as a result of a myriad of reasons ranging from intense competition from stiff competition from big corporations to a rigid tax regime that is not friendly on small operators at all. It is important for owners of small businesses to actually learn how to reign in the tax cost so that their businesses stay afloat. There are several tax tips that these small business owners ought to incorporate into their operations if they are to have a chance of surviving the prevailing economic conditions. These tips will ensure that they are in good books with the IRS.
The first tip has to do with procrastination as concerns filing of taxes. You gain nothing by delaying tax filing. If anything, you are creating problems for yourself as well as your business. The year or prevailing conditions might be really bad, but the tax collector has to get his dues despite the tough conditions. Instead of dilly dallying and risking some serious fines or a closure, just sort everything out, compile them in an orderly way and then file the tax returns in time. Those who are prone to panic attacks should ensure that they do their filling in good time to avoid return attacks just because of something that could have been avoided altogether.
Avoid thinking too much about the tough economic situation and forge on. This can serve as a serious detractor which will only get you into trouble. Despite the tough times, you will still owe some money in form of taxes. Maximize on net refunds which are as a result of the net operating losses. You might be wondering, when will my tax refund be mailed? Get down to a qualified tax accountant as these refunds tend to be quite substantial and they can help you bridge the tax gap without much hustle. Consult with a qualified accountant as he is the one who is best placed to deal with these refunds. Start appreciating depreciation and identify things that you can take away from your business without hurting the business.
Section 179 of the federal law has provisions for depreciation deductions. There is fast depreciation costs which can be used to save dollars that otherwise would have gone to the taxman. The saved monies can be used for other activities within the business which will end up cushioning the business from further ravages by the economic storms out there.
