Tax Returns Pages

DIY Tax Return Estimate and eFile Steps

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Once you have gathered all your 2022 tax documents, receipts, and forms - see a detailed tax checklist here - we suggest you take these tax estimation and return preparation steps to maximize your tax refund, reduce your tax liability, and balance your tax return. The steps below will help you optimize your tax return(s) so you get to keep more of your hard-earned money; follow the table below to learn how to e-file taxes or eFileIT.

Follow the eFile.com TickIT outline throughout the year, as Fail to Plan might result in Plan to Fail. Give your paycheck(s) a Taxercise with the eFile.com Taxometer to optimize your W-4-based tax withholding. Do not underestimate the importance of your W-4! Use the eFile.com Paycheck Calculator when you complete your W-4 in 2022. Do not hand over too much in tax withholding per paycheck to the IRS only to get it back sometimes over a year later as your tax refund. This is your money, so let us help you plan wisely during 2022 and beyond.

Want to see how your withholding and tax planning went for the current tax year? Create a free eFile.com account and prepare your 2022 Return! You may qualify for the free federal edition, which allows you to prepare and eFile taxes for free (states additional). Report your forms, let us help claim your tax credits and tax deductions, and see how tax-balanced you are. Prepare your return now or by April 18, 2023, so you do not face any late tax penalties if you owe taxes. Plus, with an eFile account, you get informational email communications and e-file promo codes for your next tax return.

Five Simple Tips to Avoid Processing Delays or Refund Adjustments

  1. Use the correct information, including your filing status, claimable dependents, name, birth date, and Social Security Number for you and your dependents.
  2. Answer the digital assets question regarding financial interests or digital assets, including virtual currencies. eFile will only let you file after answering this question.
  3. Double-check your direct deposit routing and account numbers for your refund or tax payment.
  4. Report all taxable income, including W-2 income, 1099 income, gambling income, freelance income, and more.
  5. Once the IRS and applicable state(s) accept your return, download and store a copy or copies of your tax return(s).

File 2022 Taxes Online

How much do you have to make to file taxes?

Follow this table to help prepare to file your tax return online. We at eFile.com provide the resources to help taxpayers self-prepare and e-file federal and state taxes by utilizing the eFile Tax App. Sign in through the eFile Portal: With support agents on standby, do it yourself or DIY and get your taxes done stress-free by keeping an organized record of your income forms, retrieving them when you are ready to file, and e-file your returns with the IRS and state - see state income tax return details. The last day to file taxes is October 16, 2023, but a timely return needs to be filed by April 18, 2023.

Review the steps below so you can file your income taxes on time. Not sure if you will be ready to file by the Tax Day deadline? See how to file an extension for 2022 Taxes.

Step
Description
Tip
Got all your tax preparation documents? Now is time to Taxstimate your tax refund or taxes due - will you get an IRS refund?
Estimate your 2022 Tax Refund Calculator now before you eFile to get an idea of what your taxes will look like. Find out if you may owe or be owed before you e-file your return.
Find out your estimated tax refund date based on your tax refund deposit method. Did you know that a tax refund is mostly made of money you handed over to the IRS during the year?
Bank direct deposit is the fastest method to get your tax refund money from the IRS. If you get a large refund, consider reducing your tax withholding so you keep your money during 2023.
Make sure you know which federal or state tax deadlines apply to you. Generally, most federal individual income tax returns are due mid-April following the calendar or tax year.
Did you know that the penalties for not filing on time are bigger than not paying on time? Tax Tip: E-file a return or extension by the deadline to minimize or even eliminate these.
Most states in the United States do require an income tax return, which is paid through paycheck withholding, estimated tax payments, and finalized with a tax return by either paying the remaining liability or receiving a refund. Find out which states do and which ones do not.
You can only e-file a state tax return with a federal return anywhere except for California. You can, however, prepare and print a state return only on eFile.com; prepare your federal and state returns together so you can e-file both. Do IT all for one low price for all states.
Estimate your potential IRS penalties if you do not file on time or pay on time. The penalties for not filing on time are more expensive than not paying on time.
Late penalties are only applied when you owe tax. When you are owed a refund, you only penalize yourself by not claiming money that is rightfully yours.
Maximize your tax-free income, let eFile claim tax credits for you, and know the expenses you can and cannot deduct on your tax return when you e-file.
Lower your taxes through student deductions and credits, child or dependent credits, and reduce your taxable income by contributing to a retirement plan.
Find out if you actually have to file an income tax return. You may not be required to file an income tax return based on your income type, but it may be beneficial.
Use the free FILEuctor tool to get an answer accurately and quickly. This tool will determine if you need to or may want to file by answering a few questions.
Should you file yourself or as someone's dependent on your tax return? Do you have one or more dependents to claim on your return? Dependents can save you money.
Find out if you qualify as a dependent on someone's return using the free tool. If someone claims you on their return, report your earned income on your tax return as a dependent.
Are you a single parent with a child or dependent? Filing as single might not be the best for you as head of household provides many benefits for someone in your situation.
See if you qualify for the head of household filing status using our free tax tool. Generally, if you are unmarried and claim a dependent, you may qualify.
Even if you don't have to file a return, you still might want to file one for other reasons. If you need to claim certain refundable tax credits or report your Premium Tax Credit, the only way to do this is by filing taxes.
See the benefits of filing a tax return. Get an answer quickly by using the free tax tool and review some of the reasons that may apply to your situation based on simple answers to the questions.
Review eFile.com and IRS tax payment options on how to pay your taxes; pay as little or as much as you can on time to avoid tax penalties. You can make payments online.
See federal income tax payment options; pay with your return on eFile.com or pay the IRS directly. A tax extension does not give you more time to pay.
After you have e-filed your return, monitor your emails, check your eFile.com account, and view your tax refund status.
Log into your eFile.com account and check the status of your federal and applicable state tax returns.
Check your tax refund status.
Make sure your tax refund will be directly deposited into your account or mailed to the address on your tax return.
The IRS and most states have online tools to track your tax refund:
Where is my federal tax refund?
Where is my state tax refund?
Download your completed tax return from your eFile.com account (under My Account) and keep it for your records. If you did not file your return on eFile.com (or even if you did), you may obtain a free transcript of your return from the IRS, which has basic return information.
Click here if you prepared and e-filed via eFile.com.
Get an IRS tax return transcript regardless of where you prepared and filed. Tax returns should be kept in case the IRS requires further information for loan applications and more.
Need to make a change to an e-Filed or filed return? You will need to complete and file an amended tax return.
How to prepare and file a tax amendment. If you prepared your return on eFile.com, see the tax amendment via your eFile account.
Know what to do in case you get audited. In most cases, audits are handled simply by verifying your identity, reviewing some information, and working with an IRS agent to provide additional documents and figures.
How to respond to a tax audit. The IRS will issue you a notice of any changes; respond to the notice as soon as possible. If you do not understand the notice after filing with eFile.com, contact us so we can provide guidance.

e-File Income Taxes Online

All of this can be overwhelming, but easily create a free account on eFile.com and start the tax interview process by answering a few simple questions. We make it easy for you so you don't have to worry about too many of the sometimes complicated tax law details. You can monitor your preliminary federal IRS and state tax returns as you go through the process. Before you e-file your tax return, make sure to check for errors and overall results, or contact one of our Taxperts® if you have questions.

See the eFile login page after you have created a free account and e-file your IRS and state taxes. Based on the complication of your return, you may qualify to file taxes online for free.

View IRS Tax Calendars for due dates and more.

Tax Planning: Take control of your personal life relationships, finances, and taxes. Follow the tips on this page and keep up with tax planning for next year. You can use this free 2023 Tax Refund Calculator to get a high-level understanding of your taxes.

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