Irs Gov Efile

The Internal Revenue Service has made electronic filing of income taxes available for individuals, businesses, corporations, charities, and tax professionals. In fact, for excise taxes, legislation now requires using e-file in some cases.

Many types of software are available for e-filing. The IRS does not require or endorse any one brand over another. Filing your taxes electronically is certainly faster than mailing, and it is generally safer and more accurate as well.

For individual taxpayer returns, no additional software is needed if the IRS’s free file system is used to file online. This “free file” is available for 1040, 1040 A and 1040EZ returns. You begin by visiting the IRS efile website where you will be directed to a list of companies that provide this service. Different companies may have differing qualifications, such as maximum income levels or residency requirements. Most of these companies make their money by offering to file state income taxes for a small extra charge. Since an individual’s tax information has already been entered into the forms, this option is often convenient.

E-filing can be done using any filing status: single, married filing separately, married filing joint, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) with dependents. The deadlines for electronic filing of individual returns are the same as for filing paper returns. This is not always true for business returns which may have different filing deadlines. There are also special deadline extensions for those serving in combat zones, and because areas in combat are subject to change, military personnel who wish to e-file need to check the IRS website.

You can also e-file for extensions to avoid penalties for failing to file by the deadline. If you do not owe income taxes, e-filing for an extension by April 15 will give you several extra months to file your taxes. If you are filing US tax returns from outside the US, you will need to check to see what e-file options are available for you.

Electronic signatures are used on e-file tax returns. An electronic signature is a self-selected, five-digit PIN number that adds an extra layer of security to e-filing. In the past, you have needed your Adjusted Gross Income (ADI) from the previous year to confirm an electronic signature, however, in 2010 the IRS introduced a new web-based application for generating electronic signatures called “Electronic Filing PIN Help” that should make e-filing even easier.

If an e-file tax return is rejected, depending on the reason for the rejection, you may be able to resubmit it, or you may have to mail in a paper return. Errors like misspellings and empty blanks can usually be corrected and the return resubmitted. If an e-file tax return is rejected, the reason will be stated so that you will know what needs to be corrected.

The IRS has been steadily improving their website over recent years, making it easier to find directions and answers for questions about IRS e-file. You can check it out here.

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/efile/index.html?portlet=8