In the era of emails and e-tickets, e-file, is the buzzword. Today, most returns are electronically
processed. This makes filing returns swifter, smoother and easier. All professional tax preparers
have a requirement to file the returns electronically (e-file), except for a few options. You can
even e-file your tax returns all year long. Don and Sherry are aware of this.

In the era of emails and e-tickets, e-file, is the buzzword. Today, most returns are electronically
processed. This makes filing returns swifter, smoother and easier. All professional tax preparers
have a requirement to file the returns electronically (e-file), except for a few options. You can
even e-file your tax returns all year long. Don and Sherry are aware of this.

If you prepare your own individual tax return, you can choose to electronically (e-file) file it, or
mail in a paper income tax return. And whether you prepare your own returns or engage a
professional tax preparer, some tax returns still require a paper copy to be mailed into the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For instance, if you have an Adoption Tax Credit, or there is
Identity Theft with your returns, or you are sending in amended or past year tax returns older
than 6 years from due date, your return must be mailed in. If you are divorced, and claim the
Child Tax Credit and later find out that your ex-spouse claimed the child (even if they were not
allowed to) and filed their return before you filed yours, you will need to send in a paper copy of
your return with a copy of your Divorce Decree, and proof of Identification (i.e. Driver’s license,
Passport, State ID card, Military Id card). This is the only way to prove that you have the right to
claim the child as a dependent and save on your income taxes. Unbelievably, the above
example is an Identity Theft issue. These are some of the reasons why you might still have to
file your tax return via US Postal Service.

Always remember, when you send anything to the IRS or any government agency, always
send it certified mail, return receipt asked. This is a way to PROVE you sent the return to
the IRS or state Department of Revenue.

Electronic filing (E-File) is the preferred method of filing for the IRS. E-filing your tax return
supplies many benefits to you:

• You can save a copy of your tax return on a flash drive or hard drive, hence less paper for
  you to keep track of.
• Once you e-file your tax return, the IRS will respond to you via email within 48 hours, to let
  you know that your tax return was received and that it is exact (math only) and complete
  (correct social security numbers). The IRS even tells you if something needs to be corrected
  and re-submitted, like with misspelled names or wrong names and social security numbers.
  When you try to send your tax return with these mistakes, you will get a rejection notice,
  with an explanation of what is wrong. Then you can correct it and send it again.
• You will also be able to check the refund status of your e-filed tax return. Look under
  “Where’s my refund?” at IRS.gov.
• E-filing your tax return also means you will receive any refund quicker. Taxpayers that e-
  filed their tax returns, and used direct deposit, usually receive their refund within 10 days.
• You can also decide if you want to pay your tax with a credit card or an electronic debit from
  your checking account. Be careful, both the IRS and credit card companies may charge
  fees to pay income taxes. Now you can see that sending your return using an e-file is faster,
  easier to track, and allows for a quicker refund.

Note: if your IRS refund is $10,000 or more, expect your refund to be delayed up to 9
months while they check your refund for possible fraud. The benefit here is the IRS will
have to pay you interest on the refund while they delay paying you!

Tax Return Trouble for Self-Filers

While some people self-file their tax returns, it is usually better to use a professional tax
preparer. This is true for many reasons. First, you are not a tax preparer. You do not scour over
the tax code, read the rules and regulations, go to continuing education classes, pass hard,
lengthy, expensive licensing exams and keep professional licenses, like Certified Public
Accountants, Enrolled Agents, and Attorneys do. These tax professionals save you much more
than you know. The average self-filed return brings home around $1800, while tax professionals
help refund over $3000. Quite a bit more, huh? Once Don and Sherry found this out, they never
tried to prepare their own taxes again. They even call their tax professional every time they think
of spending money on big items, just to make sure they don’t miss any tax saving opportunities!

There are many reasons why working with a tax professional can save you money. A tax
professional will prevent you from making the mistakes that cost millions of taxpayers in
overpaid taxes, every year. Such benefits of working with a tax professional aren’t just about
your refund. Think of all the time spent on reading the rules (especially this year), learning how
to interpret and use them, knowing which documents are important for preparation of your return
and which are not, knowing where you kept old copies when you apply for a loan, keeping up on
any new tax developments regularly, and having someone you can bounce off ideas for financial
decisions, BEFORE you make a mistake, and the list goes on. Tax Professionals are not just for
wealthy taxpayers. Your tax professional should be able to save you more than they charge you!

What to Look for in a Tax Professional?

So, how do you find a tax professional? Look under Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and
Enrolled Agents (EA). Both are tax experts. One is expert at both tax and accounting (Certified
Public Accountant), and one is expert at only tax (Enrolled Agent). Always look for the license
hanging in their offices. It takes years to become either one, so these professionals are rightfully
proud to display those credentials. Both are much better at tax law than the national tax
preparation service franchises.

Where do you look for a Certified Public Accountant or Enrolled Agent? You can search for
them in your area, but most will ask family and friends who they use. Look for someone that
cares about teaching you how to save money. A good tax professional should always go over

your return and answer any questions before they send your return to the IRS. Further, a skilled
professional will keep you up to date on new tax developments. These professionals are experts
in tax preparation, tax resolution, and tax planning. That means they can help you save both time
and taxes every year. And if you are ever questioned about your tax returns, CPA’s and EA’s can
legally represent you before the IRS! So, Don and Sherry never take a chance at self-filing. They
always depend on a trusted licensed tax professional.

Tax season is in full swing, so finding a qualified, trustworthy tax expert will only get more
difficult between now and April 15. CALL TODAY don’t delay!

Call today, don’t delay! See how this affects you. We can be reached at 602-264-9331 and on all social media under azmoneyguy.

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