Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

For those of us in the United States, our tax deadline is just around the corner. If you feel unqualified to prepare your own taxes, then you are not alone. I used to read the instruction booklet and fill out our taxes manually.

Around 2009, I remember getting a letter from the IRS stating that I had not taken a deduction for which we qualified. Yes, they adjusted our taxes and gave us a refund.

I went back to the instruction booklet and discovered that no information existed for that deduction. Realizing I was over my head, I have since chosen to use TaxACT.

Tax Service Benefits

Having used the TaxACT service for multiple years, I can transfer our information from year to year making the process efficient. When filing for 2012, I did get a little confused with some of the wording. Thankfully, TaxACT has a help button for almost every question.

Tax Service Options

If you are seeking options for filing your taxes, then one of the following services may help you meet that Monday, April 15, 2013 deadline:

1. TaxACT

2. H & R Block

3. TurboTax

In using time wisely last weekend, I finished organizing, filing, and updating our records before filing our 2012 taxes. Beginning the tax process with all the documentation in hand prevented wasting time searching for a document.

You still have some time, but the tax deadline is approaching quickly. Do your research and file, and enjoy marking that task off your to-do list. Happy calculating!

Question: Do you file your own taxes or hire a professional?