Hey, you. Did you know you don’t have to be a tax genius to file your own taxes?

How to DIY your tax return

We get it — filing your own tax return can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. But once you get started, you might realize it’s much easier than you thought it would be. And it has benefits, too.

Tax preparation software like TaxAct^® is designed to guide taxpayers through the online tax filing process with ease. We start by asking you for basic information about yourself and any dependents you might have. Based on your answers to our interview questions, we’ll determine the most beneficial filing status for you, pull the necessary tax forms for your financial situation, and help you fill them out step by step.

Once you’re done filling out your federal income tax return online (and possibly your state return, too!), we’ll help you pay any taxes owed, choose how to receive any tax refunds, and submit your tax documents to the IRS for processing.

It’s that easy!

Benefits of doing your own taxes

Here are a few perks you can look forward to when using TaxAct to e-file your tax return.

1. Saving money

Hiring a CPA to do your taxes often costs hundreds of dollars. the IRS offers free federal filing utilizing TaxAct’s software for those who qualify (based on your age and adjusted gross income), and TaxAct itself offers other affordable packages depending on your tax situation. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time filer, avid investor, small business owner, or self-employed freelancer — we’ll walk you through the process.

While filing, TaxAct also helps you determine which tax credits and tax deductions you may qualify for and whether you would save the most money by taking the standard deduction or itemizing.

2. Filing on your terms

One of the great things about e-filing is your ability to save your tax return and come back to finish it later. This way, you don’t have to sit down and file your return all at once. If you get interrupted, or you’re waiting on more tax forms to arrive, TaxAct makes it easy to log back in and pick up where you left off.

3. Expert support available at your fingertips

DIYing doesn’t mean you’re on your own; if you get stuck or have a question when tax filing, there’s no need to panic. When using TaxAct, you have the option of using our Xpert Assist feature that will give you access to any questions you might have about the tax code or our product.¹

We also offer a handy FAQ page for all filers with answers to common tax questions that we update yearly.

4. Improved accuracy

There’s no need to worry about math errors or missing signatures holding up your tax return with online tax filing. TaxAct crunches the numbers for you, eliminating the human mistakes we inevitably make when filling out paperwork. For extra peace of mind, we can even help you check for potential errors or inconsistencies before officially submitting your return.

In fact, we’re so confident in our product’s accuracy that we offer a $100k Accuracy and Maximum Refund Guarantees.^*

5. Saving time year after year

Once you file with TaxAct, the next year is even easier. Your information is stored on our secure site, so you can save valuable time by not reentering the same info as last year. Just log in to edit your account or any previous information you’ve entered with us.

Tax preparation made easy

You don’t need advanced tax law knowledge to save money and get the maximum refund you deserve during tax season. TaxAct offers all the tools and support you need to file your taxes online with ease and confidence.

Ready to make tax prep your next DIY project? Let’s get started.

^*Read more about the TaxAct Maximum Refund and $100k Accuracy Guarantees.

¹TaxAct Xpert Assist is available as an added service to certain users of TaxAct’s online, consumer prepared 1040 product. Service hours limited to designated scheduling times and by expert availability. Some tax topics or situations may not be included as part of this service. View full TaxAct Xpert Assist Terms and Conditions.

All TaxAct offers, products and services are subject to applicable terms and conditions.