- Download this tax preparation checklist to determine which forms you need to start your tax refund. Once you have gathered all of the listed forms that are applicable to your situation, you are ready to sit down and file your taxes. However, sometimes it seems to take forever for these forms to show up in the mail, so read on to step two to learn how to get your forms faster.
- Determine whether you can get your forms online without waiting for them to show up in the mail. Gone are the days when your only option was to wait impatiently by the mailbox for those tax forms to show up. In most cases, you can get the forms you need online long before they make their way through the U.S. Mail. These days, you can usually obtain these forms online much faster. For example, this year, I was able to go on my employer’s website to get my W-2 several days before it came in the mail. I also downloaded electronic copies of all of the various 1099s that I needed and was able to file my taxes by January 15th! So, consider all of the forms you need, and then do a little legwork (or calling around, checking websites, etc.) to get your hands on your forms as soon as possible.
3. Choose the right tax preparation mode for your situation. I used to be real big on getting my taxes done at H&R Block every year… and then paying $200 or more up front for them to do it. Last year, their website was giving me issues. It wouldn’t allow me to pull in my previous year’s tax return info, which was one of the big reasons why I stuck with them year after year. Their customer service was less than stellar, and I was getting really frustrated because I wanted my money, and I wanted it now, dammit! |
5. Opt for direct deposit. Like electronic filing, direct deposit is a MUST if you need your money fast. Why wait for a check to come in the mail when the IRS will transfer your money directly into your bank account as soon as it’s ready?
After following these 5 steps to a faster, cheaper tax refund, I am expecting my money to arrive in my bank account by February 15 this year, and it didn’t cost me $200 to make it happen!