Nothing beats a buy one, get one deal when you want a new cellphone. Seriously, out of the many types of cellphone deals that exist, the rare BOGO offer gets you the most value.
Cellphone carriers usually don’t let BOGO offers sit for too long, so don’t expect these BOGO deals to last forever. Here are the latest buy one, get one cellphone deals available right now.
T-Mobile BOGO Offers
Free iPhone XR
The iPhone XR is a few years old at this point, but it’s still an excellent phone with a beautiful display and reliable battery life.
You can get a free iPhone XR if you switch to T-Mobile and purchase two iPhone XR devices via monthly payments. You’ll automatically get $730 credited to your account, thus canceling out the monthly payments you would pay for the second iPhone XR.
Free Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
To qualify for a free Samsung Galaxy S21 5G from T-Mobile, you’ll need to buy two S21 devices on a monthly installment plan and sign up for at least one new T-Mobile line.
Once you do that, you’ll $800 in credits added to your account, effectively paying for the second Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Verizon BOGO Offers
Up to $800 Off a Second iPhone 12
If you buy a new iPhone 12, opt for monthly payments and sign up for a new Verizon unlimited plan, you qualify for $800 off on the next iPhone 12 you purchase.
That $800 off can be used to completely pay off an iPhone 12 (64GB), or you can get $800 off on one of the higher-tier iPhone 12 devices.
Free iPhone 12 Mini
You can get a second iPhone 12 Mini for free when you purchase the first device and sign up for a new Verizon unlimited plan.
All you need to do is add two iPhone 12 Minis into your cart on Verizon, opt for monthly payments on the phones, make sure one of the phones will be used for an unlimited plan, and you’ll get $700 in credit back.
This $700 will automatically cover your monthly payments on the second iPhone 12 Mini.
Those are the best wireless BOGO deals available right now. Sadly, AT&T isn’t offering any BOGO right now, but these are excellent opportunities if you were thinking about switching to Verizon or T-Mobile.
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
Some things really are better the second time around.
In fact, many used items can be every bit as good as those purchased new. Plus, buying used almost always saves you cash.
So, without further ado, following is our list of the top things you should never buy new.
1. Timeshares
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Don’t ever pay full price for a timeshare. Some people are practically giving them away because they’re so desperate to get out from under the annual fees.
As Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson puts it in “Ask Stacy: How Can I Sell My Timeshare?“:
“I’d chop off my own foot with a dull ax before buying a timeshare, especially a new one from a developer.”
2. Basic tools
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If you are handy, you need a good set of tools. Buying tools used typically will save you money, and you might even end up with something that is better crafted than what you would find new today.
In fact, Money Talks News’ resident thrifting expert Kentin Waits cites tools in both “8 Things I Always Buy at Thrift Stores” and “7 Things You Should Buy at Estate Sales.”
If you aren’t handy, you might be able to check out tools from your local library when you do need them.
3. Cars
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We’ve talked about it time and time again: The value of a new car drops like a rock as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Rather than finding yourself upside-down on your car loan five minutes after signing the paperwork, look for a quality used car that has already taken the huge depreciation hit.
4. Books
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We could take this category one step further and say you shouldn’t buy books at all. Many of us live near a public library system that can meet most of our reading needs.
However, we won’t go quite to that extreme. I personally enjoy having a well-stocked home library. I also realize that some books, such as college textbooks, have to be purchased. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price.
Check out “11 Places to Find Free E-Books,” or head to Amazon to find cheap used books, which are often as good as new.
5. Big toys like boats, motorcycles and RVs
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That advice about buying a used car can apply to any type of vehicle.
Virtually anything with an engine — from off-road vehicles to yachts — will depreciate over time. So, in most cases, you’ll get more bang for your buck by purchasing used.
New boats, for example, depreciate quickly. So, even if you buy a vessel that’s just 1 year old, you stand to save a boatload.
6. Houses
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Your house is another big-ticket item that is better to buy used rather than new. Not only can you save money, but older homes also may have better “bones” than some new construction.
If you love the idea of new construction, remember that an existing home doesn’t necessarily have to be 50 years old. If you want an energy-efficient home with new amenities, you can probably find it at a lower price if you’re willing to be owner No. 2 or No. 3.
7. Movies and CDs
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Many of the same places that sell used books also sell used DVDs, Blu-ray Discs and CDs. No need to spend money for a new disc when you can get a used one for less money online, at a garage sale or in the thrift shop.
Of course, there’s also your public library, where movies and music are free for the (temporary) taking and cheap when the library holds a sale.
8. Sports gear
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Raise your hand if your kids have ever started a sport and quit after one season. I’m right there with you.
Instead of spending tons for new equipment, go to a specialty store like Play It Again Sports and buy used items. You can also scour garage sales, thrift stores and Craigslist for bargain finds.
Don’t forget to look for fitness equipment for yourself, too. Buying new weights and kettlebells, for example, doesn’t make sense if you can get used ones for a fraction of the price.
9. Musical instruments
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Musical instruments are another parental purchase that could be money down the drain.
To avoid purchasing something overpriced or broken when buying used, consider spending a few dollars to have it appraised by a local music store. Or, better yet, buy a used item directly from a shop.
Renting an instrument is another option. However, keep in mind that renting a clarinet for three years could end up costing you more than if you purchased a used one in the first place.
10. Jewelry
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Jewelry is also better bought used than new. Before buying off Craigslist or from a private seller, however, be sure to get an appraisal, particularly if a significant amount of money is involved.
You can also find quality used baubles by shopping for estate jewelry from jewelers or reputable pawn shops.
11. Gift cards
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Here’s one you probably haven’t thought about. Some people receive a gift card to a retailer they don’t like. Others use a portion of a gift card, but have no reason or desire to spend down the remaining balance.
You can find unwanted gift cards by going to a site like Raise. Buying “used” gift cards in this fashion can save you a bundle, as we detail in “How Unwanted Gift Cards Save Me Hundreds of Dollars a Year.”
12. Pets
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Some of you might disagree, but there really is no reason to spend a lot of money on a brand-new pet from a breeder when plenty of preloved (or not so loved) animals need homes.
My local animal shelter and Humane Society regularly have free or almost-free adoption days, during which you can bring home everything from dogs and cats to bunnies and birds. Your local shelter might offer the same.
Unless you’re planning to show your pet, spending hundreds or even thousands on a purebred animal is probably not money well-spent. The $50 puppy from the pound is just as likely to smother you with wet kisses and stare at you with unbridled adoration.
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
Photo by Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
You may have heard or seen firsthand how fast home prices have risen. In January, home value appreciation was 9.1% higher than one year prior, the largest annual increase since 2006, according to new data from Zillow.
Perhaps less known is this: The cost of renting is affected, too. But unlike with home prices — rising across most of the country — rents are up in some cities and down in others.
Overall, the cost of renting was relatively stagnant in the United States last year, say Zillow economists. The company, a real estate website, tracks and analyzes home prices and rents. The typical rent this January, $1,721, was up just $9, or 0.5%, from January 2020.
But that flat line masks big changes.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and widespread changes to work-from-home policies have also pushed many to reconsider what they want and need in their living space, and where it should be,” says Zillow.
Many workers were freed to work from home and live virtually anywhere, at least while pandemic lockdowns lasted.
Rents in pricey, formerly desirable coastal meccas — especially New York City, Boston and the Silicon Valley centers of San Francisco and San Jose — saw the most dramatic drops in rents.
Below, listed by the change from January 2020 to January 2021, are the nine major metropolitan areas where rent costs are down, according to the Zillow Observed Rent Index. Even with reductions, rents in these metros remain steep:
San Francisco: $2,876 (down 9.2% from January 2020)
New York City: $2,465 (down 8.8%)
San Jose, California: $2,892 (down 7.2%)
Boston: $2,277 (down 6.3%)
Seattle: $1,866 (down 5.5%)
Washington, D.C.: $2,006 (down 3.4%)
Chicago: $1,614 (down 2.9%)
Austin, Texas: $1,511 (down 1.2%)
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California: $2,542 (down 0.8%)
In the rest of the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S., rent increased on Zillow’s index between January 2020 and January 2021. These increases were as small as 0.1% in Denver and as big as 10% in Memphis, Tennessee.
A recent analysis by MyMove, a website that helps people relocate, also found that many people who moved during the pandemic left crowded urban areas for (often nearby) smaller cities and suburbs.
MyMove analyzed U.S. Postal Service change-of-address requests filed from February through July 2020. It found that the number of requests for temporary moves — meaning requests from people who planned to live at the new address for less than six months — increased about 27% compared with the same period in 2019.
New York City (110,978 people moved), including its borough of Brooklyn (43,006), lost the most residents to moves, followed by Chicago (31,347), San Francisco (27,187) and Los Angeles (26,438).
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be leaving few things unchanged. Some retail stores, whether brick-and-mortar or online (or both), are loosening their policies on returns, says ModernRetail, an industry publication. This buys customer goodwill and gives the companies time to process returned products. Other retailers may have tightened previously liberal returns policies.
To help ensure that you and the recipients of your gifts can exchange a too-small sweater or return an extra toaster, consider shopping at stores like these, whose return policies are more customer-centered. We’ve summed up the rules. We link to each store’s policy so you can read the fine print, including exceptions and caveats.
1. Costco
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Selling everything from cucumbers to caskets, Costco says it stands behind its products 100%. That means full refunds on almost anything. A caveat: Some products — mainly electronics and appliances — must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a full refund.
Exceptions include diamonds, which are subject to special terms, and cigarettes and alcohol, which may not be returned where prohibited by law.
Love shopping at Costco? See “18 Surprising Things You Can Buy at Costco.”
2. Lands’ End
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The Lands’ End return policy is short and sweet. If you aren’t happy with a product, return it at any time for a refund or exchange.
The policy says:
“Refund requests received within 90 days of purchase will be issued to the original form of payment when available. Refund requests received beyond 90 days from the date of purchase or refund requests without a Lands’ End proof of purchase will be issued a Lands’ End Merchandise Credit.”
3. Ikea
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Thanks to its “No-Nonsense — 365 Days to Change Your Mind” policy, Ikea is one of the best stores for customer returns.
As the policy name suggests, shoppers get one year (365 days) to make a return for a full refund — for new and unopened products.
But you must have a receipt. If you don’t, the store will attempt to locate your purchase in its system. Failing that, you’ll get merchandise credit equal to the lowest selling price of the purchase from the previous 365 days.
Opened products may be returned within 180 days. You’ll need proof of purchase for a full refund.
If you love shopping at Ikea, here some tips: “4 Ways to Save More Money at Ikea.”
4. Bath & Body Works
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If you’re looking for a sweetly scented gift, Bath & Body Works can be a good place to go.
In case the fragrance you selected from the vast selection isn’t just what they wanted, the store has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Return a product for any reason with a receipt for a full refund. No receipt? Your refund will be for the lowest selling price of the item.
5. REI
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REI is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. The store has a liberal return policy. In brief, you can return or exchange almost anything from the store within one year.
Outdoor electronics must be returned within 90 days. Tip: REI won’t take returns on items for normal wear and tear or damage caused by accidents or improper use. Used gear is covered by the policy, but must be returned within 30 days. REI Store Garage Sale (as is) purchases aren’t covered — those sales are final.
6. Zappos
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You don’t need to worry about buying the wrong shoes online when you purchase from Zappos. The shoe retailer allows 365 days to return unused products and will pay for the return shipping.
So, if those strappy heels don’t look quite as cute on you as they did on the model, you can send them right back. Just don’t wear them to a party first; returns must be unworn and in the original packaging with original tags attached.
7. Athleta
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A division of Gap, Athleta specializes in workout gear for women. Other stores (including other Gap brands) may only take back unwashed or unworn items, but Athleta lets you return anything for any reason within 60 days, thanks to its Give-It-a-Workout Guarantee. An exception: final sale goods.
Athleta covers the shipping cost for returns and exchanges.
8. Nordstrom
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The days when Nordstrom let shoppers return anything in practically any condition for any reason are in the past. But the chain’s return policy remains one of the best around.
It says:
“We handle returns on a case-by-case basis with the ultimate objective of making our customers happy.”
You can return a purchase without a receipt, and the retailer will try to find it in its computer system. If it can’t, customers may show identification to receive a Nordstrom gift card for the current price.
9. L.L. Bean
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The L.L. Bean policy says it will accept returned products that don’t live up to customer expectations within one year of purchase. It’s even better for purchases made before Feb. 9, 2018. These are not subject to the one-year limit.
The retailer adds:
“After one year, we will consider any items for return that are defective due to materials or craftsmanship.”
10. Macy’s
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Macy’s once-mighty chain of department stores is in the midst of a three-year plan to close one-fifth of its stores — shutting roughly 125 locations in all.
But many of its stores still are in business. Macy’s return policy gives shoppers 90 days to take back a purchase. Returned goods must be in original, salable condition with the original tags.
Some exceptions are carved out. These include products from certain lines and manufacturers, lighting, area rugs, tech accessories and watches, dresses, furs, foods and beverages, and furniture and mattresses.
11. Kohl’s
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Hassle-free returns are a Kohl’s tradition, although the rules can be a bit more complicated than the name implies.
An in-store purchase with an original receipt can receive a refund or an even exchange up to 180 days after the original purchase date, with an exception for premium electronics. If you don’t have a receipt, and the store can’t find one, you may get a merchandise credit based on the lowest discounted 13-week sale price of the item.
12. Target
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Target’s return policy varies, depending on what you purchased, its condition and whether you paid with a Target REDcard.
Most goods that are returned within 90 days, are unopened and in new condition can receive a refund or exchange. Read the policy and check your sales receipt or packing slip for exceptions.
Target allows up to a year to return Target-owned brands or registry purchases.
Using your Target RedCard to make the purchase earns you an extra 30 days to make returns.
Returns by mail are postage-free; you can download and print a prepaid mailing label.
13. JC Penney
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As with Target, JC Penney’s return policy varies significantly based on what you’ve purchased and whether you have a receipt. Here are the highlights:
Most purchases can be returned with a receipt for a full refund or exchange. No time window is given. Read the policy to see exceptions.
When you return something without a receipt, the refund with be issued as a JC Penney gift card; you’ll get the amount of the lowest selling price in the last 45 days and you’ll need to show a photo ID.
14. Bed Bath & Beyond
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Bed Bath & Beyond promises “Easy Exchanges & Returns.” If you have a receipt, you’re in luck. Returns and exchanges can be made (postage-free) online or in stores that are open to the public (this doesn’t include curbside only locations).
You can take back unwanted goods, with exceptions, for a refund in the original form of payment, within 90 days with your receipt. You may be asked to show ID.
Without a receipt, things get a little trickier. If it was purchased within the last 365 days, Bed Bath & Beyond will try to find a record of the transaction. If they can’t, and you are returning new and unopened goods, you may be able to get an exchange or merchandise credit for the current selling price minus 20%.
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
Your taxes pay for a variety of government services, as well as government debt and salaries.
The federal government spends a lot of money. In 2019, for example, the government spent a total of around $4.4 trillion. You know that sounds like a lot, but how much is it really?
For comparison, $4.4 trillion was around a fifth of the total national GDP for that year. GDP, or gross domestic product, is the value of all the goods and services provided or made within the country during that year.
What funds the things the government pays for? Well, $3.5 trillion of that spending was paid for by “federal revenues,” which mostly refers to taxes. The other $984 billion was borrowed. Discover 10 things taxes pay for below to understand just how the federal government is spending those trillions of dollars.
10 Things Taxes Pay For
Government Debt
Social Security
Medicare
Other Health Care
National Defense
Veterans Benefits
Safety Net Programs
Education
Infrastructure
Salaries and Wages
1. Government Debt
If the United States’ government borrowed more than $900 billion in 2019 alone, you can bet the total debt is high. At the end of 2019, it was $22.8 trillion.
According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which keeps a daily national debt clock, as of February 24, 2021, the national debt was as much as $27,932,601,755,468—more than $27.9 trillion. Not sure exactly how much that really is? Consider this—if everyone in the United States covered an equal portion of that debt, each person would need to pony up $84,029.
It’s not surprising that a large chunk of what the federal government spends goes to debt, then. In 2019, around 8% of federal spending covered only the interest on debts!
2. Social Security
Funding the Social Security program is a big expense for federal taxpayers. Social Security spending is part of an overall government spending category known as mandatory spending. These don’t require appropriation because the spending is mandated by a previous law or appropriation. With mandatory spending, the government funds the programs based on the need—however many people are eligible for and draw from Social Security, for example, determines how much is funded.
Many of the mandatory spending programs started in the middle of the 20th century. As the population has grown, so has the amount needed to fund these programs. In 1962, mandatory spending accounted for 31% of the federal budget. In 2019, it accounted for 61%.
Social Security accounts for the largest amount of mandatory spending. In 2019, the program accounted for 38% of all mandatory federal spending. That was around 23% of the total budget, or about a trillion dollars.
3. Medicare
Medicare also represents a mandatory spending item on the federal budget. It’s typically second to Social Security, and in 2019, it accounted for more than 23% of mandatory spending. This program provides health care benefits for qualified retired individuals as well as some eligible disabled persons. Overall, about $651 billion went to Medicare in 2019.
4. Other Health Care
Medicare isn’t the only health care and wellness program covered by the federal government. Others include Medicaid, which the federal government funds in partnership with the states, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and health care market subsidies. These subsidies are funded under the Affordable Care Act and usually taken as a reduction on how much someone might pay in taxes.
In 2019, all of these other health care programs cost around $450 billion.
5. National Defense
Defense is not included in mandatory spending. It is discretionary spending and it must be included in congressional appropriations bills annually.
Defense tends to be the biggest discretionary spending item on the federal budget. Some, but not all, foreign aid can be classified under defense because that spending is meant to stabilize other nations for the defense of the United States.
In 2019, defense accounted for around 50% of all discretionary spending. However, that was only around 16% of the total budget.
6. Veterans Benefits
Veterans benefits refers to a wide range of health and wellness programs, financial assistance, and other programs designed to support veterans of the United States military. This type of spending can actually fall under both discretionary and mandatory, as there are VA programs in both categories. In either case, though, it’s a relatively small percentage of total spending.
7. Income Security or Safety Net Programs
Income security refers to federal spending on safety net programs to increase the health and safety of the general population. Programs included under this umbrella term cover, but aren’t limited to, housing assistance, nutrition and food assistance, unemployment compensation, foster care, and certain tax credits.
In 2019, income security accounted for the third-largest mandatory spending category after Social Security and Medicare. Around 16% of mandatory federal spending was in this category. Around 5% of discretionary spending that year was also in this category.
With two COVID relief acts in 2020, you should expect to see percentages in this category go up for that year. The types of spending related to those bills—such as the stimulus payments to qualifying Americans—would be considered income security.
8. Education
The children are our future—but you might not know it by looking at how federal funds are spent. Education is normally a relatively small discretionary spending item (about 7% of discretionary spending in 2019), and it often includes both K-12 education as well as spending on college, training, and employment services. It’s also worth noting that only around 8% of K-12 public school spending across the country is federal. The rest is covered by state and local funds.
9. Infrastructure
Infrastructure refers to physical structures and facilities that we depend on to function as a society. This includes buildings, roads, and power supplies.
As with education, infrastructure expenses are shared among federal, state, and local budgets. According to a report from the House Committee on the Budget, the total infrastructure spending across all these entities in 2017 was only 2.3% of GDP, or around $441 billion.
10. Salaries and Wages
Not including the military and other non-civilian workforces, the federal government employs more than 2 million people. That’s a lot of people to pay, which means a lot of spending on salaries, wages, and benefits. The federal government spends billions of tax dollars to cover these expenses every year.
What If You Don’t Agree with Federal Spending?
As much as we’d sometimes like to pull the plug on our own tax bills because we don’t agree with how the federal government is spending our money, you still need to pay your taxes. Not doing so has legal consequences and could also lead to debt that might derail your financial goals and credit score.
But you can take some actions if you don’t agree with how the federal government is spending your tax dollars:
Contact your legislators. Find your representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate, then contact them about your concerns. Don’t forget to contact your state representatives as well as your US representatives.
Use your vote. Vote for candidates for president, the House of Representatives, or the Senate who align most closely with your policy beliefs and who may be more likely to spend money in a way you agree with.
Get involved. Learn more, get involved with grassroots change efforts, or sign or create petitions for change.
But while you’re doing all those things, don’t forget to do your federal taxes.
Discovering that you owe the IRS money is never a good feeling. If you’re staring down a tax bill you can’t afford to pay from 2020, you’re no doubt in good company.
Countless people have turned to gig work to survive, which can result in surprise tax bills. Expanded jobless benefits have been a lifeline to millions, but even unemployment benefits are taxable. With confusion about PPP loans, the CARES Act retirement rules and the payroll tax “holiday”, it’s a safe bet that this year’s tax season will be even more migraine-inducing than ever.
4 Smart Strategies for Dealing With a Tax Bill You Can’t Afford
The most important thing to know if you owe: You do have options. But it’s essential that you take action. Here are four mistakes to avoid — and what to do instead.
Mistake #1: You don’t file a tax return because you can’t pay your bill.
The smart strategy: File a return, even if you can’t afford to pay.
The penalties for not filing a tax return are much tougher than the penalties for not paying on time. Here’s how it works:
If you don’t file a tax return: You’ll pay a 5% monthly late fee, up to 25% of the tax bill, plus interest.
If you file your tax return on time but don’t pay: Your late fee is just 0.5% per month, also capped at 25% of the bill, plus interest.
Note that filing for a tax extension only gives you more time to file. It doesn’t give you more time to pay taxes if you owe. But if you ask for an extension by April 15 and file your return by the Oct. 15 deadline, you’ll only be paying the lower late payment fee instead of the 5% monthly fee for filing a late return.
When you don’t file a tax return, the IRS can file a substitute return on your behalf. If that happens, you’ll still want to file your own return. The substitute return won’t include tax deductions and tax credits that could potentially lower your bill.
Mistake #2: Using a credit card or cash advance to pay your taxes.
The smart strategy: Apply for an IRS payment plan.
This one’s a head-scratcher because even the IRS suggests paying taxes you can’t afford with a credit card or cash advance. Apparently, the IRS doesn’t realize its own generosity as a creditor.
A much better option is to apply for an IRS installment plan. You’ll still accrue penalties and interest. But when you sign up for an installment plan, the monthly 0.5% late fee drops to 0.25%. With interest, that works out to 6% annually.
By comparison, a typical credit card APR hovers above 16%. Cash advance APRs are a gut-punching 25% on average, plus they often come with additional fees.
Typically, the IRS will automatically approve your agreement if you owe less than $10,000 and you agree to pay off your bill within three years, with no monthly payments required. If you owe more or need more time to pay, the IRS could technically ask for more financial information. But as long as your balance is $50,000 or less, odds are still high that you’ll be automatically approved. The maximum repayment time frame is 72 months, so your monthly payments can be as low as 1/72 of your balance.
Pro Tip
Agree to the lowest monthly payment the IRS will accept and then pay extra each month if you can.
You’ll pay a $31 fee if you apply online and have money automatically withdrawn from your bank account each month. The fees are higher if you set up the plan by phone, in person or by mail, or if you choose a different payment method. Setup fees can be waived if the IRS considers you low income, which means your income is below 250% of the federal poverty level for your state.
While you’re in a payment plan, any future tax refunds will be applied to your balance until you’ve paid it off. But the IRS won’t take further action, like garnishing your wages or placing a lien on your property, as long as you’re paying as agreed.
Mistake #3: Hiring a tax settlement company.
The smart strategy: Negotiating with the IRS yourself.
If you’re seriously delinquent on taxes, you may need professional help. If you fall in this camp, only an attorney, a CPA or a type of tax adviser called an enrolled agent can represent you before the IRS. But most people who owe taxes won’t need the help of a pro.
Be extremely wary of companies that claim they can stop wage garnishments or settle your debt for a fraction of what you owe. The FTC warns that the vast majority of taxpayers don’t qualify for the programs they’re hawking. Many people who use these companies don’t get tax relief. Instead, they wind up deeper in debt due to high upfront fees and unauthorized charges.
You typically don’t need assistance to set up a payment plan. But even if you can’t afford to start paying your bill or your installment agreement isn’t approved, you do have options for negotiating with the IRS.
One option is to ask for currently not collectible status, which means the IRS will pause collection efforts until your financial situation improves. You’ll still owe taxes, and interest and penalties will continue to accrue. The IRS will require you to show proof of significant hardship and document your income, spending and assets.
Another possibility is an offer in compromise, which allows you to settle your tax debt for less than you owe. You can do this either with a lump-sum payment or with monthly installment payments. The IRS rejects most applications for an offer in compromise. Typically, your tax bill has to be large enough that the IRS agrees it can’t realistically collect what you owe. Use the IRS Offer in Compromise pre-qualifying screener to determine whether this could be an option.
Mistake #4: Taking a 401(k) withdrawal.
The smart solution: If you must touch your retirement money, stick with a 401(k) loan or your Roth IRA contributions.
We’d recommend an installment plan hands-down over touching your retirement money. But if that’s not an option — or if you’re determined to get rid of this tax debt ASAP at any cost — an early 401(k) withdrawal should only be the last option..
With an early 401(k) withdrawal, you’ll be racking up more taxes just to pay your taxes. Your distribution will be taxed as ordinary income, plus you’ll pay a 10% penalty.
A 401(k) loan may be a better option since you won’t be penalized. But it’s still risky. If you left your job for any reason, you’d have to repay the loan in full when you file your tax return the next year. Otherwise, it’s treated as an early withdrawal.
If you’re using retirement money to pay taxes, start with your Roth IRA if you have one. If you can limit your withdrawals to your contributions, you won’t pay taxes or a penalty, since that money has already been taxed.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Send your tricky money questions to [email protected]
Instead of this straightforward public service, we have the next best thing: A private system that helps the majority of Americans file a federal tax return for free.
Reporter Jessica Huseman pointed out this frustrating truth in a 2017 story for ProPublica, which resurfaces and regains steam each year around tax time — this year with a bump from a replay of her appearance on WNYC’s “On the Media”.
This part is, in fact, easy. Once you know about it.
(BTW, we are happy to tell you all about those free tax filing services.)
Most importantly: Assume you can find a way to file for free. The agreement aims to make free filing available to 70% of Americans, so the odds are in your favor.
The result is that most filers have no idea the option exists, and hardly anyone takes advantage of it.
To qualify, you have to earn below a certain income limit, which changes each year.
The Free File Alliance MUST Let You File Taxes for Free
We just have to make sure we can find it. Source: thepennyhoarder.com
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“Think about all the things that the IRS already knows about you,” she told OTM.
Filing taxes in the United States could be free and simple for everyone — if only tax prep companies weren’t lobbying to keep it so complicated.
Choose a filing service through the IRS browsing tool. It’ll ask you some questions to help you determine which service is a good fit for your tax situation.
The government has no budget to market it, and the for-profit tax preparers have no incentive to let you know about their free options — and every incentive to funnel you toward a paid option.
How to Get Free Tax Filing Through the Free File Alliance
The problem, predictably, is that no one advertises the free services.
Before you choose a service, read through the requirements for free filing. Some of them cap incomes as low as ,000, or tack on an age requirement or state limitations. A few, but not many, throw in free state filing so you can avoid that surprise charge at the end of the process.
The Free File Alliance is a public-private partnership between a group of tax software companies and the IRS. Nine companies are part of this agreement as of January 2021, according to its recent press release.
The agreement says these companies have to provide the majority of Americans with a free way to prepare and file their taxes online. It also bars the IRS from providing its own free filing system — like that dreamy no-return scenario I mentioned above.
Last year, the Alliance touted “soaring” participation in a press release — a 28% “jump” from 2.3 million filers in 2019 to 2.9 million in 2020. Sounds great, except more than 130 million taxpayers qualified for free filing through the program. That’s a participation rate of less than 2%, exactly where it sat when Huseman called B.S. on the program three years earlier.
Except most of us don’t use it… because we don’t know it exists. Privacy Policy
For tax year 2020 (what you’ll file in 2021), anyone with an adjusted gross income below ,000 qualifies for free filing through an IRS partner.
From your bank and employer, the Internal Revenue Service already gets a lot of the information you painstakingly report on your tax return. We could, in theory, have a return-free system, where the IRS sends you that information and how much it believes you owe, and you don’t have to file anything unless you disagree with it. <!–
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Tax companies will make plenty of offers that tempt you to upgrade to a paid option — or make you believe you have no choice. But you do. They’ve barred our government from offering us that choice, and in return, they’re required to provide it themselves. But we like a challenge, don’t we? Ready to stop worrying about money?
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) has been writing and editing since 2011, covering personal finance, careers and digital media. She was ticked off she didn’t know about the Free File Alliance and wants to make sure you don’t face the same fate.
Do you love your neighborhood grocery store and buy everything you need there?
If so, your local grocery store probably loves you, too. It loves that you’re willing to spend so much on items you could get for a whole lot less money elsewhere.
You can continue supporting your local grocery store, but skip buying these goods there because cheaper options are available.
1. Greeting cards
Pressmaster / Shutterstock.com
Anyone who’s bought a grocery store greeting card has felt the sticker shock — $4.95 for a piece of cardstock with a pretty design? You can do better.
Go to the dollar store and pick up some equally nice options for a buck. Greeting cards are one of the “21 Things You Should Always Buy at a Dollar Store.”
If you don’t want to make a trip to another store, check out the options on Amazon. Or if you’re the crafty type, make your own.
2. Batteries
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
Batteries are an essential part of life, whether you’re a parent on Christmas morning or someone who relies on the TV remote. However, there’s no reason to overpay.
Head to the warehouse club of your choice, where you can stock up on bulk packages that bring your per-battery cost down. Amazon also sells bulk packages of batteries, including its own AmazonBasics brand.
3. Magazines
Kinga / Shutterstock.com
A single issue of a magazine at the grocery store can set you back $3 or $4. Or more.
For many publications, you can subscribe to have them delivered to your home for the entire year for less than $20.
There are also plenty of ways to get discounted access to your favorite titles, as we detail in “4 Ways to Read Magazines for Free or Cheap.”
4. Diapers
Flashon Media / Shutterstock.com
Who knew it cost so much to cover your little one’s bottom? Well, experienced parents know, but it’s often a surprise to new moms and dads.
Using cloth diapers that you wash and reuse is always cheaper and more environmentally friendly. But for many people, disposables are the only way to go.
Buying them from a grocery store is easy, but you’ll pay a lot less per diaper using Amazon’s Subscribe & Save service. It gives Amazon Prime members up to 20% off diaper subscriptions (basically just recurring deliveries), depending on how many subscription deliveries you buy.
If you’re willing to watch and wait for sales to stock up, another option is drugstore-brand diapers. See “7 Things You Can Buy for Next to Nothing at the Drugstore.”
5. Alcoholic beverages
oneinchpunch / Shutterstock.com
Beer and wine are money makers for grocery stores. You can minimize the markup by shopping at a warehouse club instead.
You may not even need a membership, as we explain in “18 Best Buys at Warehouse Stores”:
“In some states, nonmembers can buy booze at a warehouse club due to state laws that regulate alcohol sales. So call your closest club and ask about its policy for selling alcohol to nonmembers.”
6. Toothbrushes
Creativa Image / Shutterstock.com
Are you really buying toothbrushes at the grocery store? Don’t you go to the dentist? If you do, you’ll find they have drawers full of them for the asking.
Yes, most people go to the dentist once every six months, and you should change your toothbrush more often than that. However, we’ll bet that, if you ask really nicely, your dentist will give you one or two extra to last until your next visit.
7. Special occasion cakes
Kzenon / Shutterstock.com
Getting a birthday cake at the grocery store is convenient, but it isn’t all that cheap, especially if you need to feed a crowd.
Instead, we’re going to send you back to your warehouse club, where you can get a giant decorated sheet cake for the same price many grocery stores charge for their small ones.
8. Pet food
garetsworkshop / Shutterstock.com
The grocery store isn’t the worst place to buy pet food, but you can do better.
These retailers are among those offering discounts when you set up automated shipments:
Some pet store chains also offer coupons and loyalty programs that can lower costs, as we detail in “8 Ways to Cut Your Pet Food Costs.”
9. Bottled water
Patramansky Oleg / Shutterstock.com
Unless you happen to live in a city where the water is unfit to drink, there is no reason to buy bottled water.
The water from your tap will hydrate you just fine. Invest in a couple of reusable water bottles, and fill them for cheap at home.
Does the local tap water taste iffy? Buy a water filter or a filtering pitcher, and keep it in the fridge for when you want a cold drink or need to refill those reusable bottles.
If you must have bottled water from a store, buy it at a lower price at your warehouse club.
10. Frozen pancakes
farbled / Shutterstock.com
It is a mystery why anyone buys frozen pancakes. Making pancakes at home is super easy. A basic recipe takes a few minutes to whip up, and slightly longer to cook. We know you can do it.
Cook up a big batch on the weekend and freeze the extras to eat throughout the week. Your cost will be pennies per pancake.
11. Basic baking mixes
antoniodiaz / Shutterstock.com
Let’s take it one step further and say you should banish buying all basic baking mixes from the grocery store. If you’re baking with Bisquick, you really aren’t saving any time if you think about how long it takes to mix together flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. All you’re doing is paying more.
The same can be said for basic cookie, cake and brownie mixes. These things aren’t hard to make from scratch. By skipping the mixes, you’ll save money and possibly be a little healthier, too, because of those mysterious added ingredients in processed foods that you don’t put in at home.
Need a recipe? See “10 Food Staples That Are Easy and Cheap to Make Yourself.”
12. Kitchenware
lenetstan / Shutterstock.com
Speaking of baking, the grocery store knows you might need some equipment to cook up all the delicious food you’re buying. That’s why many have a selection of pots, pans and even small kitchen appliances for purchase.
Resist the urge. You can probably find better prices and quality at big retailers stores like Walmart and Costco, or at Amazon.
13. Spices
Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com
Herbs and spices can be another item leading to sticker shock in the grocery store. That tiny little bottle costs how much?!
If you have a bulk food store that sells spices, you can save a bundle. Not only could the per-ounce cost be less than at the grocery store, but you can also buy only as much as you need. No reason to get a whole jar when you only want a teaspoon for a recipe.
You can also find cheap spices at the dollar store, but the quality and freshness may be questionable.
14. Party supplies
By Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com
Like greeting cards, party supplies are sold at the grocery store for a premium. Don’t make the mistake of getting your candles, tablecloths and colorful napkins there.
Swing by the dollar store and buy them on the cheap instead.
15. Coffee
TORWAISTUDIO / Shutterstock.com
It’s the elixir of life for many people, which is probably why it costs so much at the grocery store. To get cheaper coffee, you have a couple of options.
Your warehouse store — noticing a theme here? — is a good place to stock up on bulk packages of whole-bean, ground and K-cup coffee.
If you have a Keurig machine, you can also register it at Keuirg.com, where they send out the occasional good deal.
Perhaps most surprisingly, you can find low sale prices on coffee at office supply stores, like Staples, for instance. These shops also have online coupons and loyalty programs to help you save even more.
16. Toilet paper
Gavran333 / Shutterstock.com
There may be no more essential product to family harmony than toilet paper. And it’s shocking how much tissue paper rolled around a tube can cost in the grocery store.
Head to your warehouse club or office supply store for discounted bulk purchases. Amazon’s Subscribe & Save service is also your friend here.
17. Light bulbs
Rido / Shutterstock.com
It can cost a lot of money to light up your house. Walk past that display in the grocery store if you want to save some cash.
You could go to a warehouse club for lower prices, but you may find the best selection at Amazon.
18. Individually wrapped snacks
Ivan Cheremisin / Shutterstock.com
You know you should buy the jumbo box of goldfish crackers and put them in baggies for school lunches, but that’s way too much work. OK, fine. Just don’t buy those individually wrapped snacks at the grocery store.
You can get a big box of them at a much cheaper price per serving if you go to a warehouse club. Or, see what your local dollar store has in stock.
19. Gift cards
Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com
Forgot to buy a gift? No problem. Grocery stores have set up convenient displays of all sorts of gift cards by the checkout lanes.
Now, for many of these, you might only pay face value. So, you’re probably wondering why we’re saying that you’re overpaying. That’s because you can go to a warehouse club and get, for example, $100 worth of gift cards to many restaurants for only $80. Different chains offer different options, as you can see by looking at:
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
If you’re the proud new parent of a 2020 baby, here’s some good news to get you through those sleepless nights: Your 2020 bundle of joy qualifies you for a sweet bundle of stimulus cash — $1,100 to be exact.
Why Do New Parents Get an Extra $1,100?
The first stimulus check gave parents an extra $500 for each child age 16 and younger on top of the $1,200 for most adults. The second stimulus check provided families with $600 for each adult and dependent child 16 or younger. So between the two checks, parents generally got $1,100 per kid.
Both checks were an advance on a 2020 tax credit that were processed using 2018 or 2019 returns. But the IRS won’t know about any of the babies welcomed into the world in 2020 until you file a tax return.
When you file your 2020 taxes, you can receive the $1,100 as a Rebate Recovery Credit. That just means you’ll get the extra money as a tax refund. That’s on top of the $2,000 child tax credit parents who are single filers with incomes under $200,000 or joint filers with incomes under $400,000 qualify for.
What Are the Income Limits?
For both stimulus checks, the income limits to receive the full stimulus payments were:
$75,000 for single filers
$112,500 for heads of households
$150,000 for married couples filing a joint return
Checks phased out at 5 cents on the dollar for every dollar of income above these thresholds. For a more detailed explanation of how the phaseout works for child credits, check out Question 7 of our child stimulus credit FAQ.
Do I Get $1,100 if I Adopted in 2020?
You should qualify for an $1,100 stimulus payment for your family’s new addition as long as the child you adopted was 16 or younger at the end of 2020. The same rules apply: File your tax return to get the money as a refund.
What if I’m Not Married to My Child’s Other Parent?
The parent who’s claiming the child as a dependent for tax purposes receives the money.
I Didn’t Get the Money for My 2019 Baby. What Gives?
A lot of parents were frustrated to discover that their stimulus checks didn’t include the child credits — particularly in the first round, when many payments were processed using 2018 returns. If the IRS used your 2018 tax information, you wouldn’t have received a payment for a child born in 2019.
The solution is the same, though: File a tax return. If you file taxes online and provide your direct deposit information, you can expect to get that $1,100 of stimulus money within about three weeks.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Send your tricky money questions to [email protected]
It’s many people’s least favorite time of year: tax season.
Between frantically searching for your tax forms, organizing your receipts, figuring out how much it’ll cost you to file and trying to remember the most recent updates to the tax code, tax season can be stressful … to say the least.
Thankfully, some smart software companies have made the process way easier — and, in some cases, even free.
Even the tax pros themselves are getting on board.
“I actually informally started my own tax practice using TurboTax to prepare people’s returns from my kitchen table,” said Ben Rugg, CPA.
So you can rest assured your taxes are in good hands with online tax filing services — and save yourself a boatload of money and stress.
Best Tax Software 2021: At a Glance
The three best online tax programs with paid plans are undoubtedly TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct. Here’s a quick look at how they stack up.
Note: The prices below are accurate as of Jan. 27, 2021 but may fluctuate throughout tax season.
Each of these three tax prep services offers a similar suite of options that are split among their free and paid tiers. The details and prices vary among them, so take a look at the features that are important to you to see which product is the right fit.
Tax Software Features, Compared
Free Editions
Each tax preparation service includes a free option for basic filers. What each covers varies, so which is best for you depends on how complex your tax situation is.
H&R Block: H&R Block’s most basic online version covers earners whose wages come entirely from W-2 income, and also includes deductions for student loan interest and child tax credits.
TurboTax: The TurboTax Free Edition covers W-2 income, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and child tax credits.
TaxAct: This tier covers W-2 income; and tax breaks for dependent deductions, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other child tax credits, student loans and education expenses for current students, and retirement income.
Support for Complicated Returns
Each service offers almost identical paid tiers for more complicated tax returns: a “Deluxe” and a “Premier” or “Premium” tier.
These tiers help you prepare your taxes when you have additional deductions and credits to claim, or you have income from anywhere other than an employer.
H&R Block: Deluxe covers additional deductions related to things like home ownership, charitable donations and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). You’ll need Premium to cover income from freelancing, contract work, investments or real estate.
TurboTax: Deluxe covers mortgage and property tax deductions, charitable donations, student loan interest, education expenses and 1099-MISC income from freelancing or contract work. Premier covers investment and rental property income, and refinancing deductions.
TaxAct: TaxAct Deluxe is more comprehensive than the others; it covers itemized deductions, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, student loan interest, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and adoption credits. Premier adds options for investors, people earning royalties or K-1 income, rental property owners and foreign bank account holders.
Aileen Perilla/The Penny Hoarder
Self-Employment Support
Each service includes support for self-employment income in less expensive tiers.
But if the majority of your income comes from self-employment of any kind — as a freelancer, independent contractor or small business owner — you’ll benefit from tax prep support specifically tailored for self-employment and small business owners.
These versions are the most expensive of the basic online filing options, but they cost significantly less than paying an individual accountant to prepare your taxes. They’re a budget-friendly way to tackle your complicated paperwork and ensure you don’t miss out on vital tax breaks.
All three services provide the same basic support for self-employed filers, but here are some highlights that could help you choose:
H&R Block: An interview-style process walks you through industry-specific expenses and deductions you might miss on your own, and you’ll have access to tools covering asset depreciation.
TurboTax: Get a host of perks designed specifically for freelancers, including deductions for your line of work, ability to import your 1099-MISC with a photo, free access to Quickbooks Self Employed and access to a year-round tax estimator after filing.
TaxAct: Gain the ability to calculate personalized business deductions, calculate depreciation and access year-round planning resources.
Live Tax Assistance
All three companies offer tax help from real, live tax professionals — and this option is where they differ the most. Pay attention to these options if live tax support is important to you!
H&R Block: This is the only of the three that runs brick-and-mortar locations, where you can meet with a tax pro face-to-face. It also lets you upload documents online or drop off paperwork to let them prepare everything for you. Like the others, H&R Block also offers online assistance; you can pay an additional fee to get on-demand access from a tax professional while you prepare your returns through the DIY software.
TurboTax: In place of the DIY products, you can purchase TurboTax Live in similar tiers for on-demand answers to your questions and a line-by-line review of your returns by a CPA or EA.
TaxAct: TaxAct builds live assistance into its tiers. You can’t get it with the free version. Deluxe includes live phone support. Premier and Self-Employed include live phone support plus screen sharing.
Audit Assistance
H&R Block or TurboTax should be your go-to services if you’re concerned about a complicated tax audit. TaxAct doesn’t provide audit support for most customers.
H&R Block: The company’s Peace of Mind Extended Service Plan lets you take in any notification from the IRS to figure out what it means and get access to representation by an H&R Block enrolled agent if you need it.
TurboTax: Through its Audit Support Center, TurboTax customers get access to live, one-on-one guidance online in case of an audit.
TaxAct: TaxAct does NOT provide audit support itself. It gives TaxAct Professional users (tax pros filing taxes for clients) access to third-party service Protection Plus Audit Defense.
Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder
Mobile Apps
H&R Block, TurboTax and TaxAct all have mobile apps available for both iOS and Android. All three offer comparable functionality, though TaxAct’s apps are rated a little lower in their respective app stores than the other two.
Refund Advance
Need money now? H&R Block and TurboTax both offer a tax refund advance, while TaxAct does not. An advance from H&R Block will cost you a lot more than one from TurboTax.
H&R Block: The Emerald Advance line of advance credit to put up to $1,000 of your tax refund in your pocket before you file through a Mastercard debit card with a $45 annual fee and 36% interest rate.
TurboTax: The service offers an advance up to $3,000 (typically around 50%) of your expected federal tax refund with 0% interest and $0 loan fees. Eligible customers get access to funds within a few hours via Visa debit card.
TaxAct: TaxAct doesn’t offer a tax refund advance.
Pay with Your Refund
All three services let you use your tax refund to pay for product and filing fees, so you never see an out-of-pocket cost for your tax preparation. The competition is in the fees.
H&R Block: $39.
TurboTax: $39.99.
TaxAct: $17.99 if you’re receiving your refund by direct deposit or $9.99 if you’re receiving it on a PayPower reloadable debit card.
Guarantees
The companies offer different levels of peace of mind for using their products.
H&R Block: If there’s an error in your tax return, H&R Block will reimburse you for up to $6,000 in additional taxes owed due to its mistake.
TurboTax: If you tally up a larger refund (or similar tax liability) with another tax preparation service, TurboTax will refund your fee (or pay you $30 if you used the Free edition).
TaxAct: If there’s an error on your tax return, TaxAct will reimburse you for up to $100,000 in additional taxes owed dues to its mistake, plus refund your TaxAct fees. If you’re not totally satisfied with TaxAct for any reason, you can discontinue using it before completing your return and paying the fee.
Fees
To prepare and file your taxes online with each service, you’ll pay a product fee, filing fees for state returns, and — depending on the company — fees for live tax professional assistance.
Here’s how they compare.
Alternatively, you can download tax preparation software from each company, so you can save your tax information on your own computer. Software products are tiered similar to online tiers and include a one-time download fee and filing fees.
H&R Block vs. TurboTax vs. TaxAct: Which Is Best for You?
Any of these popular, tested tax preparation services are a good fit for you if you want to DIY your tax returns this year and file online — with added assurance from software or tax pros that you’re doing everything right.
Here are a few standout differences among H&R Block, TurboTax and TaxAct that might help you pick the best product for your situation.
H&R Block is best for you if…
You want access to in-person tax pros. H&R Block is the only of these three services that runs brick-and-mortar offices where you can work with tax pros face-to-face.
You’re concerned about a complicated audit. Both TurboTax and H&R Block provide audit assistance, but H&R Block’s service offers a better user experience and is available in-person — which could be comforting in a stressful situation.
You own a small business. All three services provide ample support for self-employed filers, but H&R Block has the most robust suite of services for year-round tax support.
Aileen Perilla/ The Penny Hoarder
TurboTax is best for you if…
You want live, online help. TurboTax offers online assistance with tax pros comparable to H&R Block’s service at a lower price, and Free filers get free online assistance.
You want to guarantee the biggest refund. TurboTax’s Maximum Refund Guarantee promises to refund your fees if you find a better refund with a different service.
You’re a freelancer. TurboTax’s self-employed editions offers some of the most user-friendly and robust assistance specifically designed for freelancers and independent contractors.
You need a refund advance. Eligible customers get access to a larger advance at no added cost, compared with a smaller advance for an annual fee and interest charges at H&R Block.
TaxAct is best for you if…
You’re shopping for the lowest cost. TaxAct beats its competitors significantly on price at every tier and provides live assistance from a tax professional at no additional cost.
You’re concerned about accuracy. Every tax service comes with an accuracy guarantee, but TaxAct offers one of the highest reimbursement levels at $100,000.
6 Ways to Get Free Tax Filing & Prep Assistance
In addition to these top options for affordable online filing, you can find tons of free ways to file simple returns online for free.
1. IRS Free File
You can always file your federal taxes for free-free, if you’re eligible, through the IRS Free File portal. This service is available to filers who earned $72,000 or less (in 2020), and the page also links to free fillable forms for earners at all levels.
The IRS doesn’t directly provide this service, but it partners with 13 tax preparation companies — like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt — to facilitate your process.
2. United Way MyFreeTaxes
If you made less than $66,000 in 2019*, take advantage of United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program to file federal and state taxes online for free.
The site notes that 100 million Americans qualify for this free filing option, powered by H&R Block.
*Information for tax year 2020 wasn’t available as of this writing, but we suspect it’ll continue to be in line with the IRS Free File requirement of $72,000.
3. TaxSlayer
If a 1040EZ is all you need to file, TaxSlayer will help you do it online for free. The Simply Free edition offers a deduction finder, and you can add your state returns at no charge.
Active duty military members can file a federal return for free, regardless of your tax situation.
4. EFile
EFile offers free basic federal filing and advises this option if you’re single or married and filing jointly with no dependents. You can get 50% off the state filing fee with the promo code “50eFile.com.”
5. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
Get help with basic tax prep from an IRS volunteer through the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA assistance is available to:
People who “generally make $57,000 or less” (for tax year 2020).
People with disabilities.
Limited English-speaking filers.
TCE assistance is available for filers over age 60, and volunteers specialize in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues.
All volunteers are certified by the IRS and many have professional backgrounds in accounting and finance.
6. Credit Karma Tax
Credit Karma provides free federal and state tax filing for the most common tax forms, including those for more complex tax situations, like business income (Schedule C) and itemizing deductions (Schedule A).
Plus, when you create an account to use Credit Karma Tax, you’ll also get access to Credit Karma’s other free services, including a look at your credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax, details from your credit reports and credit score monitoring.
Getty Images
Should You Do Your Own Taxes or Hire a Tax Pro?
So you can file your own taxes from the comfort of your home… but should you?
Rugg told us that some circumstances add new levels of tax considerations you might miss if you don’t bring in a professional eye.
“There are five situations where taxpayers should consider using a professional — when they get married, when they buy a home, when they have a child, when they have investments and/or when they are self-employed,” he said.
One of these events might trigger you to work with a tax pro every year after. Or you might just want to bring in help for the tax year when the change happens so you can get a better understanding of your situation, the forms you’ll need; and the deductions, credits and additional tax liabilities you should know about.
You probably don’t need to work with a tax expert if you’re a single W-2 employee with no dependents or property. You should be able to easily find free a tax software/platform, instead of paying for guidance from a real person or pricy software.
We hope with the best online tax preparation software at hand, April 15 doesn’t seem so ominous anymore.
Just don’t wait until April 14 to file your taxes, and you’ll be fine.
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) has been writing and editing since 2011, covering personal finance, careers and digital media.
