10-second breakdown:
Mobile-friendly and doesn’t require a credit card to file you return electronically. One of the best options for younger taxpayers and millennials looking for straight-forward options and pricing.
The good:
No matter what forms you have to file, ezTaxReturn will only cost you a flat fee. The more complicated your return the more money you’ll save over the other software products in the tax prep space. All prices are clearly listed on their website.
A huge positive is the ability to start and finish your return on any device with an internet connection. The software is made to be very mobile friendly.
Surprisingly detailed for being such a cost-effectively option and they guarantee the maximum refund possible.
The bad:
The interface works well, but it isn’t on the same level as some of the higher-end products. It will get the job done, but won’t be as smooth of a process.
Ala carte options are available for an extra charge, but not included in the basic version.
How it works:
ezTaxReturn takes an entirely different approach to the old process of paying taxes. In a market that is priced on a pay-per-form model, they’ve simplified their pricing and geared their products to a younger generation of society.
You get the same result (having your taxes paid), but in a way that is clear, upfront, and mobile-friendly. Before we get into the filing details, we’ll have to go over their products and plans briefly. You’ll notice something very different about them, they don’t have tiered levels. Take a look:
Free: If you meet the governmental requirements for obtaining a free tax prep software they have one available. It will include a simple 1040EZ and you’ll need to meet the salary requirements (under $62,000 annually).
Federal tax return: No matter what filing status you have, or what types of deductions, you’ll only need to pay one flat price to file your federal return with this software. Your return will be stored securely for 3 years and you also get “no-wait-on-hold phone support” included.
State tax return: To file a state return separately from your federal, it will be a different fee. You get the software to prepare and file it. This product comes with the same 3-year secure storage and phone support as all other products. The price is better than most competitors for a state return.
Federal + State tax return: This product is exactly what it says—both state and federal preparation and filing in one. The price for both together is less than if purchased separately and again includes most forms and schedules necessary for anyone filing their taxes.
Audit Defense Protection: Most tax preparation software companies charge extra for audit defense, and ezTaxReturn is not different. The service promises to deal with the IRS for you in the event it is necessary.
Amended Return: If you need to amend a return from a prior year, but feel like you need some guidance, there is a product for you. The IRS doesn’t accept e-filed amendments to your taxes, but you can easily print them off and send them in through the mail.
After you’ve chosen the best product for your needs, it’s time to get your taxes started. ezTaxReturn allows you to start and finish your return on any mobile device. While the big names in the industry usually do have apps, it seems that this provider is really going after mobile.
Users can be guided through the process or choose a more “do-it-yourself” style, but both will look similar to other software products. Most deductions are discovered through a series of questions like, “did you buy a home?” among many others and do a great job of helping you find those extra dollars.
While there is a decent amount of deduction help, the software doesn’t account for too many complex tax situations. While you can file most forms, it may not be the best for small business owners, sole proprietors, or single-member LLC’s. It also may not be something for those who prefer to move quickly and skip parts you’re not ready to complete yet. There actually doesn’t seem to be a way to skip sections and everything needs to be entered before moving on.
The product is continually getting better and now offers phone support for all customers. In fact, they promise that you won’t have to wait on hold before speaking to a real person (something the competitors can’t say).
Again, this product seems to be geared heavily toward the younger generation who are digitally-minded. Some of the features to this end include the 3-year secure storage the ezTaxReturn provides. Users can download previous returns an unlimited amount of times over the course of those years. This feature is great if you want to skip using paper files. The younger folks will also enjoy that simple pricing structure and the promise of “NO up-sell” from the providers. You pay, you calculate, then you file—that’s it. There aren’t four or five screens that will try to sell you extras before you get to the filing.
Once you’ve moved through the process and are ready to file, you can choose to print off your returns, but can also leave them safely with the company. Unless you purchased the Federal and State product, you won’t be prompted to file your state return so make sure you got the right software before starting.
In the end, if you don’t have a complicated tax situation and want the bonus of keeping your files safe within the company’s storage; ezTaxReturn could be for you. Especially if you want a clear pricing model and a no-nonsense filing.
Sidenote: Printing out your returns is always a good idea. Make sure you save a version on your computer that can be opened with another program, like a PDF, so you won’t need the software anymore after filing.
For complete rankings of all online tax preparation software, go here.
http://authority.org/online-tax-software/eztaxreturn/ http://authorityorg.tumblr.com/post/149453801907
No comments:
Post a Comment