Friday, May 23, 2014

All About Tax Preparation Houston

By Minnie Whitley


In the city of Houston, TX, and anywhere else in the country, taxpayers have a number of options when they want to prepare their tax returns. For instance, they can do their own returns. They can also hire accountants to do it for them. The newest option in the market is using software to prepare and file tax returns. Whichever option is chosen for tax preparation Houston residents need to give a lot of thought to the cost and time it takes as well as the accuracy of the returns.

There are two different types of taxes that every taxpayer must pay and account for. These are the federal and state taxes. Since taxpayers earn different types of incomes, their bills and returns are never the same. For instance, there are those who earn a combination of employment income, capital gains, dividends and interest from savings and investments among other things. The types of incomes a person earns will guide him or her on the most suitable option to use.

Generally, taxpayers who file their returns and pay their taxes early get their refunds without any delays. This is because the IRS gives priority to those who file and pay early. To ensure that no delays occur, taxpayers may want to consider filing their returns as soon as the tax filing period opens. It is important to note that taxes should be paid on a monthly basis.

Taxpayers who are not able to file their returns within the given time-frame should ask for an extension. The IRS grants extensions easily, so taxpayers should not worry if they fail to meet the deadline. Whichever option you pick for preparing your taxes, accuracy is of the utmost importance. After all, you do not want to find yourself on the wrong side of the law just because you made a simple error.

If only taxpayers knew about the tax credits and deductions for which they qualify, their tax bills would be much lower. It is the right of every taxpayer to enjoy all the tax benefits for which they qualify. Getting a discount can significantly lower the taxes payable by an individual.

Many expenses like purchasing an energy efficient AC system, paying medical bills and tuition among other types of expenses can be deducted from the gross income of a taxpayer. Contributions to IRAs can also be deducted from the gross income earned. The AGI (adjusted gross income) is calculated by deducting retirement contributions from the gross income.

Once the tax bill has been calculated, there are credits or discounts that can help to reduce the bill significantly. For instance, being married and having children qualifies a taxpayer for a discount. If you are unsure about the types of credits and deductions that you claim, be sure to work with an expert.

Tax preparation and filing can be very easy if computer software is used. There are many programs in the market that can help individuals to do their taxes. They are accurate and very easy to use. Consumers should use the most widely used software. After all, nobody wants to be in the wrong alone.




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