Monday 19 May 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.

All US citizens, legal residents, businesses and corporate entities are required to pay two types of taxes. One is for the state while the other is for the federal government. Tax rates are usually tiered to ensure fairness. There are also different types of taxes that are levied on different types of incomes. Earned income from employment is the most popular in the US. Income from dividends, capital gains and interest on savings are also very popular.

The IRS usually takes some time to process refunds. Unfortunately, some people have to wait for months before getting their refund. This is because they filed their returns very late, or they had not paid all their taxes. Usually, taxpayers who pay their taxes early and file their returns before the filing deadline get their refund without having to wait for long. Ideally, consumers should try to pay their taxes whenever they get any type of income.

The IRS usually gives extensions to individuals who are not able to meet the filing deadline. However, taxpayers have to submit a request for this. Failure to do so will be considered a default, and there are penalties associated with defaulting. Whether you file your returns on time or during the extension, it is important that you check your forms to ensure that you have provided accurate information.

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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