anyone here who knows about taxes and isn't a tax-refusenik looney?

[rob]

Seems like last year there were postings about taxes here --
but a quick scan this time showed none.

Just in case any sane folks are lurking here, I have a
question that is actually about taxes:

I've been using tax prep programs for many years but have
yet to file electronically because I had to do it thru some
other entity. So I send the fools paper every time. Is there
now a way for an individual like me to 'electronically' file
my return directly with the IRS (and not go thru some tax
prep company)? I should be able to go to a secure site,
register, and send them a doc generated by my tax return
software. Surely they will eventually get this done but I
haven't seen it announced yet.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Don Priebe]

I've been using tax prep programs for many years but have
yet to file electronically because I had to do it thru some other entity.
So I send the fools paper every time. Is there now a way for an individual
like me to 'electronically' file my return directly with the IRS (and not
go thru some tax prep company)? I should be able to go to a secure site,
register, and send them a doc generated by my tax return software. Surely
they will eventually get this done but I haven't seen it announced yet.

Not at this time at the federal level. I think some states have this
available for their returns.

(Stand by for the great debate on whether this is a good thing or not, a
conspiracy, etc.)

 

[Paul Thomas]

Seems like last year there were postings about taxes here --
but a quick scan this time showed none.

Just in case any sane folks are lurking here, I have a question that is
actually about taxes:

I've been using tax prep programs for many years but have yet to file
electronically because I had to do it thru some other entity. So I send
the fools paper every time. Is there now a way for an individual like me
to 'electronically' file my return directly with the IRS (and not go thru
some tax prep company)? I should be able to go to a secure site, register,
and send them a doc generated by my tax return software. Surely they will
eventually get this done but I haven't seen it announced yet.

There is no such ability at this time, and I doubt it'll actually get to
that point (well, maybe, but it's a long way off).

I also doubt the states (which are light years ahead of the IRS) accept the
data from your software, but many have a site for you to enter the data to
web based forms (basically after you computed things on paper or with other
software).

It seems like it would be easy, but you have to know who you're dealing with
here, the US Government.

For now, you'll have to e-file through a third party or continue mailing in
the return.