Resources for choosing and using tax software
Official sources, real dates, common mistakes, and the terms worth knowing before you file.
- IRS Free File — Check current-year income eligibility for genuinely free federal (and often state) filing.
- IRS.gov — Official source for federal tax forms, deadlines, and current-year rules.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Independent consumer guidance on tax-related financial products and scams to avoid.
Rules, thresholds and providers described here are those of the United States.
Key filing dates to know
These shift slightly some years when the standard date falls on a weekend or holiday — always confirm the exact current-year date on irs.gov.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late January | IRS e-file typically opens for the season — this is generally the earliest you can file your federal return. |
| End of January | Employers and most payers are legally required to send W-2s and most 1099s to you by this point. |
| Typically April 15 | The standard US federal filing deadline. If it falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day. |
| Mid-October | The extended filing deadline if you filed for an extension by the original April date — an extension to file is not an extension to pay. |
Always confirm current dates with the official source — they move.
Checklists you can work through
Before you choose software
- List every income source you had this year — W-2, 1099, rental, investment
- Decide roughly how complex this year's return is compared to last year
- Check whether you might qualify for IRS Free File based on income
- Set a real budget including state filing, not just federal
- Note whether you'll need audit protection based on your actual risk factors
- Check whether your broker or exchange supports direct import if you have investments
Before you file
- All W-2s and 1099s are in hand and match what you're entering
- Prior-year AGI is on hand to verify your identity for e-filing
- Social Security numbers for you and any dependents are entered exactly as on file
- Deductions you're claiming have supporting documentation
- You've reviewed the final price, including state filing, before submitting payment
- You know the actual current-year filing deadline, not just "April"
Common tax software mistakes
Comparing only the advertised federal price
Add state filing and any add-ons you'll actually use before comparing two products — use the fee comparison tool to see the real total.
Starting in the free tier without checking it covers your situation
If you have self-employment, rental, or significant investment income, budget for a paid tier from the start rather than hitting a paywall partway through.
Assuming IRS Free File and a company's own "free" tier are the same thing
Check eligibility for IRS Free File directly on irs.gov — it's a separate program with its own income threshold.
Switching software after entering a complex return
Compare total cost before you start entering data — most software doesn't import a competitor's in-progress return.
Buying audit protection reflexively without checking if it fits your risk
Consider your actual audit-risk factors — large self-employment deductions, rental losses — before adding this at checkout.
Not tracking self-employment or rental expenses through the year
Keep receipts and records as you go — no software can reconstruct a year of missing bookkeeping accurately at filing time.
Glossary
The words that get used as if everyone already knows them.
AGI (Adjusted Gross Income)
Your total income minus specific adjustments — used to verify your identity for e-filing and to determine eligibility for many credits.
Standard deduction
A fixed dollar amount you can subtract from your income instead of itemizing individual deductions — most filers use this.
Itemized deduction
Claiming specific individual deductions (mortgage interest, charitable gifts, etc.) instead of the standard deduction, when they add up to more.
W-2
The form an employer sends reporting your wages and the taxes already withheld from your paycheck.
1099
A form reporting income paid to you outside of regular employment — freelance work, interest, dividends, and more, depending on the type.
E-file
Filing your tax return electronically rather than mailing a paper return — faster processing and faster refunds in most cases.
Audit protection
An optional paid add-on that provides professional help if the IRS contacts you about your return — it does not cover taxes you actually owe.
IRS Free File
A government-run program offering free federal filing to filers under an annual income threshold, through partner software.
Filing status
Your tax category — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — which affects your tax brackets and deductions.
Refund advance
A short-term loan some tax software offers against your expected refund, typically at no or low interest but worth reading the terms on.
Estimated tax payments
Quarterly payments self-employed filers and others without withholding generally need to make throughout the year, not just at filing time.
Amended return
A correction to a return you already filed and had accepted, done using Form 1040-X in the United States.