subject: Doing Tax Returns With Turbotax Free Edition [print this page] Doing our tax returns is something that almost everyone procrastinates on. As much as possible, you want to budget time to complete your tax returns so you can submit them on time. Fortunately, most individuals only need to deal with the tax headache once a year, when tax season comes along. Despite this, there can be a number of cases when it makes sense to utilize tax service as well as software such as Turbotax outside the regular season for filing taxes. We will discuss some of these cases in the paragraphs that follow.
In all cases, your tax liability is due in mid-April, and you will have to send that in at the very least. The good news is that as far as the tax return itself is concerned, you can take more time if you need to by filing for an extension. Extensions are pretty generous, and allow you to take up to an extra half year to submit your forms. If you want to do this, all you need to do is fill out Form 4868, for Automatic Extension on Time To File. Alternatively, you can use Turbotax to file your extension as well.
Amendments to your returns frequently become necessary, and this is yet an additional reason why you might use Turbotax after the filing period. There can be many reasons why an amendment can be necessary, such as correcting previous errors. Other reasons you might need to file an amendment include receiving corrected W-2s, additional 1099 forms that you receive late, or deductions you may have forgotten to take. Fortunately, amendments are pretty easy and straightforward to file. There is not need to rush an amendment either, as you have up to three years to file one. If you have not used a tax service in the past, you may want them to review older returns to see if you overlooked any deductions. If you already own Turbotax, you can generally submit an amended return using Turbotax free. Amended returns are only accepted in hard copy form, so you will have to print and mail them instead of filing them electronically. If you have a refund coming, you will usually receive it in about two or three months.
