IF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC forced you to move or work remotely, file for unemployment benefits or pick up a side gig to earn extra income, filing your tax return could be more complicated than in the past. The economic stimulus checks sent to millions of taxpayers, which represented advance payments of a 2020 tax credit, also create the potential for confusion.
Preparing your own return instead of hiring a preparer could save you money, but tax software can get expensive in a hurry, even for taxpayers with fairly straightforward returns. And a program that shortchanges your refund—or gets you in trouble with the IRS—is no bargain.
To help you find the program that’s right for you, Kiplinger reviewed the online versions of the most popular programs and ranked them based on cost, ease of use, tax help and more. We used two fictional tax returns: one for a single taxpayer who had income reported on Form W-2 and some freelance income, and a second for a married couple with a young child and a mortgage who itemized deductions. (For more on our methodology, see the box on the facing page.) To account for some pandemic-related circumstances that could affect taxpayers, we looked at how the programs handled the economic stimulus payments millions of taxpayers received in 2020 and early 2021, which represented an advance payment of a tax credit on your 2020 tax return. In addition, we gave one of the spouses in our fictional couple unemployment benefits, and we had our single taxpayer move from Maryland to his parents’ home in Ohio to determine how the programs accounted for multiple state filings. (For more on your tax obligations if you moved last year, see “You Can Still Save Money on Your Taxes,” on page 36.)
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2021 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2021 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES
We looked at IRS rules for 2025 on everything from tax brackets to how much you can save in retirement accounts.
GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR
Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.
SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?
You can fend off big veterinary bills with a policy that covers your furry companion.
THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME
If you return to a beloved destination again and again, purchasing a home there may be a smart move-but don't overlook the costs and effort that go into it.
HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES
Staggered retirement is increasingly common, but it can create financial and emotional challenges.
AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS
KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF
Whether you're looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own.
My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025
SINCE 1993, I have offered an annual list of 10 stocks with the potential to beat the market in the 12 months ahead. My 2024 selections notched the highest return ever: an average of 48.9%. I beat the S&P 500 index by 10.8 percentage points, and every one of my stocks was up-six by more than 30%.
WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?
EXCHANGE-traded funds have exploded in popularity, with the industry now reaching the milestone of $10 trillion in assets.
TIPS FROM INSIDERS
When corporate insiders buy or sell, it can offer clues on whether you should do the same.
