Some of the most painful moments in my life are spent in front of a stack of papers to my left, a computer in front of me and a a pen and pad on the right of me.  It happens every year and every year it has driven me insane.  One of the things that help me get through this is tax preparation software.

In terms of tax returns, last year was a challenging one.  I was a contract employee with lots of business expenses.  Combine that with the new baby in December and all that equals lots and lots of paperwork to log for Uncle Sam.  And despite my many, many years of doing my own taxes, I always seem to get stuck on a question or two (or fifteen!).  The IRS website can be helpful, but it is bogged down by lots of legalize.  For simple, upfront answers I go to sites like Intuit’s Tax Guides – click here.  For a guy like me who’s married with children and a full time job and a full time student, it helps me make sense of all the madness that is tax season.

I remember one year we had to file an extension.  I was having a difficult time getting all the paperwork together.  I had no clue on how to file for an extension.  I came across this site detailing how to file an extension online.  Found it helpful.  The software recommendations were a great bonus as well since I was not happy with the software I was using at the time.

I wish you all the best of luck this tax season.  Here’s to Uncle Sam ruling in your favor. *Cheers!