15 Ways to Make Doing Taxes Easier

Income tax forms are never fun to fill out, but filing taxes on time is important.

Many people get a refund when submitting returns, and that may be especially likely during the 2021 tax filing season if you didn't receive the full amount of stimulus money available last year. And, of course, if you aren't getting a refund, you'll want to be especially certain you pay your bill on time to avoid penalties.

While it may seem like a big hassle to complete all the paperwork and get your forms sent to the IRS, there are ways to simplify the process. Here are 15 tips to make the tax-filing process a much more pleasant experience this year.

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Rushing to file your taxes can add stress to the process. To make it easier, start well before the April tax deadline so you aren't scrambling to get your documents submitted at the last minute.

Another big benefit of starting early is that if you run into problems, you'll have plenty of time to solve them.

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It can take several hours to go through all of your documents and complete all the required tax paperwork -- especially if you have a complex tax situation.

Set aside some uninterrupted time so you can work through the forms completely. If you have to stop in the middle of the process, you could forget where you left off and things could slip through the cracks.

There are many different forms you're likely to need when you do your returns. This can include documents showing the income you earned, receipts detailing deductible expenses, and statements from financial institutions showing interest earned or paid.

It's best to have all of your paperwork in one place so you can easily answer all of the IRS questions on your 1040 forms. Gathering your documents before you get started can also help you identify anything that's missing so you can contact the requisite parties to get it.

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If you're married, chances are good that you'll submit your tax returns as married filing jointly. This means you'll need to make sure both spouses have their documents ready and are prepared to declare all their income and claim all their deductions and expenses.

Ideally, since both spouses are responsible for the information on returns, they'll work together to fill out the forms to ensure they're on the same page.

The easiest way to file your taxes is to use software that simplifies the process. Many programs will walk you through completing your forms by asking you questions in plain English that you can easily understand.

The IRS provides details on different online tools that you can use to file your returns. These software programs are free for people with income under a certain level.

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The IRS provides plenty of different tools designed to help address some of the most common tax issues. For example, if you aren't sure what filing status to use, this Interactive Tax Assistant can help you decide.

You can actually find a complete list of the different tools available to you from the IRS, including tools to help you see who can be claimed as a dependent and what forms should be used for your tax filing.

ALSO READ: How to File Your Taxes: A Beginner's Guide

Some taxpayers are entitled to free tax help from volunteer organizations. This include lower-income filers as well as those who are blind or for whom English is a second language.

You can find volunteer sites near you on the IRS website and see if you qualify for support. If you do, taking advantage of this free help can make tax returns almost effortless.

Taking a look at your prior year's returns can help simplify the filing process this tax season.

Your past returns will have information on key issues such as your filing status, which forms you submitted, and deductions and credits you claimed.

Unless your life circumstances have changed dramatically over the course of the year -- such as if you got married or started a business or sold a home -- chances are your returns will be fairly similar from one year to the next.

ALSO READ: A Basic Checklist for Filing Your Taxes

Using the same tax-filing software from one year to the next can simplify the process of submitting your tax forms.

The software will keep your past returns and may be able to autofill some information based on what you submitted in the past.

Because it can be easier to stick with the same software, it's a good idea to research online filing tools carefully when you pick one so you can find a program you'll be happy with for years to come.

When you file your taxes, you have to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing. The standard deduction is a flat amount for everyone with the same filing status, while itemizing means claiming deductions for specific expenditures.

It's usually more complicated to itemize, and you'll have to both keep more paperwork and submit additional forms in some circumstances. Unless you can save more by itemizing than claiming the standard deduction, it's not worth the extra work.

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Submitting your tax forms electronically is secure and simple since you don't have to print and mail the paperwork. The IRS also processes e-filed returns faster, so there's no reason not to use this approach.

ALSO READ: 4 Reasons to File Your Taxes Electronically

When you submit your returns, it's also a good idea to provide your bank information to the IRS and request your refund via direct deposit.

In most cases, when you e-file and opt for direct deposit, you'll have the money from your refund within 21 days. If you don't do these two steps, it could take six weeks or longer to get your money.

In some cases, you'll find that you simply can't submit your tax forms by the April deadline. If that's the case, you can file a timely request for an extension before your returns would have been due.

Extensions are typically granted automatically, and you'll have until October to submit your forms once you've requested one. Doing this allows you to avoid penalties for late filing, which can be substantial.

Be aware, though, that an extension to file doesn't mean you get more time to pay, so be sure you send in any unpaid tax funds by April 18 to avoid owing extra money to the IRS.

ALSO READ: Requesting a Tax Extension? Here's 1 Important Thing You Need to Know

It's much easier to catch and fix errors before you submit your tax forms than it is to file an amended return.

So to avoid the hassle of having to make corrections later -- or of potentially facing an audit if the IRS discovers discrepancies -- always read over your paperwork before sending it to the IRS.

Finally, it's important to keep your tax forms and all documents to back up your deductions and credits after submitting your returns. That way, if the IRS has questions, you'll have all of the material needed to answer them at the ready.

While your online tax software will keep digital copies, you may still have physical records -- such as receipts for charitable contributions -- that you need to hang onto. It can also be a good idea to print your 1040 forms and other paperwork submitted to the IRS so you have a hard copy in your possession in case you need it.

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By following as many of these 15 tips as possible, it really can become easier to file your tax return.

Since submitting these forms is something you typically must do each and every year, it's worth the effort to find a way to make the process work better for you.

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