I don't know about you, but income tax time makes me break out in a cold sweat. The Internet won't help your nerve problems, but it can provide you with helpful information--and even forms-- to make filing your taxes less of a hassle.  

Internal Revenue Service's official site provides broad and immediate access to IRS tax information and services. http://www.irs.ustreas.gov 

At the Secure Tax site, you can prepare your federal and state tax returns on-line, and you don't have to install or download fancy software to do it. "Just enter the basic data, and SecureTax will handle the calculations for you. 85 federal forms and forms for 45 states are available for your immediate use. Best of all, its totally FREE." http://www.securetax.com 

The Tax Forms site allows you to download federal and state tax forms. http://www.lib.lsu.edu/govdocs/taxes.html 

TaxSites - Internet income tax related information features links to newsgroups, newsletters, and mailing lists; public and professional tax articles; U.S. legislative, judicial, and executive resources; tax software; social security information; and even foreign tax data. http://www.best.com/~ftmexpat/html/taxsites.html 

The Tax History Project at Tax Analysts provides information on the development of the federal income tax. They even maintain an archive of presidential tax returns. http://www.taxhistory.org/ 

At the EY TaxCast Front Page, you can talk with tax professionals, link to other tax sites, and read articles such as Clinton Unveils FY98 Budget. The site contains filing information for individuals, tax analysts news, and stock quotes. http://www.taxcast.com/

Tax Tips and Facts is maintained by a CPA and features articles such as: Dependents and Deductions; Work Opportunity Credit; Mutual Fund Trades; Your First Business Tax Return; Beepers Can Save You Money; Estate Tax; and, Computer Tips. http://www.rak-1.com/

Tax Help Online explains how to survive a tax audit, how to prevent tax problems, how to lower your taxes, and gives up-to-date tax information. http://www.taxhelponline.com/

"Embark on a cyber-journey with the Tax Prophet, as he deciphers the Internal Revenue Code for U.S. and foreign taxpayers, and professionals alike." http://www.taxprophet.com/

U.S. Tax Code On-Line allows you to access the complete text of the United States Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 of the U.S. Code (26 USC). http://www.fourmilab.ch/ustax/ustax.html

Tax World Homepage provides tax information from around the world and contains sections on tax information sites, tax policy, a history of taxation, online tax courses, and downloadable files. http://omer.actg.uic.edu/

Essential Links to Taxes contains online resources to "taxpayer tips and information on income tax preparation assistance, rules, tax code, financial planners and tax preparers, forms (from W-2 to Form 1040), publications, instructions, deductions and filing." http://www.el.com/elinks/taxes/

At the Tax Analysts Home Page, you'll find discussion groups, a tax clinic, a Tax Notes Newswire, a section on Public Access to the Law, and links. http://www.tax.org/

TaxLynx is a free tax software program that can be ordered online, and you pay only the standard shipping charges of $8.95. The program interviews you like a professional tax preparer would, helps you determine which forms and schedules you need, and tells you what deductions to take. TaxLynx includes the 1040, 1040EZ, 1040NR, and 1040A plus over 150 associated forms and schedules. http://www.taxlynx.com/

Join me next week as we search for sites for the all American sport of baseball. See you then!

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

Back to Main Articles Page