It’s that time of year again: tax season! But don’t fret just yet. We at Ebates have compiled some awesome tips to help you both maximize your refund and save a little extra on filing your taxes. Whether you are looking forward to a refund or expecting to send the IRS a check, these tax saving tips will help you get the job done.
1. Take advantage of the simple tax-return freebies. Millions of Americans need to file only a simple tax return (1040EZ or 1040A) but they end up overpaying someone else to do it or fail to take advantage the numerous tax-filing freebies available. Many popular tax-prep companies will offer free use of their services if you are filing only a simple federal or state return, so make sure you check out those options first to save yourself some extra cash!
2. Need to file a complex tax return? Shop around! There are a lot of choices out there for picking tax-preparation services and software, but don’t let the abundance of options make your head spin. Costs can add up quickly if your return is more complicated, so it’s crucial to shop around before making a selection. First, establish what you’re likely to need this tax season by referring to last year’s tax return. Next, start to compare prices across tax-prep providers to score a deal on the software that best suits your tax profile. Make sure the service you choose covers your necessary federal and state filing forms. Lastly, don’t forget to keep an eye out for state and federal tax-preparation bundles to maximize your filing-service savings!
3. Deductions, deductions, deductions. Taking proper advantage of deductions can add up to some serious savings. Deductions can lower your total tax bill and could mean bigger, juicier tax refunds in April. If you have a job that requires you to purchase special equipment or apparel out of your own pocket, those professional expenses could be deductible. You can deduct charitable donations, too, including the value of any goods you’ve donated to Goodwill or other charities. No matter which tax-prep software or service you go with, double-check that you benefit from all possible miscellaneous deductions, such as childcare-related expenses and healthcare premiums.
4. Boost your tax refunds with credits. Credits are even better than deductions when it comes to turning your refund into Christmas in April. There are credits available for everything from daycare and college-enrollment expenses for your dependents to home-improvement costs. Become familiar with the credits for which your family qualifies because those credits can add up to an awesome refund year after year.
5. Keep your tax-prep software and guides up to date. It may seem obvious, but keeping your tax-prep materials updated can mean even bigger savings and refunds. Using the latest versions of tax-prep software ensures that you are taking advantage of the current tax law, including all of the latest deductions and credits that may be available to you. Keep an eye out for updates that include new credits or deductions for things such as energy-efficiency improvements to your home or a new hybrid vehicle. Pay attention to changes in credits and deductions, because losing or gaining either one could have a major impact on your family’s budget. Using a tax-preparation program such as TurboTax or TaxAct should automatically apply these updates, but double-check that your software is the 2016 version. Better safe — and maybe a little richer — than sorry!
6. Timing is everything. It’s best to file your taxes early for many money-related reasons. First, filing early usually means you will get your refund earlier. Beat the April filing rush, get your refund processed early and all your friends will wonder when you became such a tax whiz. Second, preparing your taxes early is the best way to avoid a nasty surprise in case you owe the IRS a large chunk of money. Better to discover that bill early rather than the night before taxes are due! Plus, if you figure out how much you owe, you can ask the IRS for an installment payment plan to pay off your bill. Moral of the story? Start early! Once you’ve finished filing, you can go back to binge-watching TV guilt-free because you don’t have to worry about your taxes again until 2018!
Related Links:
Tax Preparation Coupons
Deals on Tax Preparation
e-File Coupons
H&R Block Tax Prep Deals
Intuit Quickbooks Promo Codes
Deals on Personal Finance
Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.
Take a Hike
We’ve officially made it to the middle of winter: less-than-ideal weather, not enough sunlight and a serious case of cabin fever mixed with the mid-winter doldrums. The holidays are a fading memory and spring break dreams are still too far away to get excited about. But don’t despair! Winter is a great time to hunker down, get organized and take advantage of some seriously exciting online shopping opportunities and deals. Check out these three ideas to beat the winter blues with the best things to buy in February so you can take on the rest of the year in style while earning Cash Back at 
Tax Season Deals – Whether you anticipate having to send a fat check to the IRS or you’re expecting a juicy refund in April, February is a great time to get your financial ducks in a row. Keeping your books in order can help you get a better picture of your finances and can even help you start saving for things like that desperately needed getaway. Grab some office supplies, start a new Netflix show and finally start tackling those piles of paperwork and receipts you’ve been ignoring for months. Here’s betting that you can finish the task before you even get to the season finale! Even if you don’t have the ambition to finish your taxes yet, tax software is one of the best things to buy in February because you can get some of the hottest deals of the year. If you see a tax software promo online, grab it ASAP because the closer we get to April, the less likely these sales are to pop up.
Smartphones – Have the February blues left you yearning for some new and shiny tech? A new smartphone will put some pep in your step and help you get organized to take on anything else the year throws your way. Cash in on some of the awesome winter deals available from major carriers and take your February goals mobile with amazing deals on smartphones. If you’ve been itching to switch networks, capitalize on the current carrier trend that will pick up the tab and pay off your old network to make your switch super easy. Even if you weren’t considering a shift, it’s a great time of year for a fresh start with a new phone plan, so shop around to catch the best deal on smartphones and save even more with Cash Back at 
Home Goods – If you are stuck inside thanks to the current snowpocalypse that’s going on outside, you might as we make the most of it and freshen up your living space. It’s the perfect time of year to make some changes and clear out some clutter while you wait for the weather to perk up. Looking for fabulous living room or bedroom ideas? Check out design blogs, Pinterest and online furniture stores for visual inspiration on how to perfect your personal space. Winter is a great time to add fun, bright accessories and accent walls to your home for a wonderful pop of color and some February cheer. Take advantage of winter clearance events on big-ticket items like sofas, bedroom sets and more to give your home a new look at a fabulous price.
Free Burritos! (Cat Not Included) – Chipotle is working hard to earn back the public’s trust after their run-in with norovirus an E.Coli. If you’re ready to accept their “My Bad,” there may be a free burrito in it for you. Managers are now authorized to give away free food to get you back in their good graces and the company is running a promotion where the first 1,500 catering orders of 20 burritos or more placed for Super Bowl Sunday will receive a $50 discount.
Walmart
