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Parenting & Technology: Less than Taxing Tips for E-Filing

April is around the corner, and before you know it your taxes will be due. I think most people will agree with me when I say that tax season is no fun. For most parents, taxes are an unwelcome intrusion that takes away time we would otherwise be spending with our children and spouses. Filling out paper forms takes too long and hiring someone means less of that rebate can go in the college fund. Lucky for us, we live in a time where our other spouse- our home PC- can assist us.

More and more Americans are using technology to make their lives easier at tax time. According to the IRS, 2006 saw more than 73 million Americans file their tax returns electronically. Web sites provided by organizations ranging from the IRS to the CPA Board allow time-constrained people, like parents for example, to file their taxes quickly and comfortably at low or no cost.

As a Geek Squad Agent and father, I don't have time to complete pages of paperwork and I'd rather not pay the extra money to hire someone to do my taxes. With the right direction, I'm able to utilize my technology to find the tools I need to complete my taxes quickly and hassle-free. The Internet offers a number of ways for people to do their taxes on their own.

Here are some quick tax tips to ensure that you receive many happy returns:

1. Plan Ahead: PCs and laptops come standard with software that rarely gets activated, but can make life run more smoothly. From Intuit's Quicken to Microsoft's Money, options abound:

• If self-employed, calendar your tax year in advance so that quarterly payments and forms are submitted on time. You can even program email reminders so that you don't miss a deadline.
• Catalog receipts and deductions via spreadsheet throughout the year so that tax time doesn't become overwhelming.
• Utilize financial software that speaks directly to your bank, making checkbook balancing, bill paying and record-keeping simple.

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