Just efiled my federal taxes for the first time

[hippywife]

and I have some questions. Anyone else file this way regularly?

[retread]

1. Yes. Ever since the option was available.

[hippywife]

2. OK, cool! :0)

I went in and applied for electronic signatures for both me and my husband. It gave me the numbers and I wrote them down.

Then I went and did the filing myself just using the on-line PDF forms rather than choosing a filing software. No problems. When I finished filling out the form there was no place to put the electronic signature numbers, the cursor wouldn't even go into the signature line. Also there were no instructions to transmit the electronic form.

So, my questions are:

1.) Was applying for the electronic sigs all I had to do and they will match them with the filing?
2.) Was filling out the PDF form on-line all I had to do and the filing is complete, or do I have to send the saved copy of the form somewhere? And if so, where?

[retread]

3. Never filed that way. I always use tax software and for the last 3 or 4 years I

use the web software. Turbo Tax or TaxAct.At the end both ask if you wish to e-file and then ask for a credit card number as the e-filling and/or software is not free.

Where was the pdf? Don't you have to submit? Isn't there feedback from IRS as to whether the online filling was accepted? This year it was immediate but in the past I have waited a day or 2.

[hippywife]

5. No, it came to a total dead-end.

That's why I'm not sure I did it right. There were no further instructions.

They offered the option to do it through a free software company or to do it yourself. I just did it myself and chose my forms and completed them.

I bet this didn't work right. I'm just going to have to go back and look at it all again, I guess.

[retread]

7. If I'm not mistaken the IRS has free forms on their web site.

Just checked and they do.

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html?portlet=1

[txwhitedove]

4. I e-file every year, for several years. The format you use will tell you

whether or not you need to mail forms in. If you used the pin and electronic signature and pushed 'File' or send then it will tell you the form was submitted. Usually within 24-hours you can check back to see if it was accepted. I love filing this way.

[hippywife]

6. I got no such button or link

that said file or send. And I followed the steps on the website under #2 under OR

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

[txwhitedove]

8. You did give them your e-mail address, correct? You should get an e-mail

and you should be able to get back into your account with a password to either re-print your finished form or check the status. Hard to say with the IRS site. I use e-smarttax.com.

[hippywife]

9. I didn't opt to use the software.

Maybe that's where I went wrong. They make it sound like you don't have to. I'm going to have to do this over.

[txwhitedove]

11. It really is safe to file on-line, and my refund is direct deposited so I don't

have to worry.

[retread]

10. I went through this process a little. There is a step that says

3. "File your tax return: Electronically file your tax return to the IRS.
- If you e-file, select the 'E-file Your Tax Forms' tab, complete the e-file form, and transmit.

[hippywife]

I think I just figured it out.

When I got to this page:

http://www.irs.gov/app/scripts/exit.jsp?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freefilefillableforms.org

I just chose Forms and Publications. I'm thinking I needed to chose Leave IRS website.

What a stupid set-up. They don't explain this very well.

[retread]

13. I think you leave the IRS to file. I just chose 1040A and the form popped up. At the top right

is a series of buttons one called efile. I "assume" after filling out the form you would choose efile?

https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/FFA/Gateway.htm

[txwhitedove]

14. That IRS website has a link that takes you to several software filing options.

If you taxes are simple, you shouldn't have to mail anything.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. I used TurboTax last year and this year. I think next year, I will

go back to the paper forms. Seems they want a hard copy anyway and I think TurboTax wants to much money for the service they provide. My taxes are not so complicated that I need a computer to process it.

You missed my rant on TurboTax on Friday... I was not a happy camper.

meh.

I don't mind paying taxes but, why does the process have to be so painful?

[hippywife]

15. OK everyone!

I have it figured out. They don't make things very clear. Why would I think that clicking the Leave IRS button was what I needed to select from the wording on that page? :banghead:

[hippywife]

16. I'm with you, TA.

I used to do our taxes using Kiplinger's Taxcut every year when my husband had his own business. If I had known that I need to type in the whole W-2 forms, too, I would have just done it by paper earlier instead of leaving it to the last minute.

I don't mind paying them either. I like that we all (or the idea that we all)pay taxes to make things possible for everyone. I wish we didn't spend so much on the military, tho, and put the money into helping those who need it get an education and other programs like that.

:hi: