The Biden Administration made an exception to this rule for tax year 2020, the return you'll file in 2021. The filing deadline has been extended from April 15 to May 17, 2021, in response to the ongoing pandemic. Because of COVID-19, filing taxes may be different and more complicated than in previous years. Some people moved cities, filed for unemployment, or started working from home, adding additional forms and changing their filing requirements. As a result, unless someone’s employment was completely unchanged by COVID-19, I suggest starting with a tax software that offers a totally free plan with the option to upgrade to a paid plan if the return turns out to be more complex.

Tax software programs allow individuals and business owners with little to no tax knowledge to accurately file their tax returns, get their maximum owed refund, and avoid IRS audits. Tax preparation software makes online tax filing a breeze by walking users through every step of the process and checking for errors and deductions along the way. As a former tax preparer, I've utilized various program but now I am sharing my secrets after looking at a dozen tax software programs based on ease of use, the support offered, cost, guarantees and reimbursements, and more. Here are my top picks. Listen closely!