Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling In Austin Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling In Austin

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Friday, January 2, 2009

HUD Counseling for Reverse Mortgages Wards off Scammers

By Spumeti Vanrock

Equity in a home is, of course, one of the benefits of owning in the first place. After all, who wants to go through the loan process, make payments and pay for all the repairs involved in owning without some monetary payoff.

With no other savings, the equity can be tapped into as a lever to solve financial issues. The reverse mortgage was originally invented with this in mind.

The reverse mortgage is not without its shortcomings and is not the proper tool for all situations.

The reverse mortgage is profitable to a lender only when a borrower decides on getting a reverse mortgage. No return is made by talking the senior out of borrowing. The door is open to unscrupulous people.

Being a loan officer, I hold most of my colleagues in esteem. I know the majority will tell the truth and give an honest assessment supported by all available knowledge.

However, a certain contingent exists in the mortgage industry, as it does in any industry, comprised of unethical individuals willing to lie, cheat and steal to do a deal.

Previously I worked as a salesman in the office machine industry. My employer had a sales motto: Do what you gotta do. And they weren't kidding! Try anything you can to get someone to bite.

A few people in the business of reverse mortgages feel selfishly too, but have faith. You may not see the bad guys coming, but you will have a backup consultant to spot them for you.

Prior to advancing on in a reverse mortgage transaction the law requires potential borrowers to counsel with a intermediary, HUD approved advisor.

This gives would-be borrowers neutral educated reverse mortgage advice, who may be talked into a reverse mortgage, when they could better solve their monetary crisis in some better way. The counselor should be able to filter through any questionable items and give suggestions.

Someone is always lying is wait to trick or take advantage of seniors, and this is one way to greatly avoid that possibility.

How To Deal With Debt Collectors

By John Cooper

Phone calls and other communications from debt collectors can be incredibly frustrating. They will cause some to change numbers and even move just to avoid it.

This frustration is ten fold if the debt is not your debt. It is common for a lender to make a mistake and your account to go into collections. Trying to explain that the debt is not yours to a collector is next to impossible. This is because their motive is only to collect money not to fix mistakes.

If you are in this position then you should request validation of the debt. I strongly suggest you do this through certified mail so you have documentation that they did get your debt validation letter.

Do not ever request you validation over the phone. This is a very ineffective method because it is often ignored and you are only given 30 days to request validation of a debt once you are notified.

In addition it is becoming common for debt collectors to sell your account if you request validation. This is why I suggest you request validation through certified mail so you can prove that your request was ignored.

Instead I suggest you hire a credit repair firm to dispute and remove the bad credit items that have been posted to your credit report. This way your credit score will not be ruined because of a lender mistake.

If the debt is valid then we suggest you settle it. This is done through a settlement letter to the collector; we suggest you offer 50% of the balance.

Do this because the debt collector has purchased your account for a fraction of the balance. In addition you are showing the debt collector that you are willing to pay if you can agree on a price so they will negotiate on the balance.

You should also request that the debt collector remove the negative listing they created on your credit report in exchange for your payment. Failure to do this and the negative mark will change to a paid collection. This is still seen as a bad credit item by lenders and will not improve your credit score.

In sum, I suggest a service to repair you credit from debt collectors.

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Basics of Credit Repair

By Rob Kosberg

People who know they have "bad" credit and are a big "credit risk" are usually aware that something has to change with the way they manage their money and debts.

For many folks, it will be possible for them to manage their path back to "good credit." through their own determination and willingness to confront the problem.

The "credit risk" label is based on your "credit report" and "credit score." Therefore, you need to know what those are all about. The credit score is a very important 3 digit number that a "credit risk" will need to raise. A score of 700 or more is "good." If the score is under 700, this might be problematic. This information is essential to the repair process.

You can gather this information by securing your credit reports. Don't be afraid to look at them. They will provide essential information. Arrange to get these reports from the Credit Bureaus. There are 3 credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free report from each once a year. There is a charge for the credit score. See www.annualcreditreport.com for details.

Once you have the reports, you can compare them because they may be different. Businesses may report credit information to different credit bureaus.

After the comparison, examine each report for errors. Determine the nature of the error or errors and DISPUTE THE ERRORS. This will take some time but you are the one who has to fix it.

Contact the credit bureaus in writing with a copy of the report, the errors and reason why you need to have it rectified. Remember to keep copies of everything you send. There's an old saying: "If it's not documented, it didn't happen."

Please approach this part of the process carefully as you would any DIY project. Deal with problems along the way, stay calm and this part of the project will get finished.

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Guaranteed Payday Loans

By Dave Davis

When someone needs cash and their pay check is still not due for another week, many will turn to a lending source that will offer them a guaranteed payday loan. It can be the quickest and easiest way to get the money you need. It is a short-term loan that can help you cover your expenses until your next payday.

If you're in the market to take out a payday type loan, you'll need to find a lender that can work with you. Legal issues vary from state to state so the first thing you're going to need to figure out is whether this type of loan is legal for you.

If you live in a state where this type of loan is legal, you should be able to get a loan without any problem. Make sure that you educate yourself well on the terms of the loan because interest rates on payday loans are usually quite high.

Guaranteed payday loans should only be used as a last resort. You should make sure to never borrow more than you will be able to pay back on your next payday. Generally speaking, if you don't pay back the full loan amount within two weeks, you will have to pay interest again. Often after 4 weeks the loan amount will double because of the extreme interest of this type of loan.

Most lenders that provide this type of loan will withdraw your payment from your bank account automatically. However, some will leave this up to you because they want to be able to charge you more and more interest over time. The annual rate you would pay in interest on this type of loan is astronomical.

If your payment check bounces, you're looking at a lot of extra fees and interest. Payday lenders usually make a lot of money on people that pay late and to avoid really paying out a lot, you need to make sure you pay back your loan before it's due.

If you decide to get this type of a loan, it should be fairly easy to find. There are payday loan stores on almost every corner these days. You can also find an online store that provides this type of loan without too much trouble. Be careful so that you can avoid paying too much interest and this loan may be quite useful.

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There's Only One Variable During a Credit Market Fluctuation

By Seymour Tinkenger

There are arguments for and against taking out a fixed home equity loan. However, in a tight credit market, the advocates for fixed rate home equity succeed. Throughout the time of easy credit and low rates, various people took the benefit of adaptable rate mortgages, permitting them to buy a home based on a low interest rate. While the interest rate stayed stable, they benefited from this advantage. Nevertheless, as the prime went up, so did the rate on their fixed home loan and along with it their monthly payments.

Since the scheduled monthly payments are set up and founded on a set rate and the total dollar value spread across an amount of time, there's only one variable during a credit market fluctuation that can be changed; that's the interest rate. The scheduled payments will be changed to meet the new total over the life of the loan, something that does not happen with a fixed home equity loan.

Persons who borrowed in this kind of credit market on their home equity with an adjustable rate, may discover that even a modest raise in the prime can convert to a significant increase in their scheduled payments. One unpredictable item left out of the fixed rate equity loan may create much financial pressure for owners and their families so that they want to move to Spain to get away from it all.

Some equity lenders give reduced pay back schedule and at the end of the period, a 'balloon payment' is due. This means a larger, lump-sum payment may be steered clear of when you paid above the minimum payment or refinanced.

Fixed Rates Mean Nothing is Open to Change Although the interest rates commanded by a fixed home loan is perhaps a higher rate than a rate quoted for a variable rate, it is a risk that a lot of owners are eager to take. If the rates go up they win, because the price of the mortgage is fixed, unchanged by the market fluctuation. They can celebrate with a trip to Spain. If the rates fall, then they will spend more money for their loan than had they used an adjustable rate, but it is a chance most are willing to take.

After watching friends and reading about many others who may have lost their homes on account of an escalation in interest rates, adjustable rate loans are not quite as attractive to as many homeowners, in particular those looking for a home equity loan. More than ever if their main mortgage has a fixed rate, neglecting to ask for a stable house equity loan might result in repayments rising so high, they end up losing their home by default.

While many lenders will advocate adjustable rate loans, while not necessarily wanting the rates to increase, these business owners stand to gain a windfall if the rates do swell. A fixed rates home equity loan permits the homeowner to precisely budget their money and not concern himself or herself about an escalating loan repayment.

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Simple Tips On Refinance Mortgage Loan

By John Bear

Everyone knows that comparing lenders can help you find the best refinancing deal, but those numbers can get confusing, especially when you are comparing lenders. You should investigate rates, fees, and points. Remember too that just because a mortgage company has the lowest rates, it doesn't mean that they have the best deal for you.

Many financing companies will post their rates online. Lower interest on an ARM or fixed-rate mortgage can be tempting, but have a look at the fine print. What points or fees are usually required for the rate? Mortgage lenders lure consumers with low initial numbers, only to have high closing costs. A better number to look at is the APR.

The APR, or the annual percentage rate, is needed by the federal law to be disclosed to consumers before signing a contract. It includes the interest rate of the mortgage and closing costs, so this will give you an accurate idea of the refinance mortgage loan total cost.

Just like your original mortgage, the refinanced mortgage also has closing costs. Standard fees include the origination, appraisal, and closing fees, while points can be required for a low-rate security. So just by looking at the APR, you can actually figure which lenders are offering the best fees in relation to their rates.

When doing research for a mortgage refinancing, ask about penalties and fees, as early payment or late payment fees can get really expensive. In some situations, you can waive part of these fees by paying a point at closing, such as early payment.

However, depending on your current situation, the lowest rate refinance mortgage loan may not be the best deal all the time. Take for an example, if you plan to move in a couple of years, paying points for low rates may not be able to save you more money.

Before having to refinance, decide first on how long you plan to keep the mortgage. You can then compare the costs of mortgages for how long you will keep them, even if you plan to take out a 30 year term mortgage that you plan to have for only a couple of years. You can always use mortgage calculators to help you with the math calculations.

So to find the best option regarding your refinance mortgage loan, request quotes for refinancing your mortgages together and separately. Try to look at different lenders to ensure you are getting the most competitive deal. Doing research and analyzing lenders will surely help you get the best refinancing deal for your situation.

How To Get Bad Credit Student Loans

By Dave Davidson

If you are seeking to further your education by attending college, most likely you can't afford the tuition costs on your own. You might need some assistance to make ends meet and realize your dream of attending college. But what if you have bad credit or even no credit history at all?

Do you have to wait to establish your credit or improve it before you can hope to qualify for a loan? No, you don't. Fortunately, there are bad credit student loans available for people with bad credit or no credit who are interested in continuing their education.

Most student loan programs offered by the federal government are based on need. The government backs these loans and that makes them available for people, even if their credit is poor. As long as you have financial need, you can probably qualify for Stafford loans and you credit history isn't considered when you apply for Stafford loans.

Another loan type that's offered by the federal government is Perkins loans. This loan is extremely cheap over time and is intended to be used only by individuals that have extreme need. In order to qualify, a person must show that they have need, but credit history isn't part of the approval process.

If you're able to qualify for Pell grants, they will never have to be paid back. As long as your education is in good standing, you should be able to get a Pell grant each semester for as long as you qualify.

If you aren't able to qualify for the federal subsidized loan programs, there are still some options out there for you. Take a look at unsubsidized Stafford loans, because they are probably still available to you, even if you have bad credit.

With unsubsidized Stafford loans, the government doesn't assist at all with the repayment. However, these loans generally have pretty good interest rates. Bad credit history won't disqualify you from getting this loan type.

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Improving Your Odds of Getting Approved for a Mortgage

By Fred Brod

If you have found the house that you plan to live in for the rest of your life, you are probably now talking to banks to see about a mortgage. Without good credit, banks are going to have to really evaluate whether or not you would be a good person for such a big loan. Your goal is to improve your chances of getting a mortgage, because without one there is no way that you can get a house. What can you do to improve your chances of getting a mortgage?

Educate yourself. You definitely want to educate yourself on what your financial history is like. If you aren't sure what it is, get a copy of your credit score and your credit report. Banks look at your credit report and score to determine what their risk is when they lend money to you. If your credit history is not so hot, you may find that a lot of banks are hesitant or won't loan you any money to buy your house. You have the power if your credit score is good because banks are going to want to loan you money and may even offer you special deals so that you choose them.

Make a Budget. You are going to want to go to the banks with information on how much you are paying for housing now and how much you would be paying when you owned your dream house with a mortgage. If you can show that having a mortgage is going to save you money on your housing budget, you are more likely to get accepted.

Build up your down payment. The vast majority of first time buyers don't have 20% of the price of their future home saved yet. If your credit history isn't rock solid, a lot of banks won't want to take the risk on a loan with less than the required down payment. To up your odds, save up your money before applying for a mortgage.

Get someone to back you. If your credit is questionable, a bank may ask you to find a cosigner who will put their mortgage on the line if you don't pay on time. This will definitely help your chances of approval. But, a lot of people will probably not want to risk their houses on your bad credit.

Research the real estate market. You are going to have a better chance of getting a mortgage if you are planning on buying a house in a hot market. If you are going to buy something in a market that is cooling down, you are probably going to find a lot of banks aren't willing to give you a mortgage on a property that is going to decrease in value.

Know about the neighborhood. A lot of banks and lending companies are going to ask you about property vales and other things in the neighborhood that you plan on living in. If you are able to tell them how much the neighbor's house sold for a couple years ago, they are going to be impressed and really realize that you have done your homework. This means that you are going to have a better chance of getting your mortgage approved.

With the economy not being so hot, it is getting more and more difficult to get a mortgage. Following these six tips is going to drastically improve your shot at a mortgage.

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Don't File Before Finding Your Tax Deduction Limits

By Curt Gentry

It is not only good to know the tax deduction limits when you file your tax return, but it's also necessary to know if you want to lower your tax bill. Most people are always looking for ways to lower their income taxes owed to the IRS. They know that the more tax deductions they are able to take, the more tax savings they will have.

While some people are already aware that it is important to know tax deduction limits, some people are still unsure of what tax deductions are. There are many websites that explain what IRS deductions are. Basically, tax deductions are sometimes referred to as tax deductible expenses because they are qualified expenses that the IRS allows taxpayers to subtract from income taxes. That means, the more tax deductions a taxpayer can claim, the less taxes he or she will have to pay.

If a taxpayer wants to pay as little taxes as possible, it is important to know all about tax deductions and that includes tax deduction limits. Some people are eligible to claim more tax deductions than others so it is important to know what you can claim legally to avoid any problems that might occur in the future. One way to learn about tax deductions is to read IRS publications.

The IRS deductions are not to be confused with tax credit. The same goes for tax deduction limits versus tax credit limits. They are different. Most people prefer tax credits because tax credits give taxpayers dollars into their pockets whereas tax deductions just lower taxable income. If there is no income, then there is not use lowering it but tax credits may work even if there is no income to report.

Choosing the right type of IRS deductions can affect how much taxes a taxpayer owes the IRS. The tax deduction limits do not matter so much if the taxpayer chooses to claim the standard deduction. However, not everyone can claim the standard deduction. If they can, though, it is the easier option of the two and all you have to do is check the box on your tax return form that says 'standard deduction'.

When a taxpayer is not eligible to claim the standard deduction, he or she will have to claim the itemized deductions and pay particular attention to relevant tax deduction limits. The taxpayer, of course, has the option of not claiming anything at all but most of them do to lower their tax bills. Each tax deductible expense will have a limit of how much a taxpayer can claim in tax deduction.

Anyone who itemizes tax deductions and does not know the tax deduction limits may be over-claiming something that the IRS does not allow. This can lead to many problems, including an audit. Also, you won't be able to decide wisely about if you should take the standard deduction, assuming you qualify for it, or the itemized deduction if the tax deduction limits are not known for comparison.

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The Importance of GOOD Credit

By Rob Kosberg

Perhaps it is time to seriously look into your personal financial situation. We should always be monitoring our credit because it needs to remain GOOD. However, if you have recently been denied credit or if you are in shock from looking at your credit card balances or bank statements and you don 't seem to have enough cash flow, you need credit repair.

You are the only one that can fix the current situation. So, put aside any fear of seeing your financial history in black and white, be proactive and arrange to secure your credit report(s). There is no magic cure, but it can be done.

Everyone understands that their ability to get a loan, a mortgage, credit card depends on a good credit rating. Our "Credit Score" is most affected by our total debt and credit cards. You also need to know that there are other negative effects of poor credit that you may not know about.

Negative effects of poor credit:

Life, health, and homeowner's insurance may be denied Employment may be denied Credit cards & loans may be denied or offered with high interest rates Car loans may be denied Cell phone contracts may be denied You may not be able to start a business

Our financial world can be successful or miserable, but credit is the basis for our personal financial world and we need credit. Therefore, if you have defaulted (or are close), are having cash flow problems, large credit repair balances, credit repair is a necessity.

It is possible for you to repair your credit. You can research the ways to get your credit report(s). There are 3 major credit reporting bureaus. Compare your reports, and dispute any errors (see Fair Credit Reporting Act).

Credit repair will be work for you but it is worth the effort. Explain your situation to your creditors. They will be more likely to work with you when they know you are serious about paying your debt. You will find a lot of public information to help you with this process.

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Exit Strategy For Bad Mortgages: House Short Sale

By Doc Smithson

"Do I really need a house short sale?" That's the first question you should ask yourself. If your way upside down on your mortgage, and you want to avoid foreclosure, read on! I'm not a real estate pro, I'm just an investor who got caught up in the same situation your in now. For me, it hurts so much more because I have so much more debt. Here's how I determined my positions:

1) Get a Great Realtor: I would interview a number of them, and find a good fit for your situation. Preferably, they have a degree in finance and a brokers license in real estate. Don't be afraid to ask the tough questions, because its your life, your house short sale, and your money! You don't want to find someone that will make a bad situation worse! Be careful of the referral service mills too. They always ask for money up front, and that should be a big red flag! All of the legitimate realtors I found will never ask you for a dime. They pay all costs including advertising, and the bank pays them a finders fee.

2) Find the Present Market Value: You need this to figure out just how upside down you are. Do not spend the money on an official appraisal. They cost $300-$500 and they won't be any good in a few months anyway! Your realtor will give you a good idea of the what the home is worth, and how much it can bring in as a distressed home. The more upside down you are, the better your chances of a successful house short sale. So forget about the nice drapes and all the sweat you put into your lawn. Just let the straight numbers do the talking.

3) Judgement Time: This is where you determine if you need a house short sale. Take your total loan amount, and subtract the present value of the house. Not what you think it's worth, but how much you can get for it TODAY. This is how much your "Upside Down" in the loan. Then, figure your annual expenses including a year's worth of payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. This is your "Yearly Cost" to keep the house. Now, take the amount your upside down and multiply it by 8%. We will assume the best case scenario. In a FAST appreciating market, this is how much your house value would go up each year, if the housing bubble was over today. (yeah right!) We'll call this number: "Appreciation per Year." Finally, divide the Upside Down amount, by Appreciation per Year. This is how many years it will take for you just to break even with the amount you owe on your loan. No profit, no realized appreciation. Compare the Number of Years to Break even with Yearly Cost to Keep the House. Can you hold out for that long? Does it still make sense to hold on? Or would letting it go make more sense?

To illustrate: Let's say you bought a duplex with a $1,000,000 loan. In just one year it has depreciated drastically and will sell for only $800,000. Is it a good idea to seek a short sale?

Upside Down: $800,000 - $600,000 = $200,000 Annual Costs: Includes all yearly expenses = $60,000 Appreciation: Assuming a booming market = $200,000 x .08 = $16,000

The Bottom Line: It will cost $60,000 per year in payments, for 12.5 years, just to break even with the original value. That's assuming a strong market with all 12.5 of those years of appreciation, at 8%. In that time period over $750,000 will have been spent in principle, interest, taxes, and insurance, along with other expenses with no equity gain.

You don't have to guess what I decided to do. My numbers we're very similar to these. I know I'll take a hit on my credit, but for me, 2 -3 years to rebuild my credit is a lot better than 12.5 years of suffering. I'm going to call it quits and live to fight another day.

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Despite all our worries, things turned out ok for us

By Rem

The monthly payment for long term fixed rate mortgages are just one fundamental thought for many individuals who are looking to purchase a home. A large number of couples these days have decided to wait and are buying homes later but they also want to pay off their mortgage early. Although before signing any documentation, there is a great deal to consider.

One fundamental point is to ensure that the interest rate doesn't change during the life of the mortgage. If you are offered a deal that appears to be too good to be true than it probably is. The interest rate remains the same for long term fixed rate mortgages over the life of the loan. If you are someone that wants a loan with a dependable fixed monthly mortgage payment with no hidden supplemental charges then this is the main benefit with this type of arrangement.

There are no hidden surprises which is great for many people that wish a dependable monthly mortgage payment. When we were looking to buy a home, my wife and I decided to go for a loan with a fixed rate mortgage. We wanted to pay off the house as soon as practicable but didn't wish to get in over our heads with high monthly repayments.

It became manifest that we had to look at fixed rate mortgages over a longer period and not just 15 year fixed mortgage rate plans. No-one likes the idea of having a mortgage when they are close to retiring, and we were no other, so it was still our hope that a 15 year fixed mortgage rate would still be an alternative.

My wife's donation to the monthly finances would in all likelihood be unreliable since she preferred to raise our child at home. The trouble we could see was the raised financial commitment with a higher monthly repayment if we had chosen for the shorter 15 year fixed rate mortgage. For us it just wasn't practicable as we would just be in over our heads and in all likelihood be worrying about money every month.

As such the 30 year fixed mortgage rate brought the monthly repayments down quite a bit. Fortunately, we are also able make supplemental repayments throughout the year to make the principal shrink faster. Just by making a handful of extra repayments throughout a twelve month period you can knock years off of your loan period. This is well worth the effort in the long run but it does require some discipline. Taking our current needs and fiscal abilities into account was more serious than our desire for a shorter term fifteen year fixed mortgage rate program. Altogether though, things worked out very well for us and we're pleased we made the decision we did.

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Subprime Credit Card

By Dan Moskel

These credit cards have been designed to give you a second chance with your credit. It is for those with a low or damaged credit score.

They are often used to help rebuild a low credit score. They help because you can create a positive payment history and it can improve your ratio of available credit to debt.

These two factors are very important when your score is being calculated. If these two factors are good then you can create a good credit score even with negative items on your credit report.

These cards do report monthly to all three major bureaus. Your APR will by approximately 19% and you will have some fees. Unfortunately this is the cost of your prior mistakes with credit, however this can be the last time you have to pay extra for your damaged credit.

These cards will come with a credit limit around $300 and they will give you periodic limit increases. However some cards like the Tribute MasterCard do offer a $70 limit for those with a very low score.

A sub prime credit card is superior to a secured card when it comes to credit reporting. With a secured card it will report to the bureaus as a secured account and will not help as much as an unsecured account.

It is still wise to remove negative items from your report. However it has been discovered that once a negative item ages four years it will have much less impact on your score.

For you to get the most out of your card you should strive to keep the monthly balance at 25% of your credit limit. This is because it shows the bureaus that you are using your card responsibly and that you do in fact use your card.

You can still get approval for a sub prime card even with; charge offs, collections, judgments, and even a bankruptcy. However each card has different approval requirements. Many of them will give you an instant decision upon submission of your application.

In sum if you have made mistakes in the past with your credit and want a second chance we suggest a sub prime card. It can improve your ratio of available credit to debt and build a positive payment history.

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Where to Find Tax Filing Help

By Randolf Charles

If you are not sure how to file a tax return, it is very important to get the necessary tax filing help. Most people need help when it comes to preparing taxes and filing taxes. Most of them take their W-2 or 1099 tax documents to their local H&R Block office and have them prepare their tax returns. Tax codes are well known to be complex for ordinary people.

Although it is perfectly acceptable to have someone else prepare your tax return and give you tax filing help, it is also good to know how to do it yourself. That way, a taxpayer can make sure that his or her tax return is prepared properly an nothing is left out that can reduce tax bills. The more tax credits and tax deductions you can claim from the IRS, the less taxes you have to pay.

Many people rely too much on the tax preparers or tax accountants that they miss out on some tax deductions or tax credits. The tax preparer or tax accountant does not know everything about you and unless you tell him or her, it will not be used in your tax return to your advantage. If you know how to claim tax deductions or tax credits, you can make sure that the tax preparer or accountant claims everything that you are entitled to claim accordingly.

Some taxpayers would prefer to prepare their own tax returns and not get tax filing help from professional tax preparers. This can save money because tax preparation services such as H&R Block can charge anything from less than $100 for a simple tax return to hundreds of dollars for more complicated tax returns. If preparing own tax return, the taxpayer may want to check out some IRS publications to make sure that he or she understands what to do.

Getting tax filing help, no matter from whom, can help a taxpayer avoid mistakes that he or she might make. If a taxpayer discovers later that he or she made a mistake in his or her tax return, he or she needs to file an amended tax return to avoid getting into more trouble with the IRS. Most of the problems can be prevented if the taxpayer is cautious when preparing his or her own tax return.

Many people use tax preparation software to help them file tax returns instead of getting tax filing help from persons or organizations. There are many tax software to choose from and some of them are very good and efficient, making filing tax returns very easy. These software can cost anything from nothing to over a hundred dollars.

The benefits of getting tax filing help upfront far outweigh the trouble of having to correct a tax return if a mistake is made. There are many places that a taxpayer can get help, some places even offer help for free. Some places offer verbal help whereas others will actually prepare a tax return for you.

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