Not that I'm encouraging everyone to go and "Do-it-yourself," but if you are comfortable, you have the option.  I've learned a long time ago that I would rather be straight up and make a friend by telling you that you can do this yourself than just trying to get your money from you.  
Many people prefer to have someone that prepares MANY returns each year and learns the trade prepare their taxes.  That's my goal.  Make friends with as many people as I can and help those that want my help.  You're not paying for someone to input your data... anyone can do that, including you.  You are paying for my years of experience, education and continuous training.

I hope you find this helpful and interesting.

​---Russell----

Issue Number:    IR-2020-13


IRS: Most taxpayers eligible for free federal and free state tax return preparation
WASHINGTON – Most taxpayers can do both their federal and state tax returns for free online through Free File offered either by the IRS or by states that have a similar public-private partnership.
For 2020, taxpayers whose prior-year adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less, and that’s most people, can use IRS Free File. Generally, taxpayers must complete their federal tax return before they can begin their state taxes. 
More than 20 states also have a state Free File program patterned after federal partnership which means many taxpayers are eligible for free federal and free state online tax preparation. Those states are: Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia.
In addition, IRS Free File partners – featuring 10 brand-name online products - offer most or some state tax returns for free as well. Some may also charge so it is important for taxpayers to explore their free options.
Here’s how Free File works:

1. Go to IRS.gov/FreeFile to see all Free File options.
2. Browse each of the 10 offers or use a “look up” tool to help you find the right product. Each Free File partner sets its own eligibility standards generally based on income, age and state residency. But if your adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less, you will find at least one free product to use. Two products are in Spanish.
3. Select a provider and follow the links to their web page to begin your tax return.
4. Complete and e-File your tax return only if you have all the income and deduction records you need. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and selecting direct deposit. If you owe, use direct pay or electronic options.

Free File partners will charge a fee for state tax return preparation unless their offer outlines upfront that you can file both federal and state returns for free. If you want to use one of the state Free File program products, go to your state tax agency’s Free File page.
For residents of Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, IRS Free File may be the only tax product you need. Those states do not have an income tax.

I've had a lot of questions about how the tax law changes will affect them.  Here is some data I pulled from the IRS website.  No better information than from the horses mouth!

Withholding
What You Need to Know

• Due to tax changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many taxpayers’ withholding went down in early 2018, giving them more money in their paychecks in 2018.
• You may receive a smaller refund - or even owe an unexpected tax bill – when you file your 2018 tax return next year, especially if you did not adjust your withholding after the withholding tables changed.Other changes that affect you and your family include increasing the standard deduction, suspending personal exemptions, increasing the child tax credit, adding a new credit for other dependents and limiting or discontinuing certain deductions.

 What You Need to Do

• Use the IRS Withholding Calculator to perform a Paycheck Checkup to help you decide if you need to adjust your withholding or make estimated or additional tax payments now.
• Use your results from this Calculator to submit a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, to your employer.
• Make estimated or additional tax payments if the withholding from your salary, pension or other income doesn’t cover the 2018 income tax that you’ll owe for the year. Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individualsalso has a worksheet to help you figure your estimated payments.

Refunds
What You Need to Know

• Expecting a refund? Some refunds cannot be issued before mid-February.
• By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.
• This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits.
• While the IRS will process your return when it is received, it cannot issue EITC/ACTC related refunds before mid-February.
• Your refund may be different - or you may even owe an unexpected tax bill – when you file your 2018 tax return next year.
• New tax law may affect the tax refund you expect next year. Review new IRS Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families, to learn more.

 What You Need to Do

• Be careful not to count on getting a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying other financial obligations.
• File a complete and accurate return using your year-end W-2, bank and 1099 income statements and include all known refundable credits when you file your original tax return.
• File when you’ve received all your year-end statements and are ready to do so. If you usually file early in the year and you’re ready to file a complete and accurate return, there is no need to wait to file.
• Be aware that some returns may require additional review for a variety of reasons and take longer. For example, the IRS, along with its partners in the state’s and the nation’s tax industry, continue to strengthen security reviews to help protect against identity theft and refund fraud.
• Perform a Paycheck Checkup to help you decide if you need to adjust your withholding or make estimated or additional tax payments now.