The dreaded day is slowly approaching. This year, Federal tax returns must be filed by April 17. There are many ways to prepare your tax returns, and some of the options are free.

If you are looking for free tax preparation sites, visit the IRS’s website. They can direct you to sites that provide the services absolutely free; however, most of them do have certain conditions you must meet. TaxAct is a website that you could also look up. They offer free basic Federal returns as well as low-cost filing services. I have always had good luck with TurboTax. This site is very easy to use, and takes you through the entire filing process, step by step. It is also affordable. This year they are offering a deal for $29.95. This covers the federal tax return, but to add the state return, they do charge more. This amount is usually around $50 to $60. For me, the total cost is under $100. It is thorough, easy to use and makes the filing process very simple.

For those of you who do not want to do it yourself, you can hire an accounting firm to complete your taxes for you. You can also hire a place like H&R Block. This company prepares tax returns fast and can help you get your refund faster. They can also offer expert advice and suggestions for financial planning.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to complete it and file it by April 17. If you don’t, you will be subject to penalties and fees which can amount to a great deal of money.