More than one in five taxpayers say they will go online to prepare their taxes according to a new survey by Opinion Research, conducted for CompleteTax.
The survey found sixty percent of taxpayers plan to use an accountant or professional tax preparer. The number of taxpayers turning to online tax programs now slightly surpasses those planning to use packaged software with 11 percent saying they will go online compared to 10 percent saying they will buy a packaged program.
Not surprisingly age was a factor in how people will pay their taxes. Online tax preparation is most popular among people 18-34 years of age, where 16 percent plan to use online tax programs and 8 percent packaged software compared to just 2 percent of taxpayers 65 or older using online tax prep and 6 percent using packaged software. Those 65 and older are the most likely to use a professional tax preparer, with 69 percent saying they will do so, compared to just 55 percent of 18-34 year-olds opting for this approach.
"Use of online tax programs is gaining momentum for a number of reasons," said Gary Lundberg, product management director for CompleteTax.
"A generation has now grown up regularly banking and paying bills online, and they are comfortable with the process. Online tax programs, such as CompleteTax, also allow you to try before you buy, making certain the program matches your needs, and offer a version that’s entirely free. So it’s an easy, safe and risk-free way to get your taxes done."
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