W-2s are in the mail and the April 17 tax filing deadline is almost here. That’s right – you get two extra days to file this year because April 15 falls on a Sunday. But try not to spend those extra days procrastinating. I know tax time can be stressful – I used to dread it – but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Going digital – during the year and when filing your taxes – can make the tax process at least a little more convenient and hassle-free. A recent USA Today article points out that electronic payments are rapidly phasing out paper checks when it comes to tax refund delivery. And even the IRS has embraced electronic tax filing and payment, making the clunky paper filing and payment process a little less painful.

So what can you do to make things easier this tax season? Here are some quick tax tips to make this year less “taxing”:

• Avoid the line – Don’t stand in line to mail your tax return. If you e-file and use your debit or credit card to pay online, you can skip the line and know your money reached the IRS securely. The IRS offers options for electronic tax payments, like the option to pay with your debit card for less money than it costs to send certified mail.

• Don’t wait for your refund – I always hated waiting for my refund check to arrive in the mail. Choosing direct deposit into a checking or savings account, or onto a prepaid card, means you get your refund faster, safer and easier than waiting for a paper check. Many states offer prepaid debit card options for state refunds, and other programs can receive both state and federal tax refunds, which may be good options for those without bank accounts.

• Stay organized – Are your records a mess every time tax season rolls around? If you skip the cash year-round, you can reference your year-end statement to manage records and maximize deductions. Using your card can also help substantiate purchases, such as charitable donations, and business and medical expenses.

We recently partnered with financial fitness coach Sanyika Calloway Boyce – hear what she had to say about making tax time simpler in a recent interview. If you have yet to file and pay your taxes this year, consider going electronic. Then tell us what you think!

Categories: Making Life Easier

Tags: Card benefits, Cashless Society, Credit, Debit, Financial inclusion, Financial management, Prepaid