6 top tips for filing your taxes online

This post is brought to you by CJ Affiliate’s VIP Content Service. Thank you, H&R Block for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from H&R Block, all content and opinions expressed here are our own.

The calendar says April, and that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach is the realization you still haven’t filed your 2016 taxes yet. Thankfully, this year’s Easter holiday provides a three-day buffer from the usual April 15 deadline, which means last year’s filings don’t have to be postmarked until April 18. 

Take advantage of the breathing room and face the challenge head-on by skipping a trip to the accountant’s office— stay home and curl up with our list of six awesome tips for filing taxes online instead.

 Tip # 1: Don’t panic, log on

Our first tip is, don’t panic! Take a deep breath, then point your web browser in the direction of H&R Block Online, who have generously provided all the tools first-time customers need to prepare and file both federal and state taxes. You won’t even have to scrounge for a coupon code, because  you can file your federal return for free.   

H&R Block Online consolidates 60 years of expert tax experience with the knowledge to help reduce this complicated chore in as little effort possible. You’re probably already familiar with H&R Block’s retail chain, but the company offers the same great service online, guiding you every step of the way.   

Tip #2: Save time by filing your taxes faster  

Once you’ve gathered your W-2 and any other required forms, H&R Block’s online filing saves taxpayers time with the ability to drag and drop last year’s return for quickly importing key information. This is especially convenient when switching from a rival service, so you’ll be typing less and filing  quickly.   

The rest of the process is equally simple, thanks to an easy question-and-answer approach so you’ll never be in the dark about taking the next step. All of this equates to less time spent preparing.  

Tip #3: Prepare your taxes while you’re on the go  

For mobile device owners, getting started is a snap — literally! The new W-2 Snap-a-pic feature on the H&R Block Tax Prep and File app allows smartphone and tablet owners to take a picture of W-2 forms and upload them from anywhere there’s an internet connection, significantly reducing the number of documents — and headaches — traditionally required.   

Best of all, your taxes go wherever life takes you. The mobile app can be used from start to finish — including to track your refund — or you can hop over to your computer and pick up where you left off from your favorite web browser. Everything is securely saved, offering the freedom to start and stop whenever you’d like.  

Tip #4: Know what you’ll be paying before you file  

One of the many tools available to H&R Block Online customers is the Tax Calculator, which helps taxpayers receive every dollar they’re entitled to. You’ll never be in the dark on where you stand — you can quickly estimate the amount of your refund, or help cushion the blow by determining how much you’ll wind up owing at any point.  

Tip #5: Use the right tax prep solution - one that fits your financial scenario   

While the Free Online Edition is suitable for most taxpayers, homeowners and those with more extensive deductions always have the option to upgrade at any time to H&R Block Online Deluxe, a full-featured paid version of the service.   

There’s even a Premium Online upgrade available specifically tailored to small business owners, investors, and others with more complicated financial scenarios, such as independent contractors with a stack of 1099 forms.  

Tip #6: Sit back and relax  

If you’re expecting a refund, you’ll be able to sit back, relax and wait for your refund to arrive. Thanks to H&R Block’s Tax Refund Status, you can now figure out when you can expect to see your refund and also check income tax refund status updates as it changes.  

H&R Block will get your taxes won  

There are many ways to complete your tax return, but H&R Block Online eliminates some of the inconvenience and expense allowing do-it-yourselfers to get the most money back in the shortest amount of time. And that’s the difference between getting your taxes done, and getting your taxes won.  

Latest in Tech
Josie and Matt laughing in front of the Google Pixel 9a
TechRadar Podcast: Is the Pixel 9a ugly? Has Apple ruined the smartwatch market? And is Samsung's One UI in trouble?
A Lego Pikachu tail next to a Pebble OS watch and a screenshot of Assassin's Creed Shadow
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from LG's excellent new OLED TV to our Assassin's Creed Shadow review
A triptych image of the Meridian Ellipse, LG C5 and Xiaomi 15.
5 amazing tech reviews of the week: LG's latest OLED TV is the best you can buy and Xiaomi's seriously powerful new phone
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones in Black and Gold on yellow background with big savings text
The best Beats headphones you can buy drop to $169.99 at Best Buy's Tech Fest sale
Ray-Ban smart glasses with the Cpperni logo, an LED array, and a MacBook Air with M4 next to ecah other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Twitter's massive outage to iRobot's impressive new Roombas
A triptych image featuring the Sennheiser HD 505, Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025), and Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4).
5 unmissable tech reviews of the week: why the MacBook Air (M4) should be your next laptop and the best sounding OLED TV ever
Latest in News
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
EA Sports F1 25 promotional image featuring drivers Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman.
F1 25 has been officially announced, with this year's entry marking a return for Braking Point and a 'significant overhaul' for My Team mode
Garmin clippd integration
Garmin's golf watches just got a big software integration upgrade to help you improve your game
Robert Downey Jr reveals himself as Doctor Doom to a delighted crowd at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Marvel is currently revealing the full cast for Avengers: Doomsday, and I think it's going to be a long-winded announcement
Samsung QN90F on yellow background
Samsung announces US prices for its 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, and it’s good and bad news
Nintendo Switch Lite
Forget the Nintendo Switch 2, the original Switch is getting one last hurrah in a surprise Nintendo Direct tomorrow