The problem with using forms to file for taxes is that there is a lot of room to make mistakes. Most of these mistakes are due to pure negligence, and can be easily avoided. When someone makes a mistake in the forms, that individual may be asked to file for tax returns again to rectify the mistake. By then, the deadline would have come and gone. If that is the case, the individual is liable for certain late penalties.

One way to avoid making mistakes is to efile. eFile helps to reduce mistakes because everything is very systematic. It's almost like using a wizard on your computer. You are walked through the entire process in a step by step manner. If there are mandatory fields that you need to fill in, you won't be able to complete the submission, and the software will prompt you to fill in the necessary information.

Sometimes, after filling in all the forms, you can check and recheck for mistakes. But when you want to send the forms out, you accidentally left one out. Again, that makes an incomplete submission. For sure, this won't happen if you choose to efile. If there is some information that you need, and you don't have it with you, you can always save your efile as a draft and come back to complete the process another time. All you need is your SSN number and your password.

Your password is issued to you when you create an account with an authorized IRS efile provider. You will be able to see the IRS logo on the authorized website. You only need to create an account if this is the first time you are efiling. After that, you can use back the same account to efile again and again. To create an account, all you need is your SSN number. That will be your user name. You will also be able to select your preferred password. Try to choose something that is easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess. You don't want anyone else to have access to highly sensitive information.

Once you have completed all the information, you will be able to submit your tax return directly to IRS using a secure connection. IRS will then process your tax return, and may even approve your tax refunds in as soon as 7 days. This is a level of efficiency that no paper system can duplicate.

So start efiling from this year onwards. You will find the process most efficient and convenient.