Here are three websites for fast and free tax preparation

Are you considering filing your taxes online but have no idea where to begin? Many websites advertise they’re the number one source for filing taxes online so picking a company can be overwhelming. Here are our top three favorite tax filing websites.

Turbotax.com
Most people have probably heard of turbotax.com from commercials and other advertisements. They guarantee “your biggest refund” when using their TurboTax Federal Free Edition. The software features step-by-step instructions in basic language for those not familiar with tax terminology

They also offer free resources like technical support and smart check, which looks for mistakes in your application. Turbotax also says they prepare print taxes at no cost. A personalized tax expert is available for free between 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

Freefile.irs.gov
This federal government program advertises fast, safe and free service. Freefile was developed through a partnership between the IRS and Free File Alliance, a private group of tax companies. The website provides a tax season countdown to keep you on track with filing deadlines. There’s also a check list of the proper documents you’ll need to get started.

One thing to keep in mind is the IRS Free File program only applies to federal tax returns but the website gives a list of twenty states that participate in free state filing.

Unlike the other websites, this one has a site in Spanish that caters to the Latino community. Also, because this website is run through the government, users are guaranteed their personal information is safe. For those who choose to e-file and direct deposit, they’ll receive their refund in about 10 days.

Taxact.com
This website prepares, prints and e-files simple and complex tax returns. TaxAct can also be used for business returns. TaxAct promises to pay the penalty for any errors on your return and lists different IRS Tax Forms to help you snag the largest possible refund.

TaxAct is also verified by the Better Business Bureau and is stamped with VeriSign Secured and Trusted certified privacy, which guarantees your information is sealed and protected.