If you're like most Americans, you probably leave filing your income tax until the very last minute. Procrastination means that you probably need to get your taxes done quickly and thus probably require tax preparation software. These programs need to be easy to use, easy to install, and meet every area of anxiety and doubt. The software should provide helpful and accurate customer service as well as financial and tax advice.

Below are some criteria that you should use to evaluate and choose Tax Software:

Preparing and filing taxes can be an intimidating process so you need to choose software without having to deal with a complicated and illogical program. The program should have helpful drop-down menus, useful icons and assessable definitions and help. The software should install easily and quickly. Online service should be easy to access and provide quick service.

The program must be easy to use for new computer users and inexperienced tax filers. Tax programs should be all encompassing and provide information on current tax laws and offer clear terminology. The importance of current tax laws means that you should be purchasing new software every year and not using the software you used in previous years. The product you choose should also offer error-proofing to limit possible mistakes or omissions.

The feature set it offers should be a collection of tools and capabilities that may be different from other packages. A good program offers everything needed to file a complete and accurate return. Other parts of the feature set may include state tax forms and financial advice as well. An top-notch program even offers IRS publications, imports from other programs, checks error and deductions.

Probably the most important feature to evaluate is does the tax preparation program provide in-depth and easy to understand help. Well-documented programs provide definitions, complete text IRS publications, tax tips, search capabilities and help tools or icons. The software vendor should also provide methods of support including tax advice and technical support by phone, email or chat.

Good luck in choosing your next tax preparation software and hopefully the process will have you filing on time!

Jim Rutherford is the webmaster for http://www.doing-business.info and http://www.loansandfinance.info