Website of the Month: 1040.com

By Susan B. Anders

The center of the homepage has an advertisement for an online tax preparation product, links to 1040.com’s federal tax estimator and free online rebate paper return generator, an introduction to the website as a “one-stop tax resource,” and current tax headlines. The center sections of each main page contain a brief overview with the sub-topics listed on the left-side index.

The home and main pages are designed to make navigation quick and easy. The menu at the top of each page links to “home,” “tax tips,” “tax forms,” “calculators,” “tax estimator,” and “online tax preparation.” These resources can also be reached through the left-side index, which contains buttons for the main categories of “home,” “news & articles,” “federal taxes,” “state taxes,” “tax tools,” “online tax preparation,” and “tax professionals.”

At the bottom of the home and main pages are small hyperlinks for the major topic headings. The subsidiary pages offer links to the specialized topics. The bottom of each page also links to a site map.

Tax Professionals

The “tax professionals” section of 1040.com provides numerous free resources for tax practitioners under “e-file providers,” “tax software,” “online tax preparation,” “standards of practice,” “enrolled agents,” “preparer tax ID number,” “earning CPE credits,” “state tax websites,” “taxing subjects,” “filing addresses,” “1040.com email access,” and “free marketing materials.” The main page offers a free 2007 desk reference from Drake Software, which includes a preseason checklist; notes on the uniform definition of a child; filing requirements; contribution, deduction, exemption, and credit limits; and tax rate schedules.

“E-file providers” contains information on becoming an e-file provider. “Standards of practice” defines practicing before the IRS and includes a link to Circular 230. “Enrolled agents” and “preparer tax ID number” explain how to achieve those designations. “State tax websites” provides links to the tax departments of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. “Filing addresses” offers tables of IRS tax return mailing addresses. Taxing Subjects is a free publication from Drake Software that users can subscribe to. “Free marketing materials” connects to the IRS e-file marketing brochure and the free tools that Drake provides its customers.

Other Resources

The “news & articles” main page uses the center of the page for brief lead-ins to tax articles linked from a variety of newspapers. The expanded left-side index reveals menu buttons for “articles,” “tax tips,” and “web resources.” “Articles” offers half a dozen short articles written by Drake personnel. “Tax tips” presents two tips with links to related information. The “articles” and “tax tips” are aimed at non-experts and provide good examples of resources that CPA firms could provide on their websites. “Web resources” offers links to 16 external websites.

“Federal taxes” is a very large section covering several topics. “Tax filing basics” addresses practical issues such as who must file, which form to file, and filing status. “Tax rates” contains the 2007 federal tax rate schedules. “Income” addresses common situations, including alimony, Social Security, and tip income. “Dependents” covers the rules for a qualifying child or relative.

“State taxes” offers tax forms and links to states’ websites. On “fillable forms,” users can select a state and choose from a listing of downloadable individual tax forms. Tax professionals may appreciate “contact your state,” which offers links to 46 state tax departments plus the District of Columbia.

“Tax tools” offers a federal tax estimator, financial calculators, and federal fillable forms. Financial calculators are grouped under six headings: taxes, personal finance, retirement, lease, home finance, and investing. Each topic includes several calculators.

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