By Colby Horton
Shop Site of the Month
Bouchard Automotive Inc. - North Haven, Conn.
www.bouchardauto.com
This simple yet effective Web site offers visitors valuable information. The “Ask Dave” section allows visitors to pose a question or concern that will be answered within 48 hours. An online appointment scheduler, coupons and thorough service menu add convenience. Customer testimonials complete this site's professional look.
Web Wise
E-Filing Offers Convenience for Filing Your Returns
With some of more than 440 tax law changes taking effect this year, more and more U.S. taxpayers are turning to the Internet for convenience in filing this year's returns. April 15 is rapidly approaching, but the stress and time-consuming hours of preparation can be reduced with the click of a button.
Last year, more than 40 million taxpayers filed their tax return electronically. In fact, people who e-file find it the fastest and easiest way to do their tax returns. Using the Internal Revenue Service Web site (www.irs.gov), taxpayers can self-select a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This PIN serves as an electronic signature for an e-filed tax return.
Taxpayers find that electronic filing has many advantages. When you file electronically, your refund should be issued within three weeks. This is half the time allotted when you file a paper return. If you choose a direct deposit option, you could receive your refund in as little as 10 days.
In addition to fast refunds, e-filing your taxes provides an IRS acknowledgment that the return has been received within 48 hours. Accuracy of your tax preparation is also improved. The IRS states that the error rate on an e-file return is less than 1 percent. If you have an outside company prepare your taxes for you, the IRS has provided a checkbox authorization to its online tax forms, providing a communication link between the agency and the person's tax preparer.
The convenience of e-filing is unparalleled. The IRS states you can file early and pay any balance due by April 16. This year, the IRS has made it easier to pay balances by adding a free electronic fund withdrawal option, allowing credit card payments through a secure server.
Net Numbers
Eighty-three percent of previous e-filers say they are very likely to file online in the future.
Cyberatlas
ASA Web Ways
ASA's Information Center
If you are searching for information on topics affecting our industry, you may want to visit the most popular feature of the Members' Only area on the ASA Web site. Housing more than 5,000 abstracts, the Information Center database focuses on topics such as business management, business statistics, career opportunities, legal issues and industry statistics. The database is broken down into four major categories: general information, automotive services, mechanical services and collision services. A convenient search engine is also provided to help you find the pertinent information you are looking for. To enter the Members' Only area, type in your six-digit ASA member number into both the name and password fields when prompted.
 |
Net Worth is written by Colby Horton, ASA's electronic communications manager. He can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 234, or by e-mail at colbyh@asashop.org.
|
Copyright (c) 1996-2008. Automotive Service Association. All rights reserved.
