Financial Expert Nicole Lapin Offers Advice on How to 'Slay Your Taxes' After Survey Finds Americans Would Rather Wait All Day at the DMV

AUGUSTA, Ga., Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tax season is in full swing, and while many people are thinking about filing their returns, others are focusing on what they'd rather do. In fact, a recent survey found there are several surprising tasks Americans find preferable to doing their taxes.

For instance, nearly one in four (24 percent) would rather wait all day at the DMV to renew their license than file their taxes, according to the recent online survey fielded by Toluna on behalf of TaxSlayer. What's more, 24 percent would go without caffeine for a month, 20 percent would take a road trip with their in-laws and no radio, and 16 percent would get a root canal instead of filing their taxes.

"As this survey shows, many Americans are not excited about doing their taxes," said Nicole Lapin, personal finance expert and The New York Times best-selling author. "But, it's your hard-earned money; you should be revved up to fight for it."

The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults explored how people feel about their taxes and refunds. It showed half of Americans (50 percent) say they are overwhelmed every year when they do their taxes, and three in five (61 percent) say tax season is stressful. 

Within the survey group, the Millennial generation was more likely than all other generations to report feeling stressed. Seventy percent of the Millennials in the survey said tax season is stressful, versus 65 percent of Gen-Xers, 50 percent of Baby Boomers and 41 percent of the Greatest Generation. And men were more likely than women to say they are overwhelmed, at 54 percent and 46 percent respectively. 

"Filing your taxes doesn't have to be stressful," Lapin said. "When you have the right tools and the right mindset, it can be quite simple. It's important to ask for help when you need it and find a partner, like TaxSlayer, to make sure your taxes are done right. Keep in mind, too, that a refund could be waiting for you at the end."

Ninety-two percent of TaxSlayer's customers received a refund last year.* "Slay your taxes now so you can enjoy your refund faster," said Lapin, who is on a mission to help taxpayers file with confidence. Here's her advice:

• Plan ahead. Gather all your forms and documents before you begin. Your W-2, bank and financial statements, last year's state refund amount, any and all 1099s and charitable donation receipts are all important forms you'll need to make slaying your taxes a cinch. 
• Use online tax prep software. TaxSlayer's Classic Edition keeps tax filing simple and fast, with the option to import your W-2 and fast fill your prior year tax information. You'll get all the forms, schedules and backup support you need for any tax situation. Plus, the built-in deduction finder gets you all the breaks you qualify for and suggests them before you finish. When you're ready to file, TaxSlayer guarantees that your return will be 100 percent accurate, and you'll get your maximum possible refund.
• The faster you file, the faster you'll get your refund. Once you have all your paperwork, go ahead and get it done. Filing online is quick, easy and everything is processed faster. And if you're getting a refund, you'll get that back faster, too. Even the IRS will tell you: the fastest way to receive your money is to e-file and have your refund directly deposited into your account.**

Survey Methodology
This online survey was conducted by Regina Corso Consulting and fielded by Toluna on behalf of TaxSlayer from Nov. 1 to Nov. 5, 2018, among 2,150 U.S. residents aged 18 and older. Figures for age, gender, education, income, employment and region were weighted to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate, no estimates of sampling error can be calculated.

About TaxSlayer
TaxSlayer makes life simpler and less stressful for millions of Americans with exceptional, easy-to-use technology. The company successfully completed more than 10 million state and federal e-filed tax returns in 2018 and processed $12 billion in refunds. TaxSlayer is highest rated for ease of use, speed of filing, best value and most trusted according to the 2017-18 American Online Tax Satisfaction Survey. Additionally, TaxSlayer is rated #1 in the tax prep software category on Trustpilot. For more information, visit www.taxslayer.com.

^*M is for Marketing through Research Now surveyed 1,208 users of online tax filing platforms October 2017 – January 2018 including TaxSlayer®, TurboTax®, TaxAct®, and H&R Block® Online. TaxSlayer was highest rated in customer satisfaction for categories: Best Value, Ease of Use, Fast Tax Filing Process, and being a Company I Can Trust. TaxSlayer was also most likely to be recommended based on Customer Service and Maximum Refund/Minimum Owed. 92% of TaxSlayer respondents report they received a refund. Margin of error 3 +/- at 95% confidence.

**According to the IRS, e-file and choose direct deposit to receive your refund the fastest. The IRS issues most tax refunds in less than 21 days, but specific times will vary.

SOURCE TaxSlayer, LLC

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