Web Sites That Help Answer Tax Issues

Taxes can be confusing. Fortunately we live in the age of the Internet, where tax resources are just a click away. There are a number of free answer services on the Web where people can ask about their taxes and get replies. Eva Rosenberg has compiled a list of Web sites where people can go to for help, Struggling with Tax Questions? Here's Where to Find Answers (MarketWatch.com). Eva knows a thing or two about answering tax questions. Her own Web site Tax Mama.com and her blog Tax Quips routinely provides answers.

Ms. Rosenberg was even so kind as to mention that our own tax forum on About.com provides a free answers to tax questions you submit. We have a vibrant community of well-informed readers, and several CPAs and licensed tax professionals chime in on various topics.

I would like to mention two other answer services. One is Yahoo Answers, which has a section for income taxes. As with most publicly accessible message boards, information found on Yahoo Answers can vary from unreliable to highly accurate. Since taxes are so important to get right, it would be wise to follow up on any sources mentioned so you can be sure of the answer. Another site is LinkedIn Answers, which has forums for accounting and finance and for personal finances. LinkedIn has the familiar Q&A format, but what distinguishes LinkedIn is that the community tends to be more professional. LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals to find jobs, stay in touch with colleagues, and built networks of advisors. So answers on that site are often provided by tax professionals who reference the relevant IRS instructions or who discuss tax issues based on their experience.