Filing Resources for the October 15th Deadline

The final deadline to submit tax returns for the year 2007 is October 15, 2008. This is also the last day to make a SEP-IRA contribution for self-employed workers. And it's the last day to electronically-file your return.

The best way to finish up your return, in my opinion, is to use a top-rated tax software program. Software such as TaxACT, TaxCut, and TurboTax are designed to walk you through all the elements of preparing and filing your return.

You may be eligible to use tax software for free, through the Free File Alliance. This is a program run by the IRS that provides access to commercial tax software for individuals who qualify. Each software vendor set its own qualification limits. And some of the software available is more user-friendly than others. In my reviews of the Free File software, I highlight the pros and cons of the various offerings available.

Some final reminders for your 2007 taxes:

Please double check your direct deposit information very carefully. This will be used both for your regular tax refund and your stimulus rebate. Any mistakes could result in losing your refunds forever, as one reader found out when she input incorrect bank information.

If you have suffered damage from Hurricane Ike or Hurricane Gustav, you have extra time to file your 2007 return. Your return will be considered timely filed if the return is submitted by January 5, 2009. Additionally, you may want to claim a casualty deduction on your 2007 return for any hurricane-related damage.

Finally, information from your 2007 return will be used to calculate your economic stimulus rebate, which should be sent to you approximately two to eight weeks after your initial refund. You can using the stimulus rebate calculator on the IRS Web site to figure out how much of a rebate you'll be receiving.