I bet you were not aware that the 5.99 readers that make up qball.org have a line item deduction on this year's 2004 taxes. You just must prove with receipts and records that you are actually a part of the 5.99 readers.

Now that the tax deadline is less than a month away, we need to educate everyone the simplest way to get that government refund. Of course if you owe the government, it is advised that you do not do any tax returns whatsoever. Just don't answer when the IRS comes knocking on the door.

If you do choose to obey the law, qball.org advises you do get the taxes done early and online. Now, there are plenty of online tax return options, from the usual Turbo Tax and H&R Block's TaxCut, to the oddly named TaxBrain service. The options don't end there, you have the choice to download the software to complete your tax return, or you may do an online service, which actually attempts to pull your W-2 forms from an online database (saving trees but reducing the quantity of toilet paper in the world).

The major thing you should pay attention to is the prices that are attached to doing it this way. Most of the Tax Return companies offer similar prices (in the $20 - $40 range) to do Federal, State, or both. Do not get confused with the "deluxe," "premium," "super-duper," and "$1000 refund guaranteed" options, these are business trying to up sell services that are not needed. TaxACT does have a free choice for the hard up on cash individuals (like me), but they, like all other offer a "deluxe" option for a fee. Be on the lookout for offers that allow you a free eFile of your tax return. If not, expect to pay another $20 each for Federal and State. It should be noted that eFile is not completely paperless unless you know AGI from last year's tax return. If you do not know this, you will have to still send in your signature related to your eFile.

Overall, doing taxes online makes sure you see your refund (if applicable) quicker and eliminates all that paper work. Of course, the cost is a little higher to complete the taxes this way and the typical concern about security is always an issue on the internet. Heck, qball.org could have filed under your name for all you know. Or, maybe we didn't at all? Who's to say, certainly not me, I have no idea.