Filing your own federal income taxes

• 1). Gather your paperwork. Before you can file your federal income taxes you will need to gather any and all tax-related paperwork. Make sure you have your W2's or 1099's if you are self employed. It is also important that you have documentation for any deductions you want to claim.
  
  
• 2). Find the right software. Finding the right software can make preparing your taxes a cinch. In most cases you can choose to file your taxes online, or with a software that you load on your computer. Either way, the software will typically walk you through your taxes with an interview-style format. This means you will be asked a series of questions so that you do not miss any deductions or credits for which you may qualify.
  
  
• 3). When you use tax software to help you file your federal income taxes you will be able to do it from the comfort of your own home. You can also submit online so the waiting time for your tax return will be shorter. When you file you have the option of having your tax refund deposited directly into your bank account.