1. It’s easier. Tax preparation software prefills a lot of information (especially if you get your W2 online). It’s quicker to punch in numbers on your keyboard than to try to write it all out legibly.

2. Fewer mistakes. Again, tax preparation software makes it easier by doing all the math for you. Fewer mistakes mean a return that is processed faster.

3. No missing tax breaks. The tax program you use will be loaded with all the new tax rules and allowable deductions, whereas some IRS forms this year have some deduction lines missing and taxpayers who don’t know about those deductions can miss some important tax savings.

4. It’s faster. The IRS estimates that it processes electronically-filed tax returns in half the time it takes to process paper returns.

Buying a good tax preparation software might save you money and pay for itself. If your adjusted gross income is less than $52,000, you can use the IRS’s Free File service by choosing an e-file partner company from the IRS website. Electing for direct deposit saves time too and gets your refund to you even faster.