For many years, people have been filing their taxes by getting physical forms and filling them out with all of the information that the IRS needs. These forms can be found at libraries, government offices, and many other places. You just have to write your answers in with a pen, and then you have to sign them at the end. This is what people are used to doing, so many of them do not trust the newer processes of filing online. They think that using the internet does not seem like it is as legitimately legal as the traditional methods. The truth is that you can legally file taxes online if you would rather do things over the computer. The government has set up channels that make this possible. They can collect the money from your bank account if you give them the bank account numbers and the routing numbers. It make take a few days for the transaction to go through, but you can keep track of the whole process if you have online banking. The government has evolved along with the development of computers, so you can be sure that online documents and payments that are submitted will actually get to the required locations. In reality, many government officials would rather have you file on the Internet. This makes for a lot less work on their end. It also means that it is easy to save and file the documents that you turn in. They can put them in virtual files so that they can be recovered simply by typing your name into the system. They do not have to dig through thousands of paper files to find yours. They can work with these more quickly so that the whole process of collecting money and issuing refunds will be over much sooner. If you want to fill the paperwork out on a computer and then print it off, you can do this as well. At the end of the entire process, most tax programs will give you a choice. For a fee, you will be able to file online. For free, you will be able to print the papers and then mail them in. You should note that mailing them in will not be entirely free. You will still have to pay for postage. If you do not mind paying, filing online is faster.