Tech Talk: Taxes and Technology | Video

Jerame Novak | 3/13/2013

From the days of paper forms and trying to remember high school math to e-filing and even apps for your phone, technology has changed the way taxes are done. And it`s not just for people filing on their own.

The majority of people in North Dakota are using technology to file their taxes.

"People are becoming more comfortable with doing business electronically. Buying on the Internet, you know, doing business over the Internet and that just naturally means that more people are feeling comfortable having their taxes done electronically," said ND Tax Commissioner Cory Fong.

If you have questions, the IRS website has some resources. If you`re filing in North Dakota, Fong suggests starting with the Tax Department website.

"The reason to start with our website is because we have all of the online providers that use and have integrated North Dakota forms," he said.

In addition to what they learn from textbooks, accounting students are learning about the technology they`ll use on the job.

"So any accounting firm, any tax firm is going to be using some kind of software. So even if it`s not the same as what we use in class, it`s very similar," said U-Mary Accounting Professor Rhoda Sautner.

"Even looking 10 years back, it`s a huge difference between what technologies and how technology has come into play with accounting systems and making way, getting rid of the general ledger and filling everything out on paper," said U-Mary senior Kelan Oster.

"In tax class, that`s what our teacher talks about is how in reading publications and things like that nature. It`s really becoming an up and coming thing is to e-file," said U-Mary junior Kyle Kopren.

Some students are already using technology for their own finances.

"I have Quickbooks for myself that I put my own personal finances in, so I can only see doing that for my own career," said U-Mary senior Keri Riehl.

Professional preparers are also using technology for their customers.

"Yes, all of them are e-filed. There are a few customers that still believe in the paper product, but yes," said Jackson Hewitt office supervisor Nicole Schmidt.

Schmidt also says that people can enter information online before their appointment.

The North Dakota Tax Department is also using social media to communicate with taxpayers. More information can be found at www.nd.gov/tax.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES