The last thing many people want to do is take yet another extra step when it comes to doing their taxes. But the option to create an online account with the IRS could well be worth considering, according to tax professionals.This tax season, the IRS is highlighting improved and expanded features for its online account for individuals, which taxpayers can create at IRS.gov. The online accounts are not a requirement, so you can still e-file a return without creating such an account.The biggest selling point: By creating an online account, you can avoid the need to call the IRS for all sorts of questions. You can find answers day or night without having to call the IRS hotline at 800-829-1040."The world itself is more digital," said April Walker, lead manager for Tax Practice & Ethics with the American Institute of CPAs.Many people are increasingly comfortable paying their bills online, including their tax bills. They'd rather pay online than put a check in the mail.Most tax filers will face an April 15, 2025, tax deadline to file their 2024 federal income tax returns.Walker, who set up her own online account with the IRS about five years ago, said it wasn't the easiest process to verify her identity then to set up the account but she was able to do it. More information exists now on IRS.gov, though, she said on how to verify your identity to set up these accounts.During the pandemic, the tax filers did experience some difficulties when the IRS "Get My Payment" tool periodically would clunk out

Like this story? Please share!Convoy will feature more than 50 speakers with ties to Vanderbilt The event on March 4-6 is designed to foster the growth of the Vanderbilt Innovation Ecosystem.It is billed as an event where “SXSW meets Davos but with a healthy dose of Anchor Down!” Confused? If so, we’ll try to address the confusion.About a month from now – March 4 to 6 to be exact, Vanderbilt University is hosting the inaugural “Convoy” event, bringing together the most notable Commodores in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Leading-Edge Business to foster the growth of the Vanderbilt Innovation Ecosystem.The event over parts of three days features more than 50 alumni of the university or those who have ties, with a keynote presentation on the afternoon of March 4 by Mark Cuban, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of companies that bear his name. Probably best known for his long tenure on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” he is a parent of a Vanderbilt student and will participate in a fireside chat where Cuban will talk about the skillsets important to founders among other topics.Other notable Vanderbilt related speakers or alumni include:Jeff Rothchild , Vice Chair of Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust. He has co-founded several technology and software companies, including Veritas Software, and was the founding engineer at Facebook where he worked from 2005 to 2015., Vice Chair of Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust. He has co-founded several technology and software companies, including Veritas Software, and was the founding engineer at Facebook where he worked from 2005 to 2015. Dora Hughes , Chief Medical Officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services., Chief Medical Officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Julia Cheek , Founder and CEO of Everly Health., Founder and CEO of Everly Health