Tax software

[caddymac]

What does everyone here use for software to do their taxes? I used TurboTax last year, and it did an okay job. I noticed in the local Staples today that TaxCut is about $10 cheaper than TurboTax, is TurboTax worth the extra money?

[Trillian42]

I use TurboTax or TaxCut, whichever I can get cheaper that year. They do the same job IMO.

[phaedra]

I used Tax Cut this year and last year, and it did the job. I'm kind of annoyed that they no longer offer the free e-file they did last year, unless, of course, you pay 59.99 or something like that.

[old_school_soul]

I used Turbotax Online.. Mainly because I'd rather have my tax info on their servers than on my own machine.. Plus since it's all web based, you can do your taxes from work or home.. And it works on all Platforms -- Windows, OSX, Linux. Federal and state costs me $55 total, and the e-file is free.

[mishl982]

I use TurboTax pretty much because that's what my roommate buys. We just split the costs and it's pretty much fool proof.

[Jman06]

You can do it free on online. Suckers

[old_school_soul]

You can do it free on online. Suckers

Yeah? Where?

[redav]

Yeah? Where?
Free online filing is available for people with adjusted gross incomes less than $52k

Go to http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

Personally, I don't pay for doing my taxes. I programmed the 1040 into an Excel spreadsheet & use TurboTax online (but don't print it) to check it.

[wordsmith]

I've never paid anybody to do my taxes, and I don't use any software. My taxes aren't complicated. I sit down with the book and do it.

[mishl982]

Free online filing is available for people with adjusted gross incomes less than $52k

Go to http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

Oooh I might suggest this to the girls, but I think one of them makes way over that amount.

[old_school_soul]

Free online filing is available for people with adjusted gross incomes less than $52k

Go to http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

Personally, I don't pay for doing my taxes. I programmed the 1040 into an Excel spreadsheet & use TurboTax online (but don't print it) to check it.


Yeah, that's what I thought. The free stuff is for people who make less than a certain amount or don't have itemized deductions..

[analogman]

I use TurboTax. It was 20-something dollars for both federal and state at Costco after a $10 rebate. E-file is not free so I will print my return out and mail it in. They used to charge around $50 for the software but included 1 e-filing for free. This will have a lower total net cost to me so I am fine with snail mail. Besides, I am in no hurry to pay the amount I owe.

I use the software to make sure I don't make any math mistakes. I also have a lot of stock transactions and I don't want to figure out how to do a schedule D (I think that's the one) by hand.

I also like the feature of saving all the pages to a PDF (not sure if the online version has that feature). PDF make it easier to store five years' worth of tax records.

[EmberMae]

So let me get this straight, they normally make you pay to file online (less paperwork, less work necessary)??? bizarre. I've never used tax software. Since my parents still have investments in my name that aren't mine (don't even get me started), my uncle does my taxes for me. and we mail it in. fiance has always done his himself and mailed them in. we've already done his basically, but just waiting on a lost w2 from his old grocery store job.

[redav]

I use TurboTax. It was 20-something dollars for both federal and state at Costco after a $10 rebate. E-file is not free so I will print my return out and mail it in. They used to charge around $50 for the software but included 1 e-filing for free. This will have a lower total net cost to me so I am fine with snail mail. Besides, I am in no hurry to pay the amount I owe.
Last year my refund was under $1. Paying to get that one would have been completely wacked.

I also like the feature of saving all the pages to a PDF (not sure if the online version has that feature). PDF make it easier to store five years' worth of tax records.
The IRS website has modifiable .pdf files that you can download and complete. (e.g. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf) I typically use them because it makes it much neater and easier to save.

So let me get this straight, they normally make you pay to file online (less paperwork, less work necessary)??? bizarre. I've never used tax software. Since my parents still have investments in my name that aren't mine (don't even get me started), my uncle does my taxes for me. and we mail it in. fiance has always done his himself and mailed them in. we've already done his basically, but just waiting on a lost w2 from his old grocery store job.
The IRS really, really wants everyone to file electronically. However, if it were free for everyone, then all those H&R Block folks would loose tons of business. So a deal was struck--restrictions would be made to who can file online for free. It's expected that the service will be in such demand that everyone else will be willing to pay for it. It's fairly similar to the convenience fees my state has for using a credit card for vehicle registration (about $1) or paying property taxes (that's either an extra 1% or 2%). It's easier for us, easier for them, cheaper for them, but if they want to charge me more, they can bite themselves. For me, as long as efiling costs more than postage, I'm going with snail mail.

[SpaceMonkey]

I have to file in three states this year, so e-filing won't be at all cost-effective.

I'll probably just download the editable PDFs from the fed and state web sites and see how far I get before I have to call my parents for help.

[mishl982]

So upon further consideration I decided to do it online. Last year I had to pay about $30 to e-file my state and federal on top of whatever I owed my roommate for the software. With these free sites, I would only have to pay $8-15 to file my state and the federal is free. MUCH more cost-effective!

[biodork]

Last year I used turbotax. This year I'm going to do it for free online. I'd rather not pay extra money. Plus the temp agency I used to get my job screwed up my state taxes and paid them to the wrong state. Now I'm worried about having to pay more money.

[workaholic?]

i used h&r block's taxcut online last year and this year...last year it was free to e-file because i didn't make enough money, and this year it only cost me about $10...you can itemize your deductions and basically do everything you need.

[caddymac]

I might have to check out this online tax software, although I think I'd feel safer do it on my local machine.

[spiritedaway]

I just did my taxes for 2006 and e-filed it online.

I worked out the math manually first, calculated how much I owe (using the paper instructions/charts) and then did it using the free filing to see if it came out the same. It did, so I knew I did it right. My return is relatively simple now, so no need for tax software yet. I like the convenience of e-filing (no hassle with mailing/signing), but I do think it's actually faster to do it on paper. I also don't like the convenience fee if you want to pay using your credit card.

I telefiled for my state return, which I thought was convenient (but without the convenience fee)

[spokes]

i presonally would not feel comfortable with my most personal information sitting on some server somewhere, although that being said whose is is to say that my perosnal pc is any more safe......anyways i'll just spend the $35 or so and buy quicktax.

[yankeeyosh]

I have just e-filed using the H & R website since my 03 tax year. It's simple math, and I don't have super crazy taxes to deal with...so I never needed tax software. Before 03, I used my dad's accountant, but I didn't want to pay $150 every year anymore.

[HereComes30]

I have used TurboTax online for the last several years and love it! Actually, I have never filled out the actual forms before in my life. I was either on my parents taxes or I used TurboTax online! I am not sure what the benefit is in buying the software when you can do it online unless it enables you to enter data throughout the year. I love the fact that it is up to date with the latest tax laws, that I just have to fill in the blanks, that it checks for errors, and that if you use something like TurboTax you are less likely to be audited. I also like to watch the scrolling number in the top corner increase as I add different things. The last few years I have had multiple W2's, 1099's, unemployment comp, etc that made it a little confusing. Plus with a business, I want to make sure I am getting all of the right deductions and know how to complete all that proper paperwork. Right now I am getting back $700 and that is without entering any business expenses, charitable donations, mileage, etc. I am hoping that it will be around $2000 when all is said and done.

[HereComes30]

Last year I used turbotax. This year I'm going to do it for free online. I'd rather not pay extra money.

I think your tax prep is deductible the next year. I know it is for a business owner, but I think this is the case for anyone else too. So I don't mind buying the more deluxe online option for $45 or so since the next year I write that off.

[EmberMae]

I think your tax prep is deductible the next year. I know it is for a business owner, but I think this is the case for anyone else too. So I don't mind buying the more deluxe online option for $45 or so since the next year I write that off.
Only if you itemize deductions.

[sundaycomics]

http://www.taxslayer.com/ is like the tax software you buy, but it's free. The only other thing is that you have to go to your state website or the IRS, get the tax forms and fill them out before you send them in. Or you can e-file for $10.

[redav]

Only if you itemize deductions.
And only if it (combined with non-reimbursed expenses & other deductions) exceeds 2% of your AGI.

[HereComes30]

Finished my taxes Tuesday night with TurboTax online. Thank God for that site!! Love watching the running total of my return climb, climb, and then BOOOM! That is usually when I add my mileage to business expenses. And I love the direct deposit. Should be in my account in about a week or so. And then shopping spree time!