Filing Taxes Yourself This Year?
Are you filing your taxes yourself this year?
I have always prepared my own taxes each year. I have used TurboTax every single year.
This software has been extremely helpful and straightforward to use.
I have considered using TurboTax's competitor, TaxCut (by H&R Block), but I always back out because TurboTax is designed to automatically transfer all of last year's information over to this year's return.
(I wonder if TaxCut can auto transfer a return put together using TurboTax?)
If you have a very simple tax return and plan on using 1040EZ, TurboTax provides their software and one federal tax filing for FREE!
Otherwise, there is a cost for the software, but it is reasonably priced for such a good software package.
I've never had a problem with a filing I have made with TurboTax.
I am sure it is the same for TaxCut software, but I have not used the product.
By the way, I usually look at the Staples or Office Depot sales ads this time of year before purchasing my TurboTax software. Usually, they will have a special – something like "Buy TurboTax and get a $10 gift card" deal. I like that! Last year, I ended up buying my software from Best Buy, and it came with a free wireless mouse. It is a great mouse! It was backordered and took over two months to get it, but they did ship it to me!
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I have been using TAXACT.com for the past few years. To prepare and efile both federal and state is only $16.95. It is setup near exactly like TurboTax– I used TurboTax years prior to TAXACT. Also, if you are a returning user, it will transfer the prior year’s info over just as TT does.
I have used H&R Block online and it caries the data forward every year. Plus it’s online and I don’t have to worry about what computer I’m on or if I have upgraded to a new computer. Once your return is done, you can print it, download it, and/or e-file it.
I used H&R Block TaxCut for one year. It did carry my TurboTax info from the previous year. However, it was much less user-friendly & the final printout looked like a third-grader put it together!
Back to TurboTax for me! I still like them the best.
My $0.02
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I’ve itemized using TAXACT for the past three years. It is free if you print out your federal return and mail it in. I do have to retype my personal info, and pay for a stamp, but that is the only inconvenience. You are basically getting their paid-for product with some sporadic ads, I can live with that. Colorado IRS runs a website where you e-file your state taxes for free also.
Hi Joseph-
I ran across your post on preparing your own taxes and thought if you had any
tax-related questions, you might want to give your readers a heads up that H&R
Block is offering free “Ask a Tax Advisor†sessions in honor of National
Tax Advice Day 2008.
I’m sorry for the late notice (I JUST came across yout site) but through Jan
31, anyone can have a free email or phone exchange with an H&R Block tax pro.
And it’s not some overseas operator– you’ll be working with a real tax pro
with more than 8 years of experience and over 250 hours of training.
Check it out here: http://digits.hrblock.com/ssDigits/NTAD.php
I have been using Turbotax for 2 years now and it makes everything easier for me because I dont have to bring anyone with me and the money goes right where it needs to go. It cost me half what I use to pay and a got a coupon for $10 off. It helps to be accountable for my business too. I did my taxes in my jammies this year!!!
I use the TurboTax online option. I don’t have to buy any software. It will transfer my info from last year and from Federal to State. It’s worked great. They have options to free e-file your federal (state is additional charge) or different prices for different option you might need if you aren’t super tax return savvy. The cool part for me is they have it set up where the charge for them to file and all that stuff is automatically taken out of my tax return right before it is deposited in my bank account. Little mess or fuss. I LOVE it!!