Which tax software do you use and why?

[scandal 951]

Turbotax?

HR Block?

Some other package or online website?

Do you efile or paper file?

Do you use an accountant or do your own?

I used HR Block last year, but I'm tempted to use one of these online sites like http://www.freetaxusa.com/

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Turbotax?

HR Block?

Some other package or online website?

Do you efile or paper file?

Do you use an accountant or do your own?

I used HR Block last year, but I'm tempted to use one of these online sites like http://www.freetaxusa.com/

HR Block TaxCut, only because for years I used HR Block direct from their offices. So far, zero tax issues ever. I don't know if it is absolutely necessary, I can do my own if need be. But like having someone in my corner in case there is ever trouble with the Man!

[luckytxn 2,264]

Always have used Turbo Tax. My brother used to manage all my different things I had going on and he used it. I use it as it remembers my past data and it is simple to use. I always efile and get my huge refund pretty quick.

[scandal 951]

HR Block TaxCut, only because for years I used HR Block direct from their offices. So far, zero tax issues ever. I don't know if it is absolutely necessary, I can do my own if need be. But like having someone in my corner in case there is ever trouble with the Man!

Ah, right, I should have mentioned that I used HRBlock TaxCut (the shrinkwrapped software package), not HR Block (the walk-in office service).

In the past I've used both Turbo Tax and TaxCut. They both seemed about equal to me.

I think the reason I started looking around for a change this year, is all the emphasis I'm seeing on free online versions. However, they seem to only work for 1040EZ and simple returns. They also don't include a free state return, I have to pay for that. Any pointers on my lowest cost option? I do itemize mortgage interest etc. on Schedule A, but otherwise have a pretty straightforward return this year.

[mawilson 2,133]

Turbo Home & Business

[Niels Bohr 72]

H&R Block already have my W2 from previous years. So, I'm stuck with them.

[NickD 203]

Maybe just me, fooled around with these, not getting the deductions I deserve from doing it the long hard way, with all those publications and forms, like 1,025 different forms from the IRS, and find inserting all that information indirectly more tiresome and confusing.

To me, a real tax software would contain all 1,025 forms and all 11,000 pages of the current IRS rules and regulations your congressman that is suppose to pass these laws doesn't know a damn thing about. They also have all these worksheets.

Gee, I am glad I read this post, here it is the 25th and I didn't receive my state sales tax form, another pain in the a$$, have to collect and send that money to the state. I think I read sometime back in July that I am suppose to file this on-line now, better check into that so I don't end up in jail.

God, I hate the IRS. Hey, if you pay someone through the nose to do your taxes, you can deduct that amount so you don't have to pay taxes on it. Isn't that sweet, but you still have to pay a bundle of money. Also word at one time, you shouldn't have to pay taxes on taxes, but we sure are in the hell doing that. Why can't we deduct FICA taxes off our gross, that is getting to be a huge sum of money, then I see where if you get SS benefits, have to pay taxes on that as well. Always pay income taxes on federal excise tax as just another example. And with limits on what you can deduct on tuition, tuition has skyrocketed due to the feds not giving money back to the states. So besides having to pay a huge amount of tuition because the feds are screwing the states, also have to pay income tax on it.

We are really getting screwed, yet another is paying income tax on interest when the inflation rate is greater than the interest rate. You have less money and forced to pay taxes on it, yet another screwing. Just bend over and smile.

[Ban Hammer 13,396]

i use the "jag tax office" software - it's free and guaranteed.

[payxibka 10,045]

www.taxslayer.com

mainly because the e-file fees are reasonable

Edited January 25, 2010 by payxibka

[SMR 368]

i use the "jag tax office" software - it's free and guaranteed.

Is that free even for state taxes? Or is that JAG as in military and thus only for military people?

More generally, does anyone know of free tax software for state taxes (NY in specific)? I've found a lot of software that will do the federal return for free.

Edited January 25, 2010 by SMR

[K and L 27]

I use an accountant because my taxes are complicated and they know how to optimize my return the best. I typically get refunds on the order of 80% of the tax I paid as a result, and when I tried various cheap ones, they only got a trivial amount back.

Getting married will probably not impact the taxes very much.

ETA: What's a $100 fee when my sum refund goes from about $500 to $7000? (And yes, my accountant's advised me on how to get them to withhold more, and every year, I increase my exemptions by one, and it's still insufficient... but in this economy, my money is slightly safer with the feds than it is in my stock portfolio!)

Edited January 25, 2010 by K and L

[Ban Hammer 13,396]

Is that free even for state taxes? Or is that JAG as in military and thus only for military people?

More generally, does anyone know of free tax software for state taxes (NY in specific)? I've found a lot of software that will do the federal return for free.

both.

[SMR 368]

I use an accountant because my taxes are complicated and they know how to optimize my return the best. I typically get refunds on the order of 80% of the tax I paid as a result, and when I tried various cheap ones, they only got a trivial amount back.

Getting married will probably not impact the taxes very much.

ETA: What's a $100 fee when my sum refund goes from about $500 to $7000? (And yes, my accountant's advised me on how to get them to withhold more, and every year, I increase my exemptions by one, and it's still insufficient... but in this economy, my money is slightly safer with the feds than it is in my stock portfolio!)

Are your taxes complicated, or is this something that you think can happen for anyone? I mean, do you think an accountant can get 80% back for most people, or only if you fill a specific bill.

[milimelo 4,494]

Turbotax deluxe.

[DEDixon 39]

i heard turbo-democrat returns less of a refund.... don't use it. turbo-republican returns are much better from what i've read.