Tax Prep Software

[Henia 11]

Hello, this year I would like to attempt to do my own taxes for the first time, since I feel kinda cheap and against paying H and R Block (my usual tax prepaper). Last year, I went to my usual branch but my usual tax prep person did not work there then, so I settled on another person. I was not really satisifed with this person. They messed my taxes terribly I got less much back then I do normally (my income and info was the same so I was thinking it would be about the same) ... They seemed to know less then I did and for the whopping $300 fees I paid I feel I was totally screwed. So this year I would like to try to do my own.

I went to Best Buy looking for some software ...finding that HR Block, Quicken and Turbo Tax were the top choices. Has anyone used any of these and care to give them a review. Also any accountants out there care to give me a hint, if it even worth trying to do it myself or should I just look for another tax prepaper/accountant? (My taxes are pretty straight forward, i have earned about the same for the past 3 yrs, I am head of household, no deductions other my one child.) Would it be worth it and pretty much easy/doable for me to prepare my own?

I appreciate all the help everyone.

[Ban Hammer 14,291]

lots of people here use turbotax with the additional state software. they seem quite pleased with it.

[Henia 11]

O BTW: I am not trying to jip anyone accountants out of their money, just trying to get advice from the experts.

Charles: Thanks for the info. At Best Buy, I saw there was the Turbo Tax deluxe premier and standard version. What is the difference btwn the deluxe and premier version, other then about 35$...???

Do any of these programs offer E-filing? I did not see on the box if it did or not...

Again, thanks everyone for the info....

[Ban Hammer 14,291]

O BTW: I am not trying to jip anyone accountants out of their money, just trying to get advice from the experts.

Charles: Thanks for the info. At Best Buy, I saw there was the Turbo Tax deluxe premier and standard version. What is the difference btwn the deluxe and premier version, other then about 35$...???

Do any of these programs offer E-filing? I did not see on the box if it did or not...

Again, thanks everyone for the info....

http://turbotax.intuit.com/

they have a help me choose selection, based on what your situation is.

and yes, they all can do e-file

Edited January 21, 2007 by charlesandnessa

[payxibka 10,048]

O BTW: I am not trying to jip anyone accountants out of their money, just trying to get advice from the experts.

Charles: Thanks for the info. At Best Buy, I saw there was the Turbo Tax deluxe premier and standard version. What is the difference btwn the deluxe and premier version, other then about 35$...???

Do any of these programs offer E-filing? I did not see on the box if it did or not...

Again, thanks everyone for the info....

All of the will e-file

deluxe edition is all you will need don't waste $35

I have used TT for 5 years or so... most people's tax situation does not change a lot from year to year. If you use the interiew feature in the sotware and last years return as a guide you wil be just fine

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We also use Turbo Tax and have for some time. We e-file as well - every year except the year I moved here since we needed to file paper returns to claim the Foreign Tax benefit. My husband really likes TT.

[rebeccajo 14]

Turbo Tax rocks.

We used it the first year Wes was here to help figure out the Foreign Earned Income problem. Like Kathryn, we didn't e-file that return, but it helped figure out the 'physical presence' stuff.

[Henia 11]

Thanks very much everyone! I will check that www out now!

What is the Foreign Tax benefit?

Edited January 22, 2007 by Henia

[Widge 0]

I use www.Taxactonline.com and on the basis that I am the foreign half of this duo and had never seen anything half as complicated as American taxes (and I did company accounts in the UK) it has to be easy to follow .......... added bonus of no software to install as its all done online state and federal (has even imported all last years data so haven't got fill everything in again) Can't recommend it highly enough easy peassy to use and very helpful. Didn't file online last year but will this year as I want my refund fast to fund trip home :-)

[Nikita2Charles 33]

I've been doing my taxes online, I used (turbotax.com)Turbotax for the Web for the past 6 years, last 2 years i've used Taxact.com. They offered cheaper filing, but this year going back to Turbotax since my situation is more complicated. Turbotax.com even keep a record of your previous tax forms, and specially for people filing their immigration paperwork. It came very handy when i couldn't find one year tax paperwork all I had to do was log in and Voila.

Edited January 22, 2007 by Nikita2Charles

[DelcoCouple 1]

Or you could do it for free

http://www.taxact.com/

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Turbo tax online

You create and account and they save your info from last year. No need to buy dvds or download software.

[Donna A 4]

yep i used turbo tax last year and loved it. only one thing i got stuck on was capital gains. had to find another program to explain to me what they wanted. after i figured it out i did fine with turbo tax.