Tax Software

[kenshirley]

I have been using TT for some 11 years now with no problems.
Don't buy the discs, just go to the site and use it.

[arkienurse]

I have been using TT for some 11 years now with no problems.
Don't buy the discs, just go to the site and use it.

I second this motion. I have used turbotax online for the past 3 years, and I am just waiting on some interest forms to come in before I file for this past year. I have never bought the software, always did it online. They have all my information from the past years so I don't have to fill in the blanks on things like SSN, children and ages, even employer info. They ask you to overview it and make sure nothing has changed. On the deduction portion, they are even showing me how much I put down last year.
And I was able to pull up the previous years returns, but think after reading a previous post I will save them to my computer.

I did have a glitch with my state return last year. Somehow or another it showed me that I was filing for an extension, and I wasn't able to find a way to undo it. However I received my state refund before I even got my copies of my w-2s mailed in ( Arkansas makes you mail a signature page and your w-2s if you efile). This year I plan to do state myself, as Arkansas has an adobe form that you can fill in online, print and mail with your information. Cheaper and easier.

[twuoo]

Ok, I was just on the taxcut website...which is h&r block.

It says you get 5 federal efiles. Does this mean you can do other tax returns to use up the 5 efiles?

[justbroke]

Ok, I was just on the taxcut website...which is h&r block.

It says you get 5 federal efiles. Does this mean you can do other tax returns to use up the 5 efiles?

Yes, that's per account. They don't want "professionals" using it to file people's taxes. They use to limit the desktop product as well.

[syn]

I would use H&R Block but if you really want to do it on your own then I hear Turbo Tax is pretty good.

[Bassgirl]

I have a question about which TT to use.

I have started a small business. Sole prop. It is a fishing guide business. Should I use the 1040 long form or use the small business one? I only made 1400.00 and had some big expenses getting started like purchasing a boat, and fishing gear. The weather was terrible this past year. And the new boat was in the shop for 8 weeks AFTER I bought it. So it was a slow start.

BG

[justbroke]

I have a question about which TT to use.

I have started a small business. Sole prop. It is a fishing guide business. Should I use the 1040 long form or use the small business one? I only made 1400.00 and had some big expenses getting started like purchasing a boat, and fishing gear. The weather was terrible this past year. And the new boat was in the shop for 8 weeks AFTER I bought it. So it was a slow start.

BG

I would use TurboTax Deluxe. You still use the 1040, but you'll use Schedule C for your business. Depending on other things, such as employees, etc, you may need to file other forms, like quarterly 941s, and other business forms.

Also, be sure to see what Section 179 expenses you are allowed. Basically, Section 179 allows you to depreciate certain items immediately at 100%!!! Basically writing off the purchase in the same tax year, rather than waiting 5, 7, or more years for straightline depreciation!!!

[twuoo]

OK, i was just helping a relative do TT online. He's made less than $20K last year.

TurboTax wanted $50 to file fed and state.

What a FRIGGIN JIP!

I said I'll just write it out on paper instead. GOSH!!!

[justbroke]

OK, i was just helping a relative do TT online. He's made less than $20K last year.

TurboTax wanted $50 to file fed and state.

What a FRIGGIN JIP!

I said I'll just write it out on paper instead. GOSH!!!

It's not TurboTax which charges the electronic submission fee. Electronic filing has traditionally cost $19.95 for both the Federal and State forms. This has been the fee for filing using the computer-based (non-online based) program.

TurboTax Oline (TTO) will actually do your Federal for $14.95 and electronically file it as well. If you choose to do a State, you add $34.95 for State, with electronic filing.

Otherwise, if you don't want to file electronically, print and file paper forms.

(Corrected)

[FLBK7]

I had been using HR Block online for years, with good results. For my 2008 tax returns I entered the exact same data in both HR Block Basic and Turbo Tax Deluxe, just to compare and see if there would be any difference. TT gives me a higher refund than HR Block -- higher by $175, even after deducting their $29.95 fee. I haven't actually filed yet, but I thought the difference between the two programs was interesting.