Anyone do their own taxes?

[disneychrista]

I have never not done my own taxes. Unless you have a complicated tax situation, I don't see a reason to pay someone to fill in a couple forms.

Plus with online tax prep, I can do it online & efile for free.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We've also used Turbo Tax for a few years now and we love it. It is very user friendly and we have no complaints

 

[nilseks]

Another vote for TurboTax. I am self employed and have used it for several years. Two years ago I decided to be even more budget minded and started using TaxAct. First year all was fine. Last year it gave me problems and I had to keep asking my best friend (a CPA) questions--she finally said there MUST be some kind of glitch. I ended up inputting all the info into TurboTax and it was correct. Back to TurboTax this year!!!

 

[mrodgers]

I did the return last year on Turbo Tax online, H&R Block online, and TaxAct online without submitting the return just to see if any would be different. They are all pretty similar to use and the return was the same. All 3 are free e-file with federal and charge for state, so I didn't file state. I filed with TaxAct because that is where I've filed for the past few years.

I have 2 incomes, 2 kids, and no deductions because my thimble sized house doesn't net anywhere close to enough interest for itemized deduction. Silly to pay someone to do such simple taxes.

I paid H&R Block (the walk-in service) once and the fee was ridiculous, but it was the first year owning the house so I had about $100 more than standard deduction with points paid for the mortgage plus the interest. Also did them on paper myself just to see what I came up with and my numbers for refund came out $118 more because that is what they charged me. That was the only time since starting to work in 1988 that I had someone else do my taxes.

 

[meriface11]

i've used H&R Block's online system for the last few years and have been very happy with it. they have a few different versions that offer levels of assistance at various price points. our filing is fairly simple (2 incomes, itemized deductions), but lately i have been using the offering that requires me to do all of the inputs and then I submit it to an accountant to review and file for me. it's about $75 and I like having the peace of mind knowing that someone reviews it for me. it's about another $30 for each state that you have to file a return.

 

[brookmey]

DH uses Turbo Tax and has never had a problem. We're also pretty straightforward, married, 2 kids, mortgage, student loans. He e-files and we get our refund direct deposited in no time!

He's got an extra incentive this year to get it done quickly, a portion of our return is going to build his man cave!

 

[rentayenta]

We used Turbo Tax for years until we started to owe. We now have an accountant.

 

[furb & dez]

Another vote for TaxAct here. Easy to use and inexpensive, plus it doesn't load a whole bunch of crapware onto your PC like TurboTax does.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

We use TaxAct- no issues at all, and it's cheaper than turbo tax.

It's easy to use and you can bundle Fed&State for a low price!

 

[Robinrs]

I've used Tax Act online for years.. awesome. I have a friend who has her own tax preparer company and she did my taxes after Tax Act for free. She came up with about the same numbers and had no extra pluses. She was amazed!

 

[bumbershoot]

Even doing it by hand on paper is pretty simple. The big huge info booklet that you can pick up with the forms walks you through it as well. I was self-employed with amortizations and sometimes getting to claim mileage, and it was still simple.

I *always* do our taxes on paper AND online, just so I can really make sure I'm getting it all. I do usually file online, but the day that's not free for us is the day I just file my written forms by mail.

 

[disneychrista]

the day that's not free for us is the day I just file my written forms by mail.

This is how I feel too. I love the ease of doing it online, but not so much that I would pay for it.

 

[mrspaha]

Lots of recommendations for Turbo Tax!

Anyone use H&R Block's online tax software? They are considerably cheaper than Turbo Tax.

Just wondering if one is superior than the other (ie., worth the extra cost) or not...

Over the past years, I have used all 3 of the major tax programs, but I always buy the boxed version. Personally, I like taxact and hr block the best; they seem less cumbersome to me, and both have always been cheaper. I think taxact is actually the cheapest.

I like the boxed version because I also do tax returns for other family members, and print them out for them prior to filing online. Not sure if its still true, but it seems to me that with turbo tax (boxed version I'm talking about here) there's a limited number of returns you can prepare with it.

I always get the boxed version, because I like to print out the various reports, schedules, etc.; set them aside; then go back and review at a later time for accuracy. It's pretty easy to transpose numbers, and somehow I feel when you just plomp yourself down at the computer to file online, it would be to easy (for me, at least) to make a stupid mistake.

 

[mrspaha]

I also want to suggest to OP, that if you do decide to do your own taxes, before you actually submit it, print a complete copy of the return you have prepared and compare it line by line to last year's return prepared by your accountant. Even though the numbers will be slightly different, you want to make sure that you have things in the right place, and that you didn't miss anything.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, we do, but my DH is a CPA so no issues (other than the time he used the same software for us that he did for a client and accidentally deposited OUR money into the client's account! ) We got our money back and it wasn't an issue.

I have not stopped giving him a hard time about that! He checks so carefully when it isn't OUR return!

Dawn

 

[Sheree]

another endorsement for H&R block tax cut
i use the home and business premium. with the interview process you may even be reminded of things you didnt realize

 

[njmom47]

I have used both TurboTax and H&R Block. If your adjusted gross income is under around 58,000 (which I don't think is the case for many people on here) you can usually file for free. NJ also has a free efile but some programs do charge a fee for state returns. Efile is the best thing ever..quick and directly deposited into the account of your choice.

 

[puffkin]

I am a CPA and I use Tax Act free edition for my personal return. I used Turbo Tax prior and it was good too, but Tax Act is FREE so even better! I agree to just compare this years return to prior years. The numbers should pretty much be on the same lines if you have no changes so you should be able to see if you miss something.

You will KICK yourself when you see how much money you have been throwing away on taxes. I make it a rule not to do family returns, but my cousin's is really simple (1 kid, 2 W-2, mortgage) that I do hers. She used to pay $200 at the tax prep place and I just make her take me out to lunch instead. It is so easy

 

[trip]

Over the past years, I have used all 3 of the major tax programs, but I always buy the boxed version. Personally, I like taxact and hr block the best; they seem less cumbersome to me, and both have always been cheaper. I think taxact is actually the cheapest.

I like the boxed version because I also do tax returns for other family members, and print them out for them prior to filing online. Not sure if its still true, but it seems to me that with turbo tax (boxed version I'm talking about here) there's a limited number of returns you can prepare with it.
I always get the boxed version, because I like to print out the various reports, schedules, etc.; set them aside; then go back and review at a later time for accuracy. It's pretty easy to transpose numbers, and somehow I feel when you just plomp yourself down at the computer to file online, it would be to easy (for me, at least) to make a stupid mistake.

I believe you can e-file up to 5 returns with the "box version" but you could prepare and just print out the forms for more.

 

[mirage0306]

I use turbo tax every year. It's really simple. We have a mortgage, several deductions, two incomes, etc. It's very straightforward.