Anyone do their own taxes?

[threeboysmom]

It looks like you can't use the free editions of Turbo Tax or HR Block if you have investments?

Turbo Tax Deluxe is $49.95 and HR Block is $29.95.

Would love to just use the free version if I could, but not sure if I'd be missing anything.

And... this is the first year I've ever had to file for myself so I need something EASY that is going to walk me through step-by-step because I'm a complete tax newbie!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Same situation as the OP (except no child) and I've always done my own taxes. I don't remember if I use H.R. Block or Turbo Tax...but I do them online.

 

[PatMcDuck]

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

I have been using Turbo Tax for over 15 years, I think. Some years we had some complications, DH had a side business for example for awhile. And inheritance stuff, like stock, that was sold, etc. I muddled my way thru. the programs walk you thru it. I do the 3 kids returns too. (they are not KIDS anymore, maybe this year I will bail on them, but they usually file an EZ form, just too easy online). For the kids I mail the state returns, because Turbo Tax only has one free Efile for the state. The kids federal can be e filed free of course.

I BUY the boxed version, I want the programs so I can file for others, plus on rare occasions I had to amend returns, etc, and I needed the earlier years programs to do this quickly.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

Another vote for FREE Taxact online.

 

[fofinia]

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.

Yes this is what we did when we switched from an acct. to doing our own taxes. I made sure that all the same lines, mostly were filled in. The same numbers for the home office deduction. And from the start my husband had his own business and had mileage and things like that. I love it. I've done others taxes too. (family).

We use the H&R Block version. It imports the numbers from last year each successive year.

Good luck

 

[furb & dez]

We use the H&R Block version. It imports the numbers from last year each successive year.

So does TaxAct.

Can't wait for my W-2! Should have my tax refund before January's even over.

 

[angierae]

Another vote for TurboTax here- we own a home, plus DH has self-employment income on top of a W2 job, we only claim our daughter every other year, etc etc, and TurboTax has always been able to handle our taxes just fine.

 

[momof1princess]

i've been doing our taxes online for about 8-9 years now. i've used turbo tax a few times, and last year, i used tax act because the fees were cheaper. both are very easy to use, and i had my refund direct deposited in about 10 days.

 

[dbarker]

I'm a CPA and I use Tax Act. It is FREE (federal) and super easy to use. I don't have any recommendations for state returns (I live in Texas = no state income tax).

 

[furb & dez]

Just wanted to post an update... I got my W-2 today (my firm lets us opt out of paper W-2s and receive them electronically), and I've already finished my tax return and submitted both federal and state returns.

Took 22 minutes using TaxAct.com and cost around $23 bucks.

 

[mckinley]

Anyone know what happens if you do your own and something ends up not being correct what they do? Our taxes are more detailed since i am contract employee (basically self-employed) mileage, home office etc. We have used a cpa that has charged us $200 each year. We are not to impressed with him, but don't have much options around here. I am just afraid i will not understand some of the self-employed ?s and mess it all up.