taxes...cheapest pay to get it done

[Sagginit]

hi i know there were some posts on this a while ago but i just don't see them. so my question is simple, for those of you that are paying for it to be done, what is the place that is cheapest? someone told me to go to H & R block because its pretty cheap, quick, and they do a good job. my friend claims they quoted her at $150 and so she did it online herself but someone told me that she must have additional complications because that is a high fee for a young single person who doesn't invest or own a home.

the reason im asking is i was doing it on turbo tax and it was going easy, taking some time, but fairly easy. i got to the state part and they want an additonal $37 for state, and i worked in two . so with the deluxe filing fee i would pay a total of $104. the cost suddenly tripled and i felt like they were just gonna keep adding fees if i kept going. that seems pricey considering im doing most of the work.

 

[Redarrow5150]

In the past, since my State returns are small, I just mail it out. This year I had to pay State and just mailed it out. Either way the cost (IMO) doesn't justify e-file due to the amount of return.

hi i know there were some posts on this a while ago but i just don't see them. so my question is simple, for those of you that are paying for it to be done, what is the place that is cheapest? someone told me to go to H & R block because its pretty cheap, quick, and they do a good job. my friend claims they quoted her at $150 and so she did it online herself but someone told me that she must have additional complications because that is a high fee for a young single person who doesn't invest or own a home.

the reason im asking is i was doing it on turbo tax and it was going easy, taking some time, but fairly easy. i got to the state part and they want an additonal $37 for state, and i worked in two . so with the deluxe filing fee i would pay a total of $104. the cost suddenly tripled and i felt like they were just gonna keep adding fees if i kept going. that seems pricey considering im doing most of the work.

 

[Sagginit]

i worked in NJ for part of the year and then NY for the other part but am a resident of NJ so according to them i need to file two returns and calculate how many days or percentage i worked in each state. i think it makes me get a refund from ny and then pay it to nj but im not sure which is why im not doing it on my own and trying to pay to get a program/person to do it. normally i have a step relative do it for free on a basic turbo tax they have and mail it in, but that is not an option this year. im honestly in no rush to get the refunds, i just want it done before its last minute.

 

[meriface11]

i think that's probably a pretty basic quote for an H&R block office--their "best of both worlds (where you do the entry and then someone reviews it), is $80, so it doesn't surprise me that it costs that much to go into the brick and mortar to have someone prep it in person. to have someone file 2 state returns will cost more than that if you went into one of their sites.

 

[hopemax]

In the past, since my State returns are small, I just mail it out. This year I had to pay State and just mailed it out. Either way the cost (IMO) doesn't justify e-file due to the amount of return.

This. The $37 through Turbo Tax is just a fee for e-filing. Just print out the completed return, attach your W-2's and mail it in. When you print, it includes a sheet with the address, and reminds you what to include, remember to sign & date, etc.

Now, that I think about it. I guess it downloads one set of state files for free, but additional states you have to pay for. So I guess there is a fee for that. But you can avoid the e-filing fee, by printing and mailing yourself.

 

[bellarella]

that seems pricey considering im doing most of the work.

If you think you're doing most of the work, then just pull the forms and fill them out by hand and don't use any program.

Like others have said, you don't have to pay to efile -- just print the forms and mail them in. You will have to pay for the second state, but you will pay more to have someone prepare 3 filings for you as well.

 

[hpfan100]

I use the free online turbo tax or HR program to double check my math on forms. I print them for feds and state. Then I free efile with the feds using a link from there website called free fillable forms. It takes some time but it works out fine for me. Then i stapled my W2 to state form and send it 44 cent snail mail.

If you aren't getting a huge return I see no point in paying 100 dollars to file.

 

[SandrA9810]

A few years ago, I created an H&R block account when they allowed free 1040 filing. Since I needed to complete two returns, I plugged in all the numbers, got to the end and printed it out. Went back to the beginning, and replugged in the second one.

I would just use the program to fill the forms out, print them, and then mail them in. Because you can always change the forms, and clear out the first state return.

 

[prncess674]

It sounds like you were a part year resident of two states. I would just buy turbo tax and do it yourself. If the only complexity is two states, then TT will guide you through the whole process. HRB is a company who hires many incompetent paper pushers. Sure they say they stand behind their work, but honestly you can either pay a 1/3 of what they charge and enter it yourself in a tax prep software like TT or you can pay them outrageous sums for some poorly trained paper pushers to enter your info to HRB software.

TurboTax software is simple and easy to follow. The only difference between going to a HRB brick and mortar is a barely competent person asks you the questions and inputs your answers into the software.

 

[Tina]

Tax preparers charge by the form. The more forms you need to use, the more the charge. If you have to file two state returns, that will increase your fees also. Stick with Turbo Tax and, as the others have suggested, just file the states by mail.

 

[sam_gordon]

I suggest TaxAct.com Cost me $20 total for Federal & State. House, child care deductions, 2 "normal" incomes, & my freelancing work.