Turbotax?

[MinnieTink]

We have been using H & R Block for the past several years. It is quite pricey and we are considering doing it "ourselves" with Turbotax. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

We have been using H & R Block for the past several years. It is quite pricey and we are considering doing it "ourselves" with Turbotax. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Turbotax ROCKS!!! Don't waste your $$ with H&R Block. Explore your options with Turbo Tax!! They have a lot of options these days for different levels of tax needs. I've done mine this way since 2004. LOVE IT!!

 

[quentina]

We use it, never had any problems. I would not see any reason to switch to someone else.

 

[ebtbmom]

I have used Turbotax for the last several years. It is really easy and guides you step by step through everything. There are lots of explainations for certain taxes and credits too. If you have a pretty basic tax situation (not a business or something complicated) I think you'll really like it.

 

[kathie859]

is taxact.com. I've used this online program for 3 years with great success. We have a pretty easy return with some itemization and can't imagine going back to a tax preparer and pay big bucks to have our return completed.

 

[LoraJ]

They sent me the program in the mail to use for free. I could not do all of the deductions I could possibly get unless I paid, but the cost of the program is very reasonable. We us an accountant, so I am going to see how it compares to what the accountant gets us this year and then convince DH to use the program alone next year.

 

[HelenePA]

We have been using H & R Block for the past several years. It is quite pricey and we are considering doing it "ourselves" with Turbotax. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Turbotax or Taxact is now H&R block at least online. They probably use the same program in the store.. you can "try" it for free by just making an account with them. The only time you need to pay is when you file.. heck if you make under an amount efiling is free (even thru H&R block!) Now state is not free on their site I think its 29.95 I do not do my state with them since I can file for free on the PA website. Is it feb 5th yet? I did mine last night and will have it deposited then

 

[kilee]

I've used TurboTax for many years. Just switched to Taxact this year because it was cheaper and just as recommended. Anyhow, I think both programs are comparable and a great way to go.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I started with TurboTax Professional in 1985. Intuit has changed the name a couple of times and it is now ProSeries. Basically it is TurboTax on steroids for the professional tax preparer. The program I use is excellent but does not have the interview features which TurboTax has; as a professional I am expected to know the rules but the program does all the calcultions and tie-ins.

I have one new client (for two years) who had used H&R Block's online progam and it lost his Schedule A when it was filed and actually delayed so the IRS reports showed it as filed almost four months late -- and it took about a year to get everything unscrambled.

 

[KramBerries]

Try it online. I don't think you have to pay until you file so you can test it.

I've used TurboTax and TaxAct for many years now. I like the interface to TurboTax better, but both are good. They both do a great job for relatively simple tax situations but aren't all that easy if things get complicated.

For example, one year I bought a stock in several increments over a few months and then sold it in several increments over a few months. Most of the trades were over a year apart, so I could treat them as long term gains. One purchase was within a year of the sales so it was a short term gain. TT wanted to use the average cost method for determining my cost basis but I was able to save a few hundred dollars by identifying specific lots and make the short term gain use the lowest sales price. I was able to do that in TT, but not by following the interview process.

I've also had problems that neither could help me with. One year I paid over the federal limit into my 401K because I switched companies and accidentally had about $200 extra taken out. Neither program knew how to deal with that.

So if your taxes are relatively simple, both programs are great. If your taxes are moderately complicated, both programs work well but it helps if you understand how the system works so that you can get the lowest possible return. If your taxes are complex, relatively high, and you don't know much about taxes, you'll probably save money with a preparer because they'll optimize your taxes better.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DH just bought the combo TurboTax/Norton pack from Best Buy. We have to upgrade our Norton's and both of them have mail-in rebates. We will be getting 50 bucks back total.

Our taxes are basic so it works for us.

 

[RadioNate]

Turbo Tax rules! We've used it for many many years.

The only time we've used H&R Block they seriously screwed up our taxes and we ended up owing a fine to the state we used to live in. It was horrible and the wouldn't honor their money back guarantee, even after they screwed things up so terribly. The reason we went with H&R Block over TurboTax that year was because we had earned income in 2 different states and knew that would complicate things. Too bad H&R Block didn't know how to deal with that at all!

 

[Metro West]

We use it, never had any problems. I would not see any reason to switch to someone else.

 

[LisaNJ25]

which one has the cheapest cost to file state?

 

[ugadog99]

I have used taxact for the last three years. It is slightly cheaper than turbotax. I've had no problems at all.

 

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for all the input!

When you do a free trial online, is it necessary to enter ALL your personal info. I know DH would not want to enter our SS#s etc if there is a possibilty we won't use that system. Just curious...

 

[golfgal]

Thanks for all the input!

When you do a free trial online, is it necessary to enter ALL your personal info. I know DH would not want to enter our SS#s etc if there is a possibilty we won't use that system. Just curious...

I don't think you need to enter your SS just to use the online version but if you pay for it an want to e-file--which is the preferred way to file your taxes--you will have to enter them because they are required on your tax forms. Keep in mind, the government already has your SS number and you filing through THEIR system so there isn't much use in worrying about them getting your SS number.

 

[KramBerries]

Thanks for all the input!

When you do a free trial online, is it necessary to enter ALL your personal info. I know DH would not want to enter our SS#s etc if there is a possibilty we won't use that system. Just curious...

You could leave it blank until you file or, if they are insistent, you could just make up a number and then change it before you file. In the end though, you'll have to provide it to file.

 

[mbfqueen]

Oh goodness. If you can fill out an application for email, you can do this! lol seriously easy ..

I have been doing it for 15 yrs, or 14 or something .. but truly easy!

 

[MinnieTink]

Actually I'm not that concerned about the ease of use. I used to do our taxes the old fashioned way. I just want to make sure that software like Turbo will get me my rebate that's as much as I would get if I went to H&R.

Thanks everyone for your help.