What tax software do you use?

[sam_gordon]

I've used Turbotax for the last 5-6 years and have been happy with the program. However, their pricing has gotten ridiculous. If I use TT online (free state & federal efile), it's still $65! If I download/get a CD, I think it's another $20 to efile state!

I'm pretty sure I read on DIS about taxslayer.com. If I'm reading their website right, Federal return (with efile) is $10. A state return is an additional $5... a total of $15!

Am I missing any hidden charges with taxslayer? Are folks happy with them?

As far as the complexity of my return...
* home mortgage
* child care expense
* 1099 income (in addition to my "full time" job)
* charity donations
* interest income

So, yes, I will file a 1040A (not an EZ).

Thoughts?

 

[minnie1928]

I've been using H&R block's Tax Cut for a couple years, previously I used turbo tax. They are virtually identical, the differences were cosmetic. So I switched for the lower price. It's not as low as the site you mentioned, but at the time it was the best alternative.

 

[comicguy]

We have been using Turbo Tax Federal and State (w/free federal efile) for about 6 years. I just print off the state form and mail that in because I think they wanted 20 dollars to efile the state return.

We usually pick up the TT at sam's club for about 40 dollars or so

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I use Taxact.com. I think they are running a special for 19.99 for Federal and State.

 

[sam_gordon]

oops, sorry, didn't see this thread... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2624634&highlight=taxslayer from a week ago. Since I'm on the board multiple times a day I don't understand how I missed it.

I'm going to look into taxact also.

 

[Sadie22]

I've used Turbotax for the last 5-6 years and have been happy with the program. However, their pricing has gotten ridiculous. If I use TT online (free state & federal efile), it's still $65! If I download/get a CD, I think it's another $20 to efile state!

I'm pretty sure I read on DIS about taxslayer.com. If I'm reading their website right, Federal return (with efile) is $10. A state return is an additional $5... a total of $15!

Am I missing any hidden charges with taxslayer? Are folks happy with them?

As far as the complexity of my return...
* home mortgage
* child care expense
* 1099 income (in addition to my "full time" job)
* charity donations
* interest income

So, yes, I will file a 1040A (not an EZ).

Thoughts?

I use Turbotax Home and Business which I purchase from Amazon or at local office supply stores using whatever special they have running when I want to purchase it. I have a home business and a complex return, including donations of goods to charity, which I like to work on over a period of time. Using an online service would not satisfy me due to privacy concerns.

I can prepare and file up to five federal returns for family members. My state's software is a free download. I tend to mail in that return so any cost to efile is not a concern.

I have been using Turbotax for many years. I am a very satisfied customer.

 

[IDoDis]

We use Turbotax Deluxe which is what you'd need if you itemize. A few years ago we switched to TaxCut because it was cheaper, but the refund amount came out significantly lower. We ran through every step again to make sure we didn't make a mistake, but the refund was still lower.

So before filing, I ran the free TurboTax online just to see what it came out to and the refund was almost almost $800 more! Don't know how that happened, but we've decided to pay the extra for TurboTax since then.

Amazon usually has the best prices.

 

[MK2thcleaner]

I use Turbotax and usually find some kind of discount for Federal. Then I go all the way through the Turbotax state so I know what amount I'm supposed to get back. Kansas has it's own online filing system that is FREE. The states system isn't very user friendly and can be confusing even though it only requires answers to yes/no questions and a few entries of numbers from the federal form. That's why I make sure I know what my refund should be.

The refund is just as quick as using Turbotax. Maybe you should check and see if your state has it's own Free service online.

 

[horseshowmom]

Fidelity and State Farm both have 25% off the online version of Turbo Tax. You have to go through their visitor links on their pages to get the discount.

 

[minnie1928]

We use Turbotax Deluxe which is what you'd need if you itemize. A few years ago we switched to TaxCut because it was cheaper, but the refund amount came out significantly lower. We ran through every step again to make sure we didn't make a mistake, but the refund was still lower.

So before filing, I ran the free TurboTax online just to see what it came out to and the refund was almost almost $800 more! Don't know how that happened, but we've decided to pay the extra for TurboTax since then.

Amazon usually has the best prices.

FWIW, one of the last year's I used TT I ended up getting a penalty from the state because TT calculated something incorrectly. The penalty was only $40, but TT refused to reimburse me which goes against the policy they advertise. $40 certainly didn't bust the budget so I didn't get too worked up over it.

 

[fab5friend99]

Fidelity and State Farm both have 25% off the online version of Turbo Tax. You have to go through their visitor links on their pages to get the discount.

Definelty check around for discounts for turbotax. Check slickdeals.net. Even my credit union offers a small one. I've gotten 35% off in the past. I think it was from T Rowe Price or Dreyfus. I know a few years ago you could get the fidelity one from their website without having an account.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I don't think you will be able to use a Form 1040-A. From what you list you will need at least a Schedule A (Itemized deducitons) and a Schedule C (or C-EZ) and SE based on the 1099 ijcome.

Key thiing about using the same program as prior year is they it will pull a lot of the data forward, which can be a real help when filling in, especially to be sure you don't miss anything.

Personally I use Intuit's ProSeries, which used to to called TurboTax Professional. But I have been using this since the 1984 tax season wjhile I am now down to fewer than 20 clients.

Mike (CPA Retired)

 

[horseshowmom]

Definelty check around for discounts for turbotax. Check slickdeals.net. Even my credit union offers a small one. I've gotten 35% off in the past. I think it was from T Rowe Price or Dreyfus. I know a few years ago you could get the fidelity one from their website without having an account.

You still can. Both the Fidelity and State Farm pages have visitor links on their sites.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think you will be able to use a Form 1040-A. From what you list you will need at least a Schedule A (Itemized deducitons) and a Schedule C (or C-EZ) and SE based on the 1099 ijcome.

That's what I get for going off memory.

As far as pulling over last year's stuff, it seems I have to keep entering the same information year after year (including addresses & tax id #'s). But again, my memory may be slipping.

 

[sharon_wv]

I use Turbo Tax and have for years. I keep using it year after year and I pay the extra money for convenience sake though. It pulls all your data from previous years, has a built-in deductible software (I think it's called ItsDeductible) and everything can be done electronically. I know it costs more to file state, but I don't have to print anything, nor go to the mailbox, etc.

To be honest, I've always wanted to check out other softwares to see if they'd be better, but then the convenience always won out.

To the PP who had a calculation error that Turbo Tax didn't cover, I think that sucks!

 

[fab5friend99]

Here's a link to 35% off turbotax online from bank of america. You don't need to be a customer:

http://turbotax.intuit.com/microsit...6088&cid=em_18512_bofa_L4_M4&_requestid=40459

 

[MeekoB]

I use TurboTax as well and have been happy with everything but the ever escalating prices.

Thanks to those who have posted discounts. I'm looking to save some money on the program this year.

 

[ssawka]

We use Turbo Tax, but I always use the CD version. I just don't feel comfortable with some of the online versions. Way too much financial information stored in one place!

 

[MickeyManiac]

Last year I didn't want to pay the extra for Turbo Tax.

I had already done my return when I figured out how much it would cost to file. I know, I should have been paying closer attention. So, I decided to go ahead and run my return again on Tax Act. My numbers ended up exactly the same so I went ahead and filed with Tax Act. I plan to use them again this year. It was just as easy to use as Turbo Tax.

 

[momtosam]

Tax Act.com