Why NOT Turbo Tax?

[DisneyBill]

, and it installs crapware on your system.

Will you expand on that statement please?

 

[dizluvah]

I just asked my husband which version he uses and he just uses the basic - says we do pay for state tax filling, but the Deluxe and Premiere are very expensive so you are still paying in the long run for state filling - I'm not sure personally the difference (I don't do the filling LOL).

I just wanted to chime in that we bought Turbo Tax deluxe (which includes state and efile) for $29 online at sam's club...so not very expensive if you shop around.

 

[msmayor]

With TaxAct, you do everything online. Federal and State filing cost me a grand total of about $20.

TurboTax is overpriced, and it installs crapware on your system.

Not a fan of doing it all 'on-line'. I don't want anyone storing my tax return except me and the IRS once its transmitted.

I don't even save the return on my computer directly. I have an external hard drive that only gets connected when I'm working on the tax return, so that if something manages to hack through my firewall my information isn't there to get in to.

As I said, to each his own. I only paid about $45 for the Premier version of Turbo Tax as we have a lot of investment activity. Its worth it to me to pay the extra, but I realize not worth it to others.

 

[North of Mouse]

Not a fan of doing it all 'on-line'. I don't want anyone storing my tax return except me and the IRS once its transmitted.

I don't even save the return on my computer directly. I have an external hard drive that only gets connected when I'm working on the tax return, so that if something manages to hack through my firewall my information isn't there to get in to.

I used to feel the same way until my DH reminded me that what we did was not the big issue. Do you use credit cards, debit cards, pay anything online, use a bank, etc. - get my meaning? It's ALL out there, and we just have to be as careful as possible and hope we are never targeted. Even the government with all our personal info gets hacked into sometimes, social security, etc. Your info is our there whether you realize it or not, even our medical. I agree it's scary, but "them theres" facts !

 

[momof1princess]

i used turbo tax for several years with no issues, but switched to tax act last year, and love it. it is MUCH less expensive than turbo tax. i spent $15.00 to file my state taxes this year through tax act-federal return was free. the last time i used turbo tax, it cost me $50.00.

our return is very simple: a couple of w-2s, mortgage interest statement, bank interest statement, and property tax statement. if our return was more complicated, say, if we owned a business or were self-employed, i'd definitely use an accountant.

 

[robsmom]

The individual state program costs $40, but if you purchase the Deluxe or Premiere download/CD the state program is free. Yes, you have to pay to file with the state (I think its $20 for NJ) but if you have a lot of entries for your return its just easier and quicker to enter it once through Turbo Tax.

To each his own though.

I also use the deluxe version and agree that it is easier to enter everything once. I have two states so I do the non-residential state using their on-line filing and my home state with deluxe. To avoid the filing fee, I file the old fashion way - print it and mail. Since I always get money from the non-residential state and pay my home state, it works out well.

 

[3happydancers]

The individual state program costs $40, but if you purchase the Deluxe or Premiere download/CD the state program is free. Yes, you have to pay to file with the state (I think its $20 for NJ) but if you have a lot of entries for your return its just easier and quicker to enter it once through Turbo Tax.

To each his own though.

I think you are right on this. I purchased the Deluxe and it came with Federal/State and E-File all for a total of 39.99 plus tx.

 

[3happydancers]

My husband had done our taxes with Turbo Tax for years and loves it. He just told me that it checks everything you do before it will let you e-file, so it's nearly fool proof for him. It asks you questions and makes sure you remember to put down things you might forget on your own. After it's sent in it's also checked again before you get the notice that all is well and your returns are on the way. We do pay extra to e-file, but returns are so quick and easy, it's worth it to us. So, to answer your question, no, for us there is no reason NOT to use Turbo Tax He says after you use it once, it seems easier

It is comforting to know others use Turbo Tax and Tax Act with ease. I guess doing it the first time is just a bit stressful for me. We have basic, straight forward deductions;mortgage interest, child credit etc. We itemized for a few work related deductions but nothing out of the ordinary. I am starting to feel safe. Thanks!!!

I am an accountant. From what I have seen, TurboTax and similar software works just fine if you have a basic return, i.e. w-2, interest and dividend income, itemized deductions, education, etc. The problem comes in if you have a business or if you have something new or different and you don't really understand how to report it or even know you have to report it. I get a lot of clients after they've received a tax notice because the left something off that they didn't realize they were supposed to report.

This is probably my biggest concern. Things change from year to year and I am not up on this stuff. The last thing I need is to pay for someone to fix my errors due to ignorance. Then I am back to square one; I saved nothing.

With TaxAct, you do everything online. Federal and State filing cost me a grand total of about $20.

This was cheaper than I paid but still, 39.99 I thought was at least a fair price considering I paid $200.00 last year (which did provide me with peace of mind.) I will definitely check this program out between this year and next year. We are still on the fence as to whether or not to let our accountant take care of our taxes. You all on the boards seem very confident-I wish I could feel that way

TurboTax is overpriced, and it installs crapware on your system.

I am sorry you feel this way, but many others have reported not having this issue. Are you sure it's from Turbo Tax?

We do Turbo Tax online-- You really don't need to buy the software to use Turbo Tax-- they have a great online version. It DOES compare our previous year's returns to this year's. It also saves all our information-- employer id codes, my kids SSNs (which I would have to go did out of a drawer somewhere), even our Church's name and address for charity deductions. We've used it for 4 or 5 years now, and it make it super easy for us . Not sure if the software version saves all of your info or not, but the online version definitely does. --Katie

I did see this online but was afraid to attempt putting all the information in while on line. But like another post said, all your info is already out there! As you can see, I am not very brave.

I'm not sure about the ease of use, but my husband is a tax accountant and CPA and uses this software for our personal returns. And has for years.

Wow, this is a plus to know!!! If he has faith in the program and you have not had any problems, along with many others who feel this way, I should be ok. I'll let you all know what we decide.

Thank you all for a great variety of input and advise. The boards, once again, has proven to be a valuable source of information and wonderful people

Thanks Guys!!!!!

 

[Fire14]

I buy And use Turbo Tax for years. I buy Deluxe version but am sure i could use basic. I file fed free and would have to pay state 15.95 to efile THRU TT but I just print or now just use state website to do efile for free