tax software deals

[CPA]

Originally posted by: timswim78
TAXACT.com
Doing your 1040 is free, but you have to pay if you want to e-file. I prefer to print out my forms and mail them in.
I think that the state add on is about $10.

Recommended by this CPA.

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: timswim78
TAXACT.com
Doing your 1040 is free, but you have to pay if you want to e-file. I prefer to print out my forms and mail them in.
I think that the state add on is about $10.

Recommended by this CPA.

so is it good for us non-cpa types? the one complaint i have seen is that it's better if you are somewhat tax savy. i think i am but of course this could mean many things to many people...

 

[android]

I used Turbutax for many years, then switched to Taxcut for several years due to the Cdilla fiasco, and then switched back last year. A couple of observations:

1. Both are fine.
2. Taxcut had some annoying crashes and bugs, esp. in the CA state version. These were unfixable, and required tedious workarounds.
3. Turbotax might be a little more obvious to use.
4. I really like the PDF publishing ability of Turbotax. This lets you print a complete copy of all your tax documents to a PDF file for achival storage. Also, you can email it to any computer for printing.
5. Intuit learned from the Cdilla mistake, and fixed it.
6. Turbo tax is more expensive, usually.
7. Switching programs is a hassle as they don't pick up last years return info.

Conclusion: If you have been happy using one, stay with it. If you haven't used either, use Turbotax. If you are really cheap, use Taxcut or Taxact.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Just as an FYI to everyone in case you're interested, your bank may provide an online TurboTax feature. I have BB&T (dunno if that's only out here in the east ) and they have an online TurboTax interface. I've used it two years running now. I think I used 1040EZ Fed & State or something, IIRC it ran about $30-$35 for both after all was said & done. But it stores info online for u to continue and you have access to a "vault" @ TurboTax where you can securely store PDF's of your returns in case you lose your own copy. Not a bad deal IMO

 

[onecorgilover]

I've used tax act for the past four years and I love it! Keeping in mind that I've never used any other tax prep software...the things that I like most about it is the price. It's free! If you want to e-file it's 7.95 to do so. Or you can order their ultimate bundle for 19.95 which includes the federal and state forms with free federal e-file.

You can easily track your refund or tax obligation by inputting your info and periodically checking the dialog box at the top of each page which continually calculates as you key in data.

Also, it retains all of your data from the previous year....so I simply update my account with one click then add all of my current tax info which makes the process so much easier and quicker.

They also include expert help from J.K. Lasser's Income Tax Guide. If you get to a section where you simply don't understand the tax jargon...you can click on a button to get a full explanation of what it means.

Oh, after e-filing...it has never taken more than ten days for my refund to be deposited into my bank account.

 

[mboy]

Yup, another vote for tax act here. Been using it for a few years (never used any other). I get the 19.95 bundle and it is another 7 or so to e-file state.

Always get returns (because me and the wife claim 0 exepmtions) and have the refunds direct deposited by 1st week of march the latest (we do them erly-mid feb).

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: timswim78
TAXACT.com
Doing your 1040 is free, but you have to pay if you want to e-file. I prefer to print out my forms and mail them in.
I think that the state add on is about $10.

Recommended by this CPA.

so is it good for us non-cpa types? the one complaint i have seen is that it's better if you are somewhat tax savy. i think i am but of course this could mean many things to many people...

It is very non-cpa friendly.

 

[new2va]

I have a long memory and wil never forgive them (Turbotax)! I like Taxcut.

 

[Z80]

Turbo tax never coughed up my rebate for filing electronically last year and they keep sending me all this damn spam! I think I'll give Taxcut a try this year. Will it be able to import my Turbotax data from last year? Thanks

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Z80
Turbo tax never coughed up my rebate for filing electronically last year and they keep sending me all this damn spam! I think I'll give Taxcut a try this year. Will it be able to import my Turbotax data from last year? Thanks

TaxCut was able to pull in TurboTax datafiles from the previous year (2001) with no problems when I switch to them (C-dilla).

Anyone know how TaxAct handles the need for multiple states?
With TurboTax and TaxCut, I had to wipe (not uninstall) my OS and restore from a point before I installed a state version, or do a different state on a different system.

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: Z80
Turbo tax never coughed up my rebate for filing electronically last year and they keep sending me all this damn spam! I think I'll give Taxcut a try this year. Will it be able to import my Turbotax data from last year? Thanks

TaxCut was able to pull in TurboTax datafiles from the previous year (2001) with no problems when I switch to them (C-dilla).

Anyone know how TaxAct handles the need for multiple states?
With TurboTax and TaxCut, I had to wipe (not uninstall) my OS and restore from a point before I installed a state version, or due a different state on a different system.

I am fairly certain you will not have that problem with TaxAct.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: kuangs168
which is easier to understand, i hate reading the long complex instructions

I use turbo TRax and have since 2001. I find it VERY easy to use.

With either package though, I highly recoemnd doing a "dry run" first to see how it works. Then do your taxes a second time and it will definitely be correct and go very smoothly. Now that I'm used to it though, I go through it very quickly.

Karl

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Also, start doing a checklist now of things you need.

Exampel:
1) student loan info
2) your income info (1 job this year)
3) spouse income info (2 jobs this year)
4) child credit
5) mortgage info
6) checking/savings data
7) stock sales
8) options trading information
9) charitable donation info
10) Roth-IRA donation info
11) investment research costs.
etc...

the list can get big firly quickly, so try to start now and be thorough.

I have to start tracking 11 better. You can deduct milage and money spent making copies out of Vlaue Line. Adds up over the course of a year.

7 and 8 can be a pain in the butt. 8 more so.

 

[DrPizza]

Add this to the list:
There are at least half a dozen financial companies who have similar software running on their servers for FREE... all you have to do is ignore a couple ads advertising their financial services.

Unless you make money on a rebate, free is the cheapest way to go. I've done my returns that way for half a dozen years now.

 

[forcemac101]

Turbo Tax has an online version, I think it is free...but I don't know about the e-file.

Its a basic 1040 too, I don't think you can Itemize, but we will see soon enough I gueess..

Linkage

 

[mboy]

TaxAct has an online version for free as well, but for 25 some odd $$$, you get the electronic filing of Fed and state tax to boot.
If you do it early enough (Feb. or so), it takes 2-3 weeks to get your return direct deposited).

 

[msi1337]

I used Tax Cut last year and found it much more difficult to use than Turbotax. I will be switching back to Turbotax this year, regardless of what unknown software gets loaded on my computer. I do a format and re-instal every 3 months anyways.

Tax Cut proved to be a pain in the @ss compared to the user friendly Turbotax

 

[Leejai]

has anyone compared quicken to microsoft money?...or are they both relatively the same...no matter which i go with, i'm going to pay a little more to get the better version of either, but wondering if anyone uses them and their feedback

 

[rangerone]

Be forwarned.. Tax Cut has problems with the new tax law that handles Sales tax deductions!! Their tech support folks don't have a clue what is going on, and has been telling folks to override the default calculation, which per the documentation will NOT allow you to e-file..

I for one am removing TAX CUT of my machine and going with the online version of taxact.. If you look around for a bit, there is a link on the IRS's website to get free e-filing with certain online tax software..

'nuff said..