Tax Program

Do you do your taxes online? If so just wondering what a good program may be. This will be our first year filing ourselves instead of having a tax person prepare ours so am looking for ideas of what others may use.
Thanks in advance,
Candee

Well my DS is using Turbo tax. He seem to like it.

Thanks, I have been looking at the turbotax and the H&R block. Not sure if or which I may go with.

Have used several - Intuit bought Parsons (really liked Parsons), but stuck with them for over a decade - last year could not get a version for my older operating system, so used the on-line Turbo-Tax. Same product, and it was able to accept the import from the last desktop version, so went quickly. Will do the same this year.

Thanks, now do you do the e-file as well or do you print and mail?

e-file. Been doing that for a while, too. Super fast, once the return is approved.

I used both TurboTax and H&R Block last year as we had some difficult issues and I wanted to compare how they handled them. After using TurboTax for many years - I stayed with it. The instructions were easier to follow in some "difficult" areas, and their help was better, IMHO.

Thanks, I have been taking a close look at the turbotax and am liking what I see. Appreciate the comparison. Also thinking why buy a program that you have to purchase every year due to changes, just do it online and file efile.

If you can do it Efile is wonderful. I strongly recommend at least that!

I have used TaxCut for many years because it is the same program that H & R Block uses. Plus depending on the one you get, if you get audited, H & R Block will go with you to the audit and pay any fees they may charge you. I know this for a fact, I worked for H & R for 6 years.

Having said that, I bought TaxCut this year and put it in my computer and I had to call them to take it out. It totally messed up my computer. It seems that they have put the program out without all of the IRS changes and additions. They told me there are many glitches in their program right now. I don't think they are alone; I think you will run into this same problem with any of the programs out there, as all the changes don't have to be ready until January 31st. I would hold back on doing taxes until after that date. I think by law, they are supposed to have the majority of changes in effect. If you already done your taxes, you can go back and try again after the 31st, see if anything has changed and do an amended return.

I also heard that it is going to take a while to get checks out because of lack of money, so folks I wouldn't be in a rush.

:) Kathy

We use QuickBooks for the business and had to wait until after Jan 10th to allow them time to get the forms alignment correct for the pre-printed W-2's this year. But in their defense - they e-mailed us and also had an update warning on the website.

Bubba, It could've been before Jan. 10th that I bought the program, I don't remember. Perhaps they have things back in line and I can download mine again.

I have Quickbooks Pro, but I guess I never thought about the tax program. But then I do taxes for all our grown children too :)

All of the programs offer (or should) the option for audit protection - I wouldn't consider any package that doesn't. I think that's one of the things that set H&R Block's program and TurboTax apart from the rest early on. I read somewhere (if you find my memory, send it on home, would you please???) that all the programs were going to have troubles this year due to the tax stuff that Congress did in December. I've not even bothered to install mine yet (I've not made the leap to trusting my tax info to someone else's hard drive via the internet), figured I'd wait until mid-February to give the programmers time to figure it all out.

I used to work for a tax software company - ran their training dept., and was asst. supervisor of support during tax season. Our process was to finish the Federal programs first, while the individual State departments were working on their programs. The States need the Fed. program so they can upload the correct AGI and other info - without a good Fed program the States have to wait. If you're downloading a State I would recommend waiting to do that a bit until the Fed program has been correctly released.

We have been using QB-Pro since 1995 - still have a few gripes with it, but easier and better than the competition - and MUCH cheaper. Just hate to upgrade - work with our CPA to stay in sync with his versions, so usually get 2-3 years between upgrades. Exception is the Payroll updates and service - every year to keep the subscription current.

I don't use it for personal tax return - just the business account.

I love my Quickbooks Pro for everything else. But I have been using TaxCut since before I got QBP...I love it how I can just transfer the info from last year right into this year's program. That's why I'm hesitant going to another program. Absolutely, don't do your state yet. I think I will wait until Feb. to try this program again in my computer. You are so right dryad57. People are impatient for their money though. I always tell people if you are getting a refund then you are paying too much to Uncle Sam. You need to rethink because basically you're giving them your money interest free. If you are close to zero either a refund or having to pay in, then you've got your formula right. So many people would pay an extra $10/$20/$30 week so that they could get a refund. I say, take that money and put it into a savings account at the very least and get a little interest on it. Yes, you'll have to pay taxes on the darn interest, but you'll still get some return on your investment and won't be putting it somewhere else interest free! Okay, I'm off my soapbox now....;)

I have used Turbo Tax for about 15 years and like it, although I never tried a different one. I use Quicken to keep the books and it transfers easily with TT. I agree with putting the money in savings account and not Uncle Sam's pocket. : )

I'm with you MM - I never object to writing a check to IRS in April - LOL.

I efiled my taxes last year, got my refund, and then a nasty letter 6 months later telling me there is a form you still have to mail in. Duh ? How was I suppose to know ? This year I'll know better.

What form did you have to send? Was it something to do with the signature?
I have been reading and see that you can provide info about the 2006 filing so you can efile without sending in any signature paperwork? I haven't read on turbotax anything about sending in paperwork unless you chose to print and mail your returns?
Please elaborate bb if you can.

The IRS send the form with the nasty letter. I went short form and if I'm remembering correctly it asked for the same info as what's on your W-2, along with your signature. The letter stated that if I didn't return the form within 30 days I would not be eligible to efile again.
I haven't done this year's taxes yet, I'm still waiting for my w-2. I will find more info out then and will let you know what form it is.

I'm in no rush this year - what with congress still deciding what do do.

There will be some additional changes to all of the tax software, and I don't want to file an amended return.

Perhaps when I am ready to file, I will do the forms online and then just print them and send with my signature and w-2's as usual - and a check if necessary!

Turbo Tax, I've used them since Parson's was putting it out. So easy to use for basic taxes. Never had a problem with them and refund always is direct deposited quickly.

TurboTax all the way! Never tried anything different, so I can't say much. For years when I had a couple of really strange circumstances I didn't know how to handle I used a CPA. But for straightforward-nothing special taxes, TT is really good.

Sanna