Tax Prep Software
Jan 15, 2017 17:04:48 #
I had been using TurboTax for years, but last year they had a problem with certain state returns, and I didn't want to take a chance. Of course, their pricing was quite high. Then I did some comparisons, and H&R Block looked good, so I used that.
I remember when TT was cheap, and I paid a little more for the state. Now there are charges all over the place, but H&R is still less expensive, and I have the info from last year, so it will transfer over. Although theoretically, tax prep costs are deductible, they have to be higher than a certain percentage of your income. Unless you make very little and pay a lot for tax prep, there is no deduction for the tax preparation expense.
I know you can't avoid death and taxes, but I'm doing okay with half of that.
I remember when TT was cheap, and I paid a little more for the state. Now there are charges all over the place, but H&R is still less expensive, and I have the info from last year, so it will transfer over. Although theoretically, tax prep costs are deductible, they have to be higher than a certain percentage of your income. Unless you make very little and pay a lot for tax prep, there is no deduction for the tax preparation expense.
I know you can't avoid death and taxes, but I'm doing okay with half of that.
Jan 15, 2017 17:29:27 #
Like you, I've been using TT for years, but I now find that I have to use Premium edition (at a premium price), really get rooked on the price of state return, which is almost as costly as the Federal, and now I have to use it, which is a 5 minute offshoot from the federal.
Having said that, I'm not convinced that any of the alternatives are any better, and there is a value to the carry-over from previous year. Does anyone have a better idea?
Having said that, I'm not convinced that any of the alternatives are any better, and there is a value to the carry-over from previous year. Does anyone have a better idea?
Jan 15, 2017 17:54:11 #
appealnow
Loc: Dallas, Texas
I agree TurboTax has always seemed expensive, but since I am familiar with TurboTax Home and Business, I stick with it. In Texas, so I don't have to worry about a state return because we don't have a state income tax.
Jan 15, 2017 19:20:06 #
I used TaxAct online until we moved to Ohio 4 years ago & ran into local income taxes administered by RITA (Regional Income Tax Authority). I work in a city that only has the company withhold 1.5% and live in a city that charges 2.5%. There's no way to have them withhold more to cover the 1% difference. So every year I have to write a check to Columbus. It looks like this year I can finally file my local taxes online. We've had a bookkeeper do them to avoid problems.
Jan 16, 2017 06:30:41 #
hj
Loc: Florida
I've used TaxAct online also, for 4-5 years - free and never had a problem. This year I will go to a CPA simply because I did a house flip with additioal income and hope he has some money saving advice. Otherwise I think TaxAct online is great.
Jan 16, 2017 07:42:38 #
I've been using Turbo Tax for several years, it was called Eagle Software before Turbo Tax. I get it at Costco because its $10 cheaper.
Jan 16, 2017 08:10:54 #
Been using TaxCut for more years than I can remember. Have had a problem in only 1 year and that had to do with how the pgm. accounted for my estimated tax payments. Learned the lesson and how to avoid the issue - no problems since.
Jan 16, 2017 08:37:02 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I had been using TurboTax for years, but last year... (show quote)
I switched to H&R several years ago, at one point I proved TT wrong and got my purchase price back that year, after a couple of more poroblems I switched, and I have a very easy return, I may go back to doing it by hand this year except for the e-file, I've gotten so lazy, Bob.
Jan 16, 2017 09:09:48 #
bobmcculloch wrote:
I switched to H&R several years ago, at one point I proved TT wrong and got my purchase price back that year, after a couple of more poroblems I switched, and I have a very easy return, I may go back to doing it by hand this year except for the e-file, I've gotten so lazy, Bob.
I can't imagine going back to filling out the forms on paper.
Jan 16, 2017 09:29:50 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I had been using TurboTax for years, but last year... (show quote)
I have a relatively complex return.
I tried a couple of places like H&R Block and got burned. I tried a CPA service and got burned. I got audited with both these and there were several errors in my returns that cost me dearly.
I have been using TT for the last 9 years or so very successfully, survived 2 audits with no errors.
The only error I have had is the local and they sent me a check for couple of bucks I overpaid and TT was not involved.
Jan 16, 2017 09:41:59 #
Canadians can avoid spending money for commercial products by using one of the free or low-cost products available. Online software is listed on the Canada Revenue Agency website. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/ndvdls/netfile-impotnet/crtfdsftwr/menu-eng.html
Jan 16, 2017 09:53:54 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I had been using TurboTax for years, but last year... (show quote)
TT deluxe with one state is $49 at Costco.....,,not very expensive, and works GREAT.
Jan 16, 2017 10:08:06 #
H&R's latest commercial says you can "drag and drop" your last year's Turbo Tax so that it will be reformatted to Block. How much is Block???
Jan 16, 2017 10:10:42 #
foathog wrote:
H&R's latest commercial says you can "drag and drop" your last year's Turbo Tax so that it will be reformatted to Block. How much is Block???
Don't know but they burned me.
Jan 16, 2017 10:39:21 #
JimBart
Loc: Western Michigan
I used to use TurboTax but when I rolled over IRA's and ran the calculation manually and saved myself several hundred I switched. I use Tax Act and have had no problems and still run the the manual calculations I might add I am currently retired but was a former tax auditor
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