I have used Turbo Tax software for a number of years now and would be interested in what others are using and what you would recommend. My taxes are pretty straight forward, so the software vs a tax professional works well for my household. HR Block, Tax Slayer and TT seem to be the main players, but maybe other software might warrant consideration for 2019?
Preferred Tax Software
- Thread starter tplumm
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I've used TaxAct.com for years but I got tired of huge price increases so last year I tried FreeTaxUSA.com, which sounds totally scammy but is legitimate. It's not actually free but is only somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-15 for federal and state together.
But it's fairly bare-bones in terms of help/advice compared to some other sites so be sure you know what you're doing. If you're familiar with the process and your taxes are simple, you should be fine.
(And something to put a pin in for future tax seasons...sounds like the IRS may create its own tax filing software to compete with TurboTax and H&R Block after some of the reporting this year about how they've hidden their free-filing options for lower-income filers.)
But it's fairly bare-bones in terms of help/advice compared to some other sites so be sure you know what you're doing. If you're familiar with the process and your taxes are simple, you should be fine.
(And something to put a pin in for future tax seasons...sounds like the IRS may create its own tax filing software to compete with TurboTax and H&R Block after some of the reporting this year about how they've hidden their free-filing options for lower-income filers.)
I just write down random numbers. Get that sucker done quick. Claim the nephews and nieces also, some years I get money back.
I recommend TaxAct for people doing it themselves.
What do they do well? Good value?
Kind of in the same boat as the OP. Using TurboTax, but wanting to keep options open. And recently reading about Intuit’s lobbying practices didn’t help.
I used Taxact for a long time. Switched to Turbo Tax last year. Did taxes on taxact, H&R Block also last year and found Turbo Tax though more expensive got me a better return. I don't remember what made me want to switch from Taxact exactly. There was something confusing about it that made me try others.
There is no way any software will change the outcome of a properly completed 1040. I am an IRS recognized tax professional and am willing to defend that statement.
The only thing that changes the outcome is incorrectly entered data. The software doesn't "decide" a damn thing. GIGO lives.
With the new tax laws I can't file a schedule A.
Might go old school and fill it out manually. There's really nothing complex
Otherwise.....Turbo
I knowingly overpay for Turbo Tax. But I've been doing so for over 10 years now, so it makes it handy. We have some simple LLC stuff to manage too. Not sure if other options have that feature? I'm sure they do. Again, just lazy.
I self justify by having people with accountants tell me about their $350 tax preparation fee.
I self justify by having people with accountants tell me about their $350 tax preparation fee.
I used to be an IRS tax preparer and will push back a bit on your statement.
The quality of how the software asks questions, prompts the tax payer to consider situations, and provides extra assistance to more complex issues, can (and I'd argue will) change how people might enter items or whether they may miss things...or misunderstand things.
FWIW....I"m a big Turbotax fan. Definitely not the cheapest, but I've been pleased with it and have used it probably for 20 yrs or so.
Either you know what you are doing or are just throwing sh!t against the wall and seeing what sticks.
Ignorance is not a viable defense strategy.
I don't disagree with what you are saying....just not understanding why you quoted me since you didn't address any the of the points I made.
I've been using TurboTax for years and I don't plan on switching anytime soon. It's a little pricey, but easy to use and I'm happy with the results. Also like that it imports the previous year's information.
I've only paid to have my taxes done once, and that was when I moved to Michigan and had to worry about how to split taxes between Iowa and Michigan. If I knew then how easily TurboTax handled it I never would have shelled out the money to have someone do it for me.
I've only paid to have my taxes done once, and that was when I moved to Michigan and had to worry about how to split taxes between Iowa and Michigan. If I knew then how easily TurboTax handled it I never would have shelled out the money to have someone do it for me.
I've been a long-time TurboTax guy but I worked as a CPA for years so
I've been TurboTax for years for same reasons... Plus Costco is pretty cheap and I worked as a CPA for years and know my way around most taxable entities...
I've been TurboTax for years for same reasons... Plus Costco is pretty cheap and I worked as a CPA for years and know my way around most taxable entities...
[QUOTE="Trice, post: 6970968, member: 9763"]I've used TaxAct.com for years but I got tired of huge price increases so last year I tried FreeTaxUSA.com, which sounds totally scammy but is legitimate. It's not actually free but is only somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-15 for federal and state together.
But it's fairly bare-bones in terms of help/advice compared to some other sites so be sure you know what you're doing. If you're familiar with the process and your taxes are simple, you should be fine.
(And something to put a pin in for future tax seasons...sounds like the IRS may create its own tax filing software to compete with TurboTax and H&R Block after some of the reporting this year about how they've hidden their free-filing options for lower-income filers.)[/QUOTE]
I am still using TaxACT, but the price increases over the last few years have been pretty insane. They used to be a great deal, not sure if they are much less than TurboTax anymore. I have to do a partnership return along with a fairly complicated personal return, so it is pretty hard to walk away from a software that can import a lot of data from the prior year.
But it's fairly bare-bones in terms of help/advice compared to some other sites so be sure you know what you're doing. If you're familiar with the process and your taxes are simple, you should be fine.
(And something to put a pin in for future tax seasons...sounds like the IRS may create its own tax filing software to compete with TurboTax and H&R Block after some of the reporting this year about how they've hidden their free-filing options for lower-income filers.)[/QUOTE]
I am still using TaxACT, but the price increases over the last few years have been pretty insane. They used to be a great deal, not sure if they are much less than TurboTax anymore. I have to do a partnership return along with a fairly complicated personal return, so it is pretty hard to walk away from a software that can import a lot of data from the prior year.
You are assigning blame to the software for being difficult to understand. Software doesn't think, the operator does. It is not the fault of the software for decisions made upon data input.
We use, in our practice, software that has an annual license fee in five figures. I have yet to come across a situation that cannot be correctly filed. It sometimes takes knowing tax law and appropriate application of the law. I am responsible for that.
I don't doubt that a "properly completed 1040" will turn out the same. So it would seem they don't all properly complete it then. Because I entered what they asked for accurately. They definitely don't handle how you input things the same especially investment data and deductions. I'm not an expert that's why I use software. They sure do like to advertise that they do better then others.
If you are hoping software can help determine such things as short-term/long-term capital gains and you don't understand your brokerages 1099, good effing luck.
The Schedule A became pretty irrelevant. The SALT limitations and increase in the standard deduction dictated such.
Any questions?
One thing I hate is being bothered. Tax time is a perfect example of being bothered. I don't want to fill out paperwork, I don't want to sign up for things on the internet, I don't what to do anything that taxes my patience. I want to sign something and be done with it. So I get the professionals to do my taxes, even though they are pretty straightforward and it costs an arm and a leg to go that route. I'd rather pay than be bothered.
