DIY tax programs?

northhillsbride

Have you done (and e-filed) yourself and, if so, which program did you use? We've always used an accountant in the past, but he's getting too pricey...

kris356

I have used TurboTax for years and have been happy. 

Luckystar2

kris356 said:

I have used TurboTax for years and have been happy. 

Dh does ours using turbo tax every year. We don't have anything too complicated and it seems pretty easy to use!

kris356

I will add that are taxes are not complicated at all but it talks you through everything with a series of questions.

waltsgirl102503

DH uses Turbo Tax as well.

lala5507

We've always used turbo tax but you might want to research it this year.  The took some things off the program that you may need.  I think investments was one of the things removed.

kris356

lala5507 said:

We've always used turbo tax but you might want to research it this year.  The took some things off the program that you may need.  I think investments was one of the things removed.

I think they just changed the levels and you may have to get a more expensive program to get things that were included in lower levels previously. The website will direct you to which one is the best for your situation. 

amyjoy18

I've used Turbo Tax for at least the past 4 years.  I like that it retains all of my information from the previous year and gives me the comparison and imports applicable things in.  It did require me to upgrade this year, but with a Vanguard discount it was only $40.00 and eventually will require the state filing fee as well.  So, probably $80 total. 

One year they also let you get part of your refund back in an Amazon gift card, at a 10% discount.  I took advantage of that.

ak111

I use the H&R block program.  I have used it for about 5 years now and have liked it.  I use their basic/free version for federal and then pay for the State version.   

northhillsbride

Thank you for all of the feedback! Our taxes should be pretty easy this year, too, but I do have write-offs between my side work and home office set-up.

The only issue I see having is downloading the program to my computer - my home laptop is broken and the company laptop may not let me do it.

We're lucky as there are no State taxes to file in Texas, so that's one less thing for me to mess up!

kris356

northhillsbride said:

Thank you for all of the feedback! Our taxes should be pretty easy this year, too, but I do have write-offs between my side work and home office set-up.

The only issue I see having is downloading the program to my computer - my home laptop is broken and the company laptop may not let me do it.

We're lucky as there are no State taxes to file in Texas, so that's one less thing for me to mess up!

You can buy an actually disk at Costco, Wal-Mart, etc. Can you install it rather than download?

amyjoy18

I didn't actually have to download turbo tax.  It's web based.  I just log in and enter my info. 

valkaz

kris356 said:

I have used TurboTax for years and have been happy. 

Ditto!

valkaz

amyjoy18 said:

I didn't actually have to download turbo tax.  It's web based.  I just log in and enter my info. 

Exactly. Nothing to download.

smynings_bride

My mother recently received a deficiency notice from the IRS for 2012. She has used TT for 10+ years and has been happy with it.  My accountant looked at everything and apparently her Vanguard 1099 information did not load properly--only part of the information made it to the tax return.  I would suggest that if you are loading info from outside companies that you check it over thoroughly to make sure it all loaded into the program.  The accountant said the IRS has new software that they are running for previous years trying to find mistakes like that.

bride2003

Clare- my sister did my taxes & all of my other sister's for years with TT.  A couple of my sisters are self-employed so they had write offs which was fine to do through TT.  As someone said it asks you the questions and leads you down the path.  Another option is H&R Block but I think they take a portion of your refund?  Not sure how they are paid. 

MrsYam

We've used Turbo Tax for over 10 years now. Very simple to use, even if you have write offs, education credit, etc.