Whichever package you buy/download the key is that the company/vendor stay current with the tax law changes because no matter whose name is on the software, it's your signature on the tax return. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
i've been using turbotax for @8 years now; this year, after a few folks who use cpa's kept telling me i was losing money, i found a cpa that will go over what i did, and tell me if i am messin up..all for free, if i'm willing to wait till they have time..which i am..it is amasing how so many folks think they are saving money, when they have a lot of deductions..
heehaw
International 1066 Full sized JCB Loader/Backhoe and a John Deere 430 to mow with
Devildog,
Years ago, we had our brokerage office in same suite as some CPA's and accountants that did tax preparation. They simply had the individuals bring in all of their informaiton and then they plugged everything into Turbotax themselves (accountants), spewed out the results and gave the return back to the owner along with the bill for preparation.
Kubota /L2650/ LA450/B4690 -- John Deere 450 Dozer
PitBull and beenthere..... Oh yes I have been there... Loved Parson's, tolarate Turbo Tax.... Parson's was easier to use and much more straight forward....
The only time I have ever used an accountants was when I got married that year and my wife and I had some very complex property issuses... That reinforced that most accountants know the standard stuff or just their speciality... I had been running a small side bussiness for years and had to hand take them through it... I had all my numbers there for them, once they started thinking they would say things like "Oh did you know that you can take that off". I would tell them to check page two.... In short I had to point out several things and then explain why I was allowed to take that off. And I mean I had to explain why because they would say I could not claim it. The only thing I could say was I sure hope they understood property a whole lot better that the did small business.
As you pointed out the hardest part for most is getting the proper information ready... I have bitched to other about doing my Aunt and Dad's taxes and the number of hours I have to put in.... They asked why don't you take it two an accountant. I am going to spend twenty hours seaching through all their paper work, get it together to take to an accountant and then get caharged $300-500 for them to fill out the forms...... I DO NOT THINK SO.
OMG/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Richard does that mean I can be a CPA and just do tax returns once I get the software/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Man I couldnt do something like that/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif
heehaw,
That sounds like a fair deal I think, They are waiting for things to slow down so they came rake it over the coals/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif They dont want some computer program beating them out.
The Wifey told me to wait till tax season is over to buy the program. She remembers last year that staples had at 50% off.
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Take care all, Jim
Yes - you will save some money. However, what is the use of having a package for last years taxes. Next year you'll need to buy a new package. Just the way it works.... /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
I've used TaxAct for the past 3 years. It works extremely well. If you print your return out & mail it, it is FREE /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
If you e-FILE, you have to upgrade. I think the full program to e-file & do you state at the same time is around $20 total. TaxAct works GREAT for me.
Well heck Terry thats not good. How about if im like shade2u2 can you just get the updates and just mail them rather than e-file. We usually dont get much of a return and we are the people who mail theres in on the 15/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif We kinda like to use our money during the year.
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Take care all, Jim
You do have to purchase (upgrade) every year (unless you use the wonderful free TaxAct - then just do free upgrade), but you don't have to fill in (type in) all you details again - which makes it quick & easy. The program will do year to year comparisons & give you suggestions also. The cost of the program is also tax deductible /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif every year. This year it took me less than an hour to complete - then I e-filed - had deposit of refund into my checking 8 days later /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
I used Turbotax for Home and Business this year . . . first time I've used a tax preparation software. It was pretty straightforward and helped me set up all of my business stuff as well. I would recommend it highly compared to the paper forms route. At $59, it is definitely cheaper than an CPA.