Where is my Federal Income Tax Form Booklet?

[rtimgray]

The cost is what stood in my way for many years. My returns are relatively simple (just a regular job, farm, and kids to deal with), so I didn't like the idea of paying for something that was relatively easy.

I gave it a try a few years ago when we got a promo code from our 401(k) adminstrator to try Turbo Tax at a greatly reduced rate - the first year I did it, I got all my federal stuff for free and only paid $15 to file state (and I didn't have to file state online, I could have printed it and mailed it, but I thought "What the heck".) Long story short, I liked the simplicity of doing it online, and continued for a couple of years, until last year I no longer had a promo code and Turbotax changed their fee schedule for which editions supported a schedule F, 4136, and 4562. It ended up costing me about $80. I did that last year because I was almost done with all of my stuff before I realized I had to upgrade, and I didn't feel like starting over with another program. However, I was determined to not repeat that.

This year, I tried a couple different programs - TaxAct and TaxSlayer, and ended up using TaxSlayer. I think I was out $27 for it, and I'm happy. Yes, it costs more than doing it on paper, but I guess I'll spoil myself from time to time.

To JD - I guess I can try a hydro, and I'll try to like it. I have a bad track record with these things. For years and years, I didn't want to have an AR-15 (or clone), mostly because everybody else I know has one, and I didn't want to be a bandwagoner. Well, last fall I broke down and bought one. I wanted to hate it. Turns out I love it. Now, I'm spending more money with all the doo-dads and add-ons. I am a bandwagoner now.

Good luck and take care.

 

[dmccarty]

I use the online services because it is faster, easier, simpler, and less error prone. The cost of the software is worth it to me. I sat down last week and got our taxes done really quickly. My W2 was online and was pulled into the form as was data from the previous years. When I was done, the software shows this year and last years numbers which makes it pretty easy to check for obvious errors. Our taxes have been pretty simple the last few years but it is worth the cost to save the time.

Later,
Dan

 

[JDgreen227]

The concept I don't like is paying $20 to file electronically when $.50 cents for a stamp works just as well.

Actually it is usually 49 cents......

 

[rekees4300]

Actually it is usually 49 cents......

Okay thanks for the update. I just guessed since haven't bought any stamps for years. Regarding filing electronically another negative occurred to me this past week when TurboTax shutdown states filings for a day due to fraud. Apparently when you e-file, the return is actually sent to TurboTax who then sends it to the Feds and the state. In light of the recent hack of Anthem and many other big companies in the past, is it really a good idea to give TurboTax your personal data? What do they do with it? Do they store it? Do they sell it? Do they have proper security in place? Are they hack proof? Who knows! By filing using snail mail TurboTax gets none of your data. If they don't have the data then it's impossible for them to lose it or use it.

 

[JDgreen227]

Okay thanks for the update. I just guessed since haven't bought any stamps for years. Regarding filing electronically another negative occurred to me this past week when TurboTax shutdown states filings for a day due to fraud. Apparently when you e-file, the return is actually sent to TurboTax who then sends it to the Feds and the state. In light of the recent hack of Anthem and many other big companies in the past, is it really a good idea to give TurboTax your personal data? What do they do with it? Do they store it? Do they sell it? Do they have proper security in place? Are they hack proof? Who knows! By filing using snail mail TurboTax gets none of your data. If they don't have the data then it's impossible for them to lose it or use it.

WELL STATED and thank you for your input!!! :thumbsup: I have long felt that the less information you put online the better off you are in the long run!!!!