Online tax programs

[smokingun]

I'm finally getting around to filing my tax return and was looking at the online services, found one called TaxACT Online. It's a free program with free E-file.

It looks legit but sounds to good to be true.
What works for You? I file a 1040 with pretty much standard deductions. When I take them to someone they just fill in the blanks with their program, I figure I can do this myself and save some $$$$.

Has anyone here used this program?

 

[jmatkins]

I use Turbo Tax online, it was $84 to get the delux version and file. I use to pay more than that so I am ok with it.

 

[Clinton]

If your return is straightforward, any free online program will work just fine. I use TaxCut simply because I've done so for the last 16 years and it's familiar.

 

[timothyjohncarney]

I used http://www.esmarttax.com/ and it was free and very easy. It let me fill out and review my Ohio return and then I just entered the info on Ohio's free efile site, so I paid nothing to file Federal and State this year.

 

[TexaSmoke]

I'm using TaxAct this year. If it is a standard return you will be fine.

 

[dpricenator]

when you guys say standard return. I don't have any crazy investments or properties. 2 kids several w-2's and 1099's, and a small business. Can I use one of these fairly easily? remember who your talking to when answering. and be gentle.

 

[TexaSmoke]

Not sure if the small business will fall under standard. But you can purchase the software that would cover this for pretty cheap. But other than that part, you are pretty standard.

 

[dpricenator]

right on, the smalll business is really small and will be claiming an agressive loss this year. I hope I can figure this ish out before i got to jail

 

[TexaSmoke]

Plus I don't think States are covered under the TaxAct software and since you live in the People's Republic of California you probably have you file a State Income Tax Form.

Us here in Texas don't pay State Income Tax. :grinFU: But our Property Taxes are a Bitch. :angeryell

 

[Saully]

right on, the smalll business is really small and will be claiming an agressive loss this year. I hope I can figure this ish out before i got to jail

JAIL??? I've used TurboTax for about 15 years and it works real well for me. Includes small business, 1099's, etc. For many years I did the state return manually since it was based on the fed, but finally gave up because I was routinely getting error notices from the state.

I've never used online but always bought the disc. If you qualify for the free online you ought to check it out -- and it sounds like you'd save $$ for little work.

 

[smokingun]

With TaxACT they charge $13.95 for the state return E-filed.

I think I will give it a try, figure I can finish a soduku puzzle so this can't be that hard......

Thanks for the info

Frank

 

[coyote_5]

I used taxact for serveral years, both federal and state, and was very pleased with the results. At that time I was single and not a homeowner, so my returns were quite simple fyi. Not that either of those make it that much more complicated I guess...

 

[bbressler]

I too use TAXACT. It's very easy. Too good to be true? They try to sell you an upgrade at almost every turn (that's how they're making money). The upgrade basically lets you import last years information so you don't have to enter things like name, SSN, address, etc. Plus, you can compare this years return to last years to make sure you didn't make a huge error.....I'm sure there's lots more, but that's what I remember. I've been using it for 4 or 5 years now, and I can do my taxes in about 15 minutes. (Federal only, no itemization)

 

[RedPhoenix]

TaxACT is a good one, I have used it for the past two years.