I decided to try TaxAct this year, rather than go through the TT thing again.
Wouldn’t it also be the types of deductions, or the magnitude of deductions relative to income or other parts of the return, that could affect audit risk?
bus - I understand your pain. I don’t like dealing with the paperwork either. But I’m usually anxious to do my taxes quickly so that the “tax drawer” (a pull-out bin in my pantry) has the least overlap of papers from prior year.
However I can say I am happy to no longer have the pressure to fo quick turn around on FAFSA / CSS Profile paperwork. Hated that.
Of course, there is no harm in being ready to file by April 15 or earlier. Having done the calculation early means that you have the option of choosing when to file. Delaying calculating the tax return means that you commit to late filing without knowing whether or not that may be advantageous.
“Of course, there is no harm in being ready to file by April 15 or earlier. Having done the calculation early means that you have the option of choosing when to file. Delaying calculating the tax return means that you commit to late filing without knowing whether or not that may be advantageous”
You wet blanket, you…where’s the fun in that?
I think most people have a good idea of if they are going to owe taxes or get a refund. The point in delay is delaying the misery of it all. If you have done your taxes, likely you are going to file it then, even with a payment, so you don’t have to pay a penalty.
I just can’t bear the act of collecting all the records and getting it done. Even now that we have an accountant it is miserable. So every April 15th, we send out an extension request and a check for 10K to the IRS. This last year we still owed them over 16K in October. It gets worse every year, even though now we have zero exemptions. I really hate doing taxes.
I have been using taxfreeusa for at least 5 years, maybe more. I absolutely love it, and it’s free to file regardless of your income.
Thank you to the mod who changed the typo in the thread title. :x
Yes: as-trocious was amusing!
Just went online to research the cost of turbo tax at various stores and discovered that the problem the OP posted is true. I have been using Turbo tax for many years. Have always used the Deluxe version. Although I do use a schedule D I don’t need TT to walk me through it.
This year you cannot efile a return if you have a schedule D or C with the Deluxe version. Must pay an additional $30 for the premier. Sure I could contact TT and get a free upgrade this year, but in the future I will have to pay. May as well start switching now. I have trouble with a company that charges that much extra for the exact same thing as last year.
I see that if you belong to AAA, then the cost of Turbo Tax is discounted.
Also true for Vanguard customers. In fact, TT Premier was free to Vanguard Flagship customers this year.
^^ Do you have a link for that? Free is the only way I’m getting TT this year.
Amazon prime also has it cheaper. But it’s still $30 more than Deluxe. It’s the increase I’m complaining about.
Free?? Nothing is ever free, but I’d like to see that link too. I wasn’t going to get TT to back up the accountant, but if it’s free, I will.
https://www.taxact.com/index.asp - I’ll report back. I have a fairly simple return though it includes a Schedule C.
https://personal.vanguard.com/us/insights/taxcenter/qdi/turbotax
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/1420277/
Thanks Patsmom. That was very helpful. Although I tried repeatedly yesterday and couldn’t get TT to load so I gave up and this morning when I tried noticed that the offer expires today. Although I’m assuming that the price will still be lower than anywhere else. Problem is I still can’t figure out how to access it. I’m sure I’m missing something simple.
Your first link sends me to a page that first tells me to log on. After I’ve done that, I can’t figure out how to get started. When I click the link that says “get started now and save” nothing happens and I can’t find any other link to TT.
Thought I’d share that the wonderful link Patsmom provided also says that H&R Block is also offering free Deluxe version to those who purchased TT Deluxe and now have to upgrade:
3bm -
When I click the TurboTax logo thing that says “get started now and save”, a small window opens up for me and I have to scroll down to select the “download” link for the product I select. Not sure why you’re not getting that small window.
Not sure what the problem is. I even disabled pop ups and tried again. I also emailed Vanguard but have not received a response. Thanks for helping though.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been using Tax Cut (now just called H&R Block) for years with no problems.