Author Topic: Tax Preparation Software Deals Master Thread (Read 8221 times)

elikay · « **on:** January 19, 2013, 10:25:17 PM »

So Although I did find some old threads, none focused on deals. I am looking for Turbotax Business (or something comparable), the cheapest I have found is 109 on Amazon (as well as Costco).

elikay · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2013, 09:23:37 PM »

Anyone have experience with H&R? There's a great deal on personal + business on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Block-Home-2012-Premium-Business/dp/B009RHEH24 $32.99

churnbabychurn · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:13:45 PM »

Just know that every software will give you different results. get a good CPA

elikay · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:21:36 PM »

Quote from: churnbabychurn on January 24, 2013, 11:13:45 PM

Just know that every software will give you different results. get a good CPA

IME when doing personal taxes I get exactly the same results from Taxcut and Turbotax, if you get different results you are doing something wrong.

Bostener · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2013, 01:55:24 AM »

Quote from: churnbabychurn on January 24, 2013, 11:13:45 PM

Just know that every software will give you different results. get a good CPA

+1

aj26 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2013, 05:42:29 AM »

Quote from: churnbabychurn on January 24, 2013, 11:13:45 PM

Just know that every software will give you different results. get a good CPA

+100
the tax code is so messed up. How much you pay depends on how aggressive you want to be. Do you consider xyz to be a biz expense or not. THere are a million other examples

BAHayman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2013, 07:21:20 AM »

Quote from: elikay on January 24, 2013, 11:21:36 PM

IME when doing personal taxes I get exactly the same results from Taxcut and Turbotax, if you get different results you are doing something wrong.

Or your return is just that complex. I get different numbers from TurboTax and H&R Block. :-(

That being said, I've always filed the H&R Block return.

churnbabychurn · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2013, 08:10:45 AM »

Quote from: elikay on January 24, 2013, 11:21:36 PM

IME when doing personal taxes I get exactly the same results from Taxcut and Turbotax, if you get different results you are doing something wrong.

For the simplest personal tax returns your probably right, but I have seen discrepancies of literally tens of thousands on complex returns.
Another thing, most CPA's will just run your info through their software and give you a number, hence I recommend finding a good one that will actually check the results.

churnbabychurn · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2013, 08:15:18 AM »

Read this, seems that even for personal there are discrepancies, at least when itemizing.

http://lifehacker.com/5785830/lifehacker-faceoff-hr-block-vs-turbotax-online-tax-prep

chaimyl · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2013, 07:21:47 PM »

If you make $57,000 (adjusted gross income) or less, you can get all of the software for free . It is has all the big brands (you can use turbo tax, h&r......) and is totally free (the government pays for it).

Here is the link, the program, it opens each year on the 30th of Jan.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free

I used the H&R program last year and it is the same as the paid version.

elikay · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2013, 07:39:41 PM »

Quote from: chaimyl on January 26, 2013, 07:21:47 PM

If you make $57,000 (adjusted gross income) or less, you can get all of the software for free . It is has all the big brands (you can use turbo tax, h&r......) and is totally free (the government pays for it).

Here is the link, the program, it opens each year on the 30th of Jan.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free

I used the H&R program last year and it is the same as the paid version.

It's only for federal IIRC.

MarkS · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2013, 08:15:33 PM »

Quote from: elikay on January 26, 2013, 07:39:41 PM

It's only for federal IIRC.

Most of these programs have free federal and then charge for State.

There are usually places that you can file directly with your state for free albeit with a less intuitive UI.

NJ's site: http://www.njwebfile.com/

chaimyl · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2013, 01:45:26 AM »

I filed last year NY state taxes for free and i think many other states as well are also free when it opens on Jan 30 you will be to find out which states are included

Bostener · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2013, 02:09:30 AM »

Quote from: churnbabychurn on January 24, 2013, 11:13:45 PM

Just know that every software will give you different results. get a good CPA

What we do in this case is we figure out why there is a difference between one tax return and another.

churnbabychurn · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2013, 09:26:59 AM »

An accountant can estimate the tax liability, if the software returns a different result it should be checked.

SPGDUDE · « **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2013, 12:11:32 AM »

if i use turbo tax, what is the real difference between the basic(free) deluxe and premier?

churnbabychurn · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2013, 12:12:03 AM »

Quote from: SPGDUDE on January 31, 2013, 12:11:32 AM

if i use turbo tax, what is the real difference between the basic(free) deluxe and premier?

State?

SPGDUDE · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2013, 12:13:38 AM »

Quote from: churnbabychurn on January 31, 2013, 12:12:03 AM

State?

nj

churnbabychurn · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2013, 12:14:33 AM »

I meant maybe the free does not help you with the state return only the fed.

SPGDUDE · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2013, 12:16:27 AM »

Quote from: SPGDUDE on January 31, 2013, 12:11:32 AM

if i use turbo tax, what is the real difference between the basic(free) deluxe and premier?

all in regards to a federal level

Poll

How did you do your taxes this year?

Author Topic: Tax Preparation Software Deals Master Thread (Read 8221 times)