What Tax Software Do You Use?

r_jensen11 asks: "I know this topic has been asked at least once before, but seeing as how 6 years have passed, I figured the question is due again. It's about that time of the year again when we find out how much we owe Uncle Sam (or as in my case, how much Uncle Sam owes me). Software has changed drastically in the past 6 years, since the previous query I found on Slashdot, as well as many tax rules. Does anyone here use tax software other than TurboTax and TaxCut? I know that there are also online forms I can fill out, but which ones are accessible to people that use OSes other than Windows and Mac OS X? I'd preferably use a program that I can use off-line and store my information locally instead of using eforms, but if I have to resort to eforms, which ones should I investigate and which ones should I stay far away from?"

i'm old school

[east coast]

It's still pen and paper for me, just like d&d.

I hope you don't think

[MerlynEmrys67]

That Uncle Sam returning that nice interest free loan you have given them by over witholding is "Giving you money back". Biggest fallacy in the book, have the standard tax tables overwithold - then make people think "Gee, the government is giving me money - they are so nice".

If you are getting a large refund - look into talking to an accountant that can tell you how many deductions you REALLY need to be closer to break even. My goal is to hit somewhere between a 100 dollar refund to paying 500 dollars. I can afford 500 dollars, and I'd just assume be making the interest while the money sits in my bank account before giving it to the Man.

But PLEASE don't take my advise - talk to an accountant (IANAA) to find out what is correct for you

Re:taxact

[rgbscan]

Same here. taxact all the way. I use the d/l'd version though. I just feel better about having my tax info stored locally.

"At least once before"

[Noksagt]

I know this topic has been asked at least once before, but seeing as how 6 years have passed, I figured the question is due again.

It has been answered several times in the past couple years:

• 2005
  • Best Tax Programs? [slashdot.org]
  • Open Source Tax Products? [slashdot.org]
  • Tax Time Again: Any Linux Solutions? [slashdot.org]
• 2004
  • The Future of Tax Software on Linux? [slashdot.org]
  • Tax Preparation Software for 2003? [slashdot.org]

Re:H & R Block

[MindStalker]

Note!!! H&R block people are NOT accountants!! Sure they have accountants for dealing with buisnesses. But the people who the average joe tax return at H&R block are not accountants and are just trained to fill out the same form you would if you went to their online website...

In Florida the CPA association filed a advertising complaint against H&R block because several of their commercials implied their people were better than accountants "We'll catch the refunds that your accountant missed" and crap.

Re:A bigger falacy.

[jb.hl.com]

I think his point is, rather, that if your currency is not backed by something of value (e.g gold) and then the value of it floats around, it is far too easy to have that value withheld from you in an instant, as you actually don't own anything except paper banknotes.

Not an unreasonable point, if that IS what he's getting at.

Re:why not just use the forms?

[TaoPhoenix]

I sincerely hope you're kidding.

Print the Forms, Get a Calculator and...

Figure out the partial reductions on child-benefits that interact with other parts of the code;

Disover that when you moved from one state to another you end up with Dual Status state returns;

You decided it would be fun to rent that side building next to your house to a guy needing a room, and now you have to figure out the depreciation.

Sorry; software is where Taxes are today. TaxAct, being free as in Beer, is a strong force on the scene.

Re:H & R Block

[XxtraLarGe]

I have an even better method. We do a 1040. We had H&R Block do our taxes once. Now I use Turbo Tax online. The nice thing about Turbo Tax is that you can do your taxes without paying until you actually file. I try to duplicate the result myself using the forms, following what H & R did. If I come up with the same number, I just use my form (it's happened the last two years now), and don't pay Turbo Tax to file. It's a great way to verify your results. If in the event Turbo Tax comes up with a better refund, I will use them.