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?"

Always found it strange

[TheLink]

That there's a market for tax software in the USA.

Are there other countries where such software would be worth it?

In the country I live in the income tax system seems simple enough that anyone who is too stupid to figure it out is unlikely to be making enough money to fall in the taxable bracket.

me too

[twitter]

It's still pen and paper for me

Sure, but it's easier to get the forms with a browser and KPDF than it is to drive to the library. Also, it's easier to add the stuff up with gnumeric than it is to use a calculator. After that, the check's in the mail.

Of course, all of it's a stupid curse. Uncle Sam knows exactly what you made and has the resources to present it to you over the web. Taxes should be as easy as going to a web site and choosing between "I agree" and "I have something else to report" then doing it.

I'm going to continue to use paper as long as Uncle Sam does, mostly because the programs made to do taxes have proved themselves less than trustworthy.

My Web Browser

[Em Adespoton]

Title says it all. I have an account, log in once or twice a year, and file my taxes. I can do it wherever I am, on whatever computer is available, as long as it has internet access and a secure web browser. Back when I used software, I found I was always waiting for the software patches to come out, and they always came out AFTER most of the features of the software would have been usable (right near the end of filing time, instead of in January during planning time). Now, it's always up to date, and I can check in whenever I want to see where my registered savings and charitable contributions should be to maximize my return. Plus, such sites are generally free for people below a certain income level (and cheaper than tax software for people over that level).

Re:H & R Block

[Anonymous Coward]

As a former employee there, I can say Block does not compete on price. They compete by being able to front refunds so people can walk out with parts of their refund.

The skill level of Block is a little erratic, but then there are scores of "1 W2" returns that are simply too cut and dried to make any serious money for the top Accountants. Block usually does a passable job on these.

I believe the tax code is not deliberately complex to suit the accountants; some of us get grumpy at being dragged into obscure situations that won't result in any great prep-revenue, but only serve to give a harried preparer room to get nervous. The good preparers put it on hold to dig/ask, despite pressure to get rid of returns.

The tax code is a combination of "Think of The Injustice to (foo) Group" and ugly language designed to stop sneaky schemes of IQ-180 tax sharks. The rules used by "normal" people fit into under 500 pages, as demonstrated by the retail tax guides at the big bookstores. If you own your own business, or rental properly, or play fast and loose on Wall Street, you have no right to complain about complexity.

Re:H & R Block

[tchdab1]

Having an accountant do my taxes is great for getting my taxes done this year I agree. But it doesn't teach me enough about the process to help me make decisions throughout the following year.
Doing it myself keeps me informed of what is being taxed and how.
Having a program helps reduce the time it takes to enter the data and make the calculations and find help and forms when I need them. I can get into it as much as I need to (which you might say is true for an accountant too), I have all the records and processes when I need to consult them later to see what the tax implications are of doing or not doing something, etc.
Plus to use an accountant I have to assemble all my documentation myself anyway (all the taxable records) which is a major part of the tax effort - once I got all my papers the rest is not so bad.

Given that, I use one of the major programs, and I don't believe it matters much which you use.

Re:A bigger falacy.

[poopdeville]

The biggest fallacy in the book is thinking that gold has any intrinsic value outside of its industrial uses. And copper alloys are superior for most applications.

The price of gold is just as arbitrary as the 'price' of a dollar. Having no intrinsic value means that extrinsic value -- price -- is its only value.

Re:A bigger falacy.

[StikyPad]

Backed vs. fiat currency is all just semantics. In either case, the government controls the supply. If a "backed" currency economy collapsed, do you really think the government would let you trade in your currency for whatever it's backed against? Of course not.

Things are, and have always been, worth what someone is willing to pay for them, and that includes currency. It is impossible to tie currency to an actual standard, because no single thing has the same worth to every person, including gold. Since gold would be nearly worthless in an economic collapse ("You want some water? I need some food, and that shiny metal doesn't look very nutritional!), it's pretty pointless to use it to back your currency. And since everything is in fluctuation in both supply and demand, there's really nothing suitable.

Currency represents an idea; a measure of something intangible, presumably work done. If people suddenly decide that a currency worthless (or worth less, or worth more), then it is. If the government floods the market with more currency, then it will result in inflation, fiat or not.