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[drsyn]

Those "hitches" have been fixed.....  If you use Tax Cut, for example, they will act as the middle man and efile (electronically file) it for 10 or 15 dollars.  The IRS and your state will have descriptions of how their systems work.

So you still have to buy Tax Cut or Turbo Tax AND pay them money to file online?  I remember locating some "free" downloadable software but there was some problem there as well.

If your tax situation is pretty simple -- just regular income to report -- the free stuff is probably all you need.  But, IMHO, once you get involved with mortgages, selling stocks, doing consulting, health care spending accounts, etc. it pays to have the software.  And to be clear, the software is more than just a way to fill out the forms, but it collects your data and "interviews" you to prepare your return according to the latest tax laws. 

It works for me and it certainly worth the $30 plus $15 each for the Feds and State efiling.

 I did Turbo Tax and didn't have to pay the extra 15.00 for federal.

[adhoc]

I did Turbo Tax and didn't have to pay the extra 15.00 for federal.

Just curious: I have been using TaxCut for ten years, more or less.  E-filing used to be included.  Now it is only included in a more expensive version that, basically, amounts to a "free" $15 filing for $20 more for the software.  Is this also the case with Turbo Tax, or is e-filing still included in the lower priced versions?

[drsyn]

I did Turbo Tax and didn't have to pay the extra 15.00 for federal.

Just curious: I have been using TaxCut for ten years, more or less.  E-filing used to be included.  Now it is only included in a more expensive version that, basically, amounts to a "free" $15 filing for $20 more for the software.  Is this also the case with Turbo Tax, or is e-filing still included in the lower priced versions?

The ad says 'basic' for 14.95 and free federal.  I took the next level up.  29.95 plus state sales tax and free federal.  You pay extra for state taxes.

It used to be totally free if your income was low enough.

[_hoban_]

If your AGI is less than $52k and you are under 50 years old, you can do federal for free (including efiling)at a number of sites (I used H & R block's http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/partner/index.jsp?otpPartnerId=180).
I guess I just outed myself as being young and less than wealthy.

I did have to pay for state filing, but you can just do the federal for free (my state refund was just enough to pay for the filing fee, and I was feeling lazy) and then do the state by hand.

I agree with the above comments, certified mail doesn't prove you actually mailed your taxes, it just proves you mailed something and seems like a waste.

[iomhaigh]

I haven't bought a box in a couple of years, but when I did use them, you could always print out the forms and mail them through the regular mail if you didn't want to pay the $15.00 to file them electronically.

[drsyn]

I haven't bought a box in a couple of years, but when I did use them, you could always print out the forms and mail them through the regular mail if you didn't want to pay the $15.00 to file them electronically.

Box?  I do it all online.  No box

[gesualdo]

I've done mine all online at Turbo Tax for several years.  But this year was different.  I never had to file state before and TT's state setup is seriously a mess.  I did my taxes on paper this year for the first time in many years.  My state provides a form that so nicely does all the math for you.  Except it figures wrong and they come back at you for more later.

[frazali]

This is the first year that I've had an accountant do my taxes - he filed them electronically. I'd previously sent them via regular mail and I've never had a problem.