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2much2do
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« on: January 17, 2010, 03:19:16 PM » |
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Sorry if this topic has been addressed in other years. I had a kind of complicated situation with an IRA rollover and some tuition credits, and hired somebody to do my taxes for three or four years, and then kind of got into that habit. But my situation has simplified, and I think I'm up to the task. Maybe. So, anybody have any software to recommend? I think the hardest part may be getting all the stuff together. I know I put that paperwork somewhere....
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spork
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« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2010, 08:12:41 PM » |
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TurboTax is quite simple and not expensive -- you can do it online and don't have to purchase software.
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a.k.a. gum-chewing monkey in a Tufts University jacket
"Please do not force people who are exhausted to take medication for hallucinations." -- Memo from the Chair, Department of White Privilege Studies, Fiork University
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oseph
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« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2010, 08:33:28 PM » |
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Yes. Turbo Tax. Seconded.
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Oseph....you are right and you make sense.
For your future comments, I insult very directly.
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kedves
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« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2010, 08:39:40 PM » |
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I love TurboTax! I've been using it for years. Doesn't miss a thing, well worth the money.
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msmicrobe
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« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2010, 08:44:49 PM » |
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I buy turbotax for my Mac every year. I'm personally not willing to do it online. But the software works well and is in plain English. I used to do my taxes by hand with the written directions. My mom lent me her software the year she tried it and I vowed to never go back. It's easier than doing it by hand and a lot cheaper than paying someone else to plug numbers into software for you.
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Chocolate fixes everything.
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anon99
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« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2010, 08:47:38 PM » |
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If not much has changed, you should be able to do it yourself. Use the previous tax forms as guides, so you know what goes where. Most tax software asks you a series of questions.
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2much2do
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« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2010, 07:09:05 AM » |
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Thanks so much! I appreciate your help. Turbotax it is. Now to get all that stuff together!
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spyzowin
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« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2010, 07:19:53 AM » |
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If you're not an idiot, yeah. You really do need to hire someone to do your taxes. Don't to to a mall. Hire a real accountant. Build a relationship with your accountant. Over the long haul, he or she will save you thousands and thousands.
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bayoucitybeancounter
Junior member
Posts: 95
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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2010, 01:30:36 PM » |
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If you earn under $56,000 per year, you qualify for free tax preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a program sponsored by the IRS. To find the nearest site, call 1-800-829-1040.
From a practical standpoint, in 16 years as a volunteer the only taxpayers turned away at the sites I've worked were either belligerant, drunk, or carrying a huge shopping bag full of stock trade receipts. I've never actually sent someone away for earning too much.
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stitch
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« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2010, 02:05:28 PM » |
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If you earn under $56,000 per year, you qualify for free tax preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a program sponsored by the IRS. To find the nearest site, call 1-800-829-1040.
From a practical standpoint, in 16 years as a volunteer the only taxpayers turned away at the sites I've worked were either belligerant, drunk, or carrying a huge shopping bag full of stock trade receipts. I've never actually sent someone away for earning too much.
Yup. And if your situation is reasonably simple, you can also file online for free. More info at the IRS website. Basically, these vendors walk you through the Federal taxes for free so they can try to get you to do your state taxes with them for a fee. They don't ask you all the questions that Turbo tax and similar programs do, but they do walk through inputting your information and then fill in the forms and do the calculations for you. |
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venerable_bede
Ain't nothin' but a
Senior member
Posts: 426
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« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2010, 02:15:37 PM » |
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TurboTax will do your taxes, but I much prefer having an accountant that we go to every year. It costs maybe $50 more than TurboTax, but TurboTax can't answer the questions you have in August about listing deductions now that you have a side gig, or a raise, or whatever. I can call my accountant with questions whenever I want, and he knows who I am and what my financial situation is.
I really think that a relationship with a good accountant, like a good doctor, mechanic, wine store owner, etc., is worth cultivating for the long term, even if it costs a little more.
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Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. --H. L. Mencken
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clean
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« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2010, 02:12:05 PM » |
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But my situation has simplified, and I think I'm up to the task. Give it a try. It is not rocket science, but it can be tedious. IF you decide that you want to go with turbotax or the other, it helps to know how it should be done and how the software is doing something. I know that I was not sure how it was dealing with my consulting expenses, but since I had tried it by hand, I knew the number was not right. I discovered that I had entered it incorrectly. Had I no idea what to do I would have paid too much in taxes. You can always take it to an accountant or buy the software after you ve done it by hand. If you think you are up to it, try it. Getting all the stuff together needs to be done no matter how or who does your taxes. |
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"The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" Darth Vader
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sciguy
Has still not paid to be a
Senior member
Posts: 250
Wielder of the Evil Red Pen
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« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2010, 02:57:27 PM » |
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I do my own taxes - including my own calculations - though I do type them into the pdf form. I figure that if I got a PhD - I should be able to figure it out.
It really isn't to bad if you are willing to put the time in and read the instructions (and all the additional form instructions). Of course every additional schedule and form adds to the issue. [I've done a 1040 with 5 W2s and several 1099s, itemized deductions, two additional forms, and 3 states without reciprocal arrangements]
If your taxes are simple enough to do a 1040 EZ you can and should do your own - you can use a number of online free filing programs to help with this.
Of course - I am probably the exception. Why they can't make taxes easier I don't know, but they'd "ruin" a big industry.
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2much2do
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« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2010, 07:15:55 AM » |
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I do my own taxes - including my own calculations - though I do type them into the pdf form. I figure that if I got a PhD - I should be able to figure it out.
Thanks for all the help - I agree that if I got a PhD, I ought to be able to do my own taxes. I do need to think about building a relationship with an accountant, though. Maybe I'll give it a try, but do it earlier and have a fall back plan. Again, thanks again! |
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periodically
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« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2010, 09:17:10 AM » |
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How does one find a good tax person?
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