[yooper]

My wife and I have been using H&R block for years, and I'm thinking of giving TurboTax (for Mac) or a similar service a try.

We usually end up paying H&R block around $250.00 a year to do our taxes, so I though I may attempt to learn how to file on my own.

Nothing extremely complicated on our end...two incomes, Need Fed, State and City taxes done... own a home and travel trailer, no kids, and I remember the deductions we have used over the years through H&R block and do have past years tax paperwork handy.

Should be easy enough, no?

Mark

[John Casler]

Should be a "slam dunk". if you both receive W-2's.

If you run a business and need a "Schedule C" then it can be used as an organizing tool, (which is what I do) but you might need a more experienced eye for things like "depreciation" etc.

But I have used TurboTax for years as an organizational tool.

[Big Red Machine]

Been using it for about 10 years, maybe more.  I told the box "Thank You" after just an hour's work I was done.

The neat thing about TT is that is goes back to last year's file and pulls through all the personal data and asks you relevant questions about whether you are still contributing to x or have made investment y this year.  You can eFile and Debit automatically, does your state return almost automatically, defends you if audited, etc.  And for about $60 you're good to go.  I've had some convoluted ESOP years, etc. and it takes you thru step by step.

[BradJudy]

I've used TaxCut (H&R Block's software) for years with a similar experience.  I think both TurboTax and TaxCut do a good job at walking you through entering tax info.  As pointed out, they are even better after the first year since they import the prior year's file and save you some data entry time (both programs can import files from the other one as well, IIRC). 

There are also online versions of the programs that a lot of my co-workers use, particularly those who have relatively simple needs. 

[montana girl]

I've used turbo tax for 3 years and really like it. It's easy, fast and efficient. I've always went the short form though, don't know about the longer forms, but I imagine it's just as easy.

[mikef]

I use Turbo tax and it's simple. My earnings include consulting work in addition to my regular job, so my taxes are not that simple, and it walks you through all the deductions easily. It even includes comparison to others in your income bracket and shows their average deductions, so you know if yours look out of whack (= potential audit). Highly recommended.

A few years ago I was using an accountant for my taxes who was highly recommended by two of my neighbors. I was sitting across the desk from him, and he was entering my numbers into his computer, with the screen facing him, so I could not see it. He got up for something and left the room, so I snuck a look at his computer screen and he was using Turbo Tax! AND charging me $400! I started using it myself right then.

Mike Fox

[Tim S]

Save your money. $20 for the software (ok +$15 if you need a state edition) is much better than $250 for a person. I use TaxCut which is quite good. (Wouldn't surprise me if the guy at the H&R Block office just takes your information and enters it into that ) If you already know which deductions to take, then this is clearly the way to go.

In terms of the difference between TaxCut or Turbo Tax, I don't think they are big these days.

[DeeCee]

Turbo Tax should be a no brainer in your situation... it's pretty simple and works very well.

My wife was a professionally licensed tax consultant and had a small business doing this for several years and we used the professional release of the product (ch-ching!).

The personal versions are a bargain and unless you have some "tax/legal issues" you should have no problems at all.

- DeeCee

[craig223]

TurboTax and Tax Cut are both very good programs.  My former partner used to hire a CPA for his taxes.  One year we did his taxes on TurboTax and he took them to his CPA also.  TurboTax had a refund of $100 more than the CPA. 

Tax Cut is published by H & R Block.  It is very similar to what you get when you go in.

Depending on the complexity of your taxes, you should be able to complete them on either program in 1 - 4 hours.  If you are getting a refund, you can file for it electronically when you are done.  If you need a state return, both programs do them and transfer all information from your federal return.

Either program and a state return will set you back about $80.  That leaves $170 to spend on audio gear!

[BrassEar]

TurboTax is an incredible product. I have been using it for 5 years without a hitch.  The most amazing part of it for me is the import function for stock trades. I daytrade and TT directly imported thousands of trades and autopopulated the correct forms. Doing this manually would have cost a ton of time/money.

[goldlizsts]

My wife and I have been using H&R block for years, and I'm thinking of giving TurboTax (for Mac) or a similar service a try.................................... ...........

Mark

Someone said it's a no-brainer, indeed it is.  TT is much easier to use than TC.  I use it for myself and my clients.  I tried a couple of times to see if TC would do the same, since it's less money (if it does the same job, why not!?).  But... TC just doesn't cut it.  You'll find TT is much easier to navigate, and more commonsensical (IMO, more logical.  Perhaps, becaues TC came around after TT, so they had to try to be different.  That's where it backfired!).  Incidentally, do  you know who put out TC?  HR Block is, IMHO, robbery, only those not in the know get slaughtered by them.  Each little schedule costs you $$, and they add up exorbitantly.  From Costco, the promotion last week, it would have cost you about $20 - $25, vs the $250 you'd have to pay Block if you go to them.  Of course, you'll sweat a little doing it yourself.  But, after a year or two of sweating it out (assuming you're not an accountant), it'll become 2nd nature, almost.

[yooper]

Very good!    I really appreciate the great replies. 

I will most certainly do our taxes myself now. 

Mark

[Crimson]

Prior to my wife and I becoming self-employed, we used TT exclusively ('95-'01). This included kids, mortgage, etc. Easy as pie, no problems.

[jimdgoulding]

Hi.  I used Turbo Tax for the first time last year.  This is a good product, IMO.  They do a pretty good job of guiding you through potential deductions.  You will find this time consuming at first, but worth your time.  Will definitely use the program this year.  As a self employed individual working from home and filing jointly with my salaried wife, I was able to do it myself and save some $380.00 in fees using my local tax office.   

[pm314]

I've used TaxAct for the past 8 years and it has always been incredibly easy. I have no experience with TT or TC so I cant comment on them but TaxAct has been easy and cheap (<$25 including filing).

[lonewolfny42]

Someone should of told Wesley Snipes about Turbo Tax....Link...

[goldlizsts]

Very good!    I really appreciate the great replies. 

I will most certainly do our taxes myself now. 

Mark

Be prepared to spend time understanding what you have to do with each box you'll be putting a figure to.  Use the drop-down Help menu where you can.  Also, if you right-click the box, you'll get more guidance also.  For example, it may have the Source of the Info, which will point you to where a figure came from, and how to deal with it...... In other words, figures in a box (of a line) often are linked to sub-schedules.  You'll find it fun after having sweated it out for the first time. 

[ratso]

here in chicago the paper did a 'shootout' of a typical taxpayer with a house and family doing his taxes with the most popular of do-it-yourself computer programs and also going to an accountant. the difference in the calculated returns between all of them was negligible (like around $20). the upshot was use whatever you find convenient, and these programs are very easy.

[spudco]

I'm a long time TurboTax user and it is great for home taxes.

I have fairly complex taxes:  W-2 earnings, capital gains, self-employeed earnings, partnerships, rental earnings and a farm.  It has worked very well for years.

I also use it for my state taxes and for my conservatorship for my mother.

Easy to use for either paper or electronic filings.  Will print very detailed filing for your own records.  Easy transfer of information from year to year.

[Thebiker]

Another endorsement for TurboTax.  I have been using it for at least 5 years, probably longer.  The "It's Deductible" section makes charitable donations easy.  I started out by printing hardcopies to send to the IRS, now I just download and get my money back by direct deposit in a very short time (7 to 10 days) by paying a low fee for the service.

It also allows more than one taxpayer.  I do our joint filing, my daughter's joint filing and my mother's, all without a hitch and it transfers all the demographics across from last years filings.

If you can read and comprehend (if you couldn't you probably wouldn't be on this site) , you will have not trouble using it!

Walt