Tax Act
 

Was checking out tax act and have a question.It says that it is free but says it still says it charges. Is it really under $20.00? My husband said not to do them online because he heard someone did theirs and their identity got got stolen but then that is with anything. Are these tax softwares safe to do and are they easy?

I don't know, we always have our accountant do our taxes.
They know the tax laws and all the deductions that are allowed.

For the free websites go through IRS.GOV there is a link on there, and it is easy to understand what are the requirements for free filing. I have used it for several years, no problems.

Sorry, I'm a dinosaur, here. I still file paper returns. Do very little online anything for the reasons you state. I just get the fed/state tax forms/books and go through them line/line. Doesn't usually take all that long and I don't find it particularly difficult. Might need to find an accountant this year due to some new business activity.

I used Turbo Tax ages ago and was not happy. At the time you answered a series of questions and then it gave you what it thought the appropriate line items you needed to complete. Well, since it didn't ask the questions regarding LLC's or other small businesses, didn't work out too well for me. I did much better on my own with paper/pencil.

But that's just me. Might work for you if you have a relatively uncomplicated tax situation.

Just a thought. Check in your area to see if AARP has a "Tax-Wise" in your area. They have well trained preparers and do the work for free for over 50 and low income. My husband has been working for them for 10 years. They are very accurate. Good luck!

I don't know what your earned income is but there is a program that will do your taxes for free (including electronic filing) if you meet certain guidelines. Search for the VITA tax service. It is a nationwide program. There should be local agencies doing it in your area. You can call and get an appointment. I volunteer and do taxes for them and it's a great program!!

I hate the thought of messing up my taxes using things like turbo tax. I pay h&r block a go jillion dollars to do it for me. With all the extra stuff that is claimed for work and different forms I just can't risk messing up.

I've used taxact online for several years. I think there is a free version, but for around $10 it remembers your info from the previous year, adds whatever extra forms you need, etc. You can print and save your return as well. You can actually print and mail it if you prefer instead of submitting it online. I submit mine online. I've been very happy with it.

DH does ours. He had been using Turbo Tax. But last year I think he went to IRS.GOV/whaterver. Each weekend that he gets paid he enters information into Quicken/Quick Books. Comes time to do taxes he puts that information into whatever. Sign couple papers, fax and auto deposit into acct within 10 - 15 days or pay on 4-14.

I've used Turbo Tax for years with online filing and I've never had a problem. Plus you get your refund faster by filing online.

We own a business and have an accountant do our taxes, business and personal. Keeps me from loosing sleep.

I used to use Tax Act but since retiring with a pension, moving and now have added S.S., state tax and stocks to my list, I feel better letting someone with a lot more knowledge figure out my taxes. Also found out having a cemetery plot you have to pay property taxes on it too.

The BASIC Tax Act is free for the federal return. Have to pay to get state return done. If you use the more advanced version, you have to pay for it.
I have been using Tax Act for years and never had a problem.

We use H&R Block online and have never had a problem.

I've been using TaxAct for years and it's really easy. It is free if you fill out the information and print the return and mail it yourself. I opt to pay to e-file federal and state and save my information for the next year. This costs about $14.95 which is billed when you actually e-file.

I have used Tax Act for years and like them very much. I've not had a problem with the filing and the actual forms to fill out are free but there is a low charge to e-file them. I also like that they store your info from year to year on a secure site so all you have to fill in are the latest figures for that year, the names, SS#, etc. are already filled out.

H&R Block has a free tax program, also there's a Turbo tax program that's free

I took the advice of a fellow poster here and had two different tax people do my taxes. What a difference! The one we had been using had us paying several hundred more then the other. So we went with a third. The third one confirmed we owed less.We have probably lost a lot of money using the same preparer over the years. We thought she kept up with all the different tax changes. She didn't. Never settle for just one preparer's word if you owe or feel you should have more refund.

We used to use Turbo Tax, but about 5 years ago we had a very complicated issue come up and went to an accountant to do the taxes. He went back 3 years and found stuff Turbo Tax missed. We use this accountant since then. He is very reasonable.

I have been using H&R Block's online "free" program for years with no problems. They do not charge for "free" electronic filing & you get a "confirmation" that your filing as been accepted by the IRS. When you mail your return, you have no proof that you actually filed. I think the tax software programs are very user friendly now, & they ask you questions that a tax preparer may not think to ask you. I have a pension, collect social security, & have investments. I also do yearly ROTH Conversions. With H&R Block, all the correct forms are automatically provided as needed. I also print out my completed return as well as filing electronically. I also file my PA state return on line for free.

If I recall my son used tax act and it was free, just like at irs.gov however they get you on the State filing because that one is never free.
Regarding doing it online...IMHO doing it via snail mail you are just adding one more person(one more person that can steal your ID or make an error) to the mix. I've been doing online banking and online taxes for over ten years with no problem at all. I use turbo tax.

*** Some file your State Tax for FREE & charge for the Federal.

Glad to hear there is someone else out there like me. I worked with computers for 30 years and I hate doing taxes on line. Seems like I can get the taxes done on paper faster and more accurately for my circumstances than I can answer all those questions. Since I was a professional tax preparer years ago, I'm OK with waiting for my return the old fashioned way.

Our accountant uses TurboTax, though we don't file electronically. TurboTax fills out the forms, we sign them and mail them in. I know the IRS is trying to encourage more people to file electronically. I assume if you use a tried and true tax program and follow the directions re: e-filing, your data is probably safe from hackers -- the extent anything is these days.

Have used Turbo Tax for years, first I bought them every year and now do the free on line, they are good, ask all kinds of questions so if you feel you have more than basic, they cover it. No free state but we do not have state in FL. Never had a problem of any kind and they let me print and I mail after printing out 2-3 copies. Now we don't have complicated taxes, although if I take out all our medical it might be more complicated, but what I pay in we get back which is not a large amount, and all we have is SS except for the one thing I pay taxes on. Getting ready to file with Turbo tax again, 13-14 year to use them.

I have used FreeTaxUSA for 6 or 7 years. Never had a problem. I use to use TurboTax but they refused to give me the free service even tho my income qualified because I sold a stock.

Us too. The only way to do it online--in my opinion. Because of complexities with IRA's, 401K's and investments, we now use an accountant. But for many years I did our taxes online through irs.gov, as well as family filings too. It's fine if filing the simplified forms but once there are investments etc. it may be best to contact someone with experience in those filings. Here is a link of interest:
http://www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals...r-Requirements

Turbo Tax is safe and very easy to use. Most if not all tax professionals will send your tax returns electronically. They use safe , encrypted means to do so. I have been filing electronically for decades.
Sandy

Better hope no one intercepts your paper filing. ALL of your identity is on those forms. You make it easier to have your ID stolen, IMHO.

Unless you mail it registered mail, I would re-think this. The regular US Mail is risky IMHO.

sandy

I love tax act! Have used it for several years and buy the Deluxe and do most of my adult children. It is very thorough and their help team is great. They are so helpful and that is one of the reasons we buy the deluxe.

i have a tax man so not sure id do it online now days you have to be so careful!!