Comments on: Taxes times three

By: nate

nate — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:38:22 +0000

i have used turbo tax and tax slayer and different tax professionals as well as going the pen and paper route. pen and paper is fine as long as your stuff is pretty straight forward, no big line item deductions or write-offs. the internet options are very convienient and easy and for the most part do a good job of finding you the basic write-offs that would not jump out at you with pen and paper. they do, however, suck you in with “free federal” and sting you with the super convienient add-ons. you pay extra for state and i had to pay extra for capital gains stuff. a professional is definately the most expensive route ($50-$300+ depending on complexity) but can pay off big if you have your own business, a bunch of investments or a lot of ins and outs. probably the biggest asset of a preparer though is tax planning for next year. they can give you strategies how to pay out as little as possible. but getting the right CPA is huge. just like any profession, a lotta losers out there. i am quite surprised though that you arent at least using the internets for this. all the cool kids are doing it.

By: Annie Jo

Annie Jo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:56:20 +0000

So I’m the only dum dum who attempts to fill out the paper forms.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:41:59 +0000

We use H&R Block which is very similiar to Turbo Tax.

By: Annie Jo

Annie Jo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:19:24 +0000

Ooh, a Turbo Tax defector. I think I’m just calling my RI return complete now. I’ve already spent way too much time on it.

I’ll want to hear how your professional experience goes.

By: Beata

Beata — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:48:45 +0000

I’ve used Turbo Tax for years, but I’m definitely going to a professional this year – with my severance, lawyer’s fees, etc. it’s way too complicated. I got the name of someone who got rave reviews on Angie’s List who I’m going to go to in February. (He’s a CPA in Brookline). If you want his name, let me know! Everyone I know who goes to a professional say it was the best decision of their lives! So there to all you Turbo Tax fans!

By: Annie Jo

Annie Jo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:28:34 +0000

Okay, so it’s clear I’m way behind the times here. Missed the boat on Turbo Tax.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:20:07 +0000

I vote Turbo Tax too! I filed my taxes this weekend and even got a discount on Turbo Tax through my bank.

By: Annie Jo

Annie Jo — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:50:24 +0000

Hmm. Well, that’s two votes for Turbo Tax.

By: Mom

Mom — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:38:50 +0000

Turbo Tax for us too! We get a discount through the BECU website, don’t have to be a member.

By: Annie Jo

Annie Jo — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:32:07 +0000

You Washingtonians and your one tax return.

The Turbo Tax price tag started inching up for Federal plus two states.

But now I’m pretty sure it would have been worth it.