less costly tax software ????

For the past many years I have used Turbo-Tax. seems like each year they have inched up the price. Last year, by the time they took their price, plus shipping and handling, seems like it was over $60... And all that gets me is a CD that enables me to download online. So I have to download - a real problem on dialup. Then I usually have to fight with the software, specially if I need to deal with unusual forms like 1040F. I will grant that that purchase price includes the state form. But if I want to e-file, there's a additional fee of $12 or so. So I send in paper copys. That probably makes me a target for auditing, because some clerk has to handle the forms. I would assume the e-file will only come up if you exceed certain perameters, and raise red flags...Last time Turbo-tax folks asked me to automatically re-up, I told them to forget it.

So I'm in the market for new brand of software.
Daughter passed on a starter CD for H & R Block,
which I haven't persued, but understand they offer free e-file, but state forms are extra..

Anyone have a real good package that doesn't have hidden charges, and covers all the bases?
Your experineces would be appreciated.

I use Tax Cut and like it MUCH better than Turbo which I did use it the past.
John

I have used Tax Act Online for several years now
and have been well satisfied with it. It so simple even I can understand it.I signed up
early this year to get the $13.75 early signup
discount last year with Efile and state form it
was under $30 I believe.
https://www.taxactonline.com

I too use Tax Act Online! Turbo Tax got old 2 years ago at my house. Greg

For serveral years I have used turbo tax online from fidelity.com. It has increased some also but not as high as you are talking about. Don"t have to download or install software. It also knows and compares your previous year information. I know it is also avail at other places such as vanguard.com

If you are a Costco member they have the TurboTax Delux version for $40. It includes the state forms as well.

I still do it pencil and paper, and I have no intentions of changing until the IRS either provides the software for free, or makes me file electronically.

I've looked at TurboTax, but it does not make sense for me to buy it. Even if you buy the most expensive business version, you still have to buy a personal version for your personal income tax. Here's what I'd have to buy:

TurboTax Business $110
TurboTax Business State $50
TurboTax Premier $50
TurboTax State $37

So that's 247 bucks total! Unless TurboTax is going to save at least ten hours of my time, how can I justify it?

Yup. Most of the time is getting the paperwork (even if you have software) in line so you have all the numbers. At that point, paper and pencil do the job, and unless and until the tax folks provide electronic forms for free, I'm darned if I'll pay extra to make THEIR lives easier. Takes no more than a couple hours once all the numbers are on hand.

There's no earthly reason tax software should be an extra cost item. A decent webform would cost a whole lot less than printing all that paper instruction junk, and the simple math errors would go away, along with fill this number in 6 different places on the same form. They keep claiming electronic filing saves money, so why haven't they made electronic filing free??? Must be that they like to waste money. Furthermore, there's no reason that free tax software provided by the tax folks shouldn't have a whole bunch of the numbers already filled in, since they have 90% of the information from other sources anyway.

The only reason the IRS doesn't give away tax software is that Congress won't let them. Lobbyists from the tax software companies made sure of that.

If you are going to mail in your forms, you can go to irs.gov and download pdf files of all the forms you need. Something about their licensing with Adobe allows you to actually type your information right onto the form on the computer and save it, printing it out when ready. Completely free. The only drawback is no efile, but I'm too cheap to spring for that anyway.

Christopher

You might want to petition Charlie Rangel through Fairtax.org and maybe we won't be doing this tax prep BS in the future.
Good luck.
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