Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Polls /
  3. Finance
  4. / Taxes Other Than Income
  5. / Tax Preparation Software

by Rachel Globus on January 4th, 2010

Rachel Globus

Poll

Help answer this question below.

What's the best way to do your taxes?

Embed
  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 22 helpful answers below.

  • by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on January 4th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    DA BEN DAN yanggui zi

    I used to do my own..but using the software programs is just easier.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Cubaneyes on January 4th, 2010
    voted: CPA or tax attorney

    Cubaneyes

    Doesn't it really depend on how complicated your taxes may be?

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Possum on January 4th, 2010

    Possum

    It depends on a number of factor. I'm a CPA and do some other people's taxes but don't do my own. My return is complex and I prefer some outside ojectivity.
    If you have a return that's of more than average complexity and have some facility with numbers I suggest you use something like TurboTax. Then take it to a good service (H&R Blcok PREMIUM), CPA or tax attorney and have them review and sign it. They'll charge you less than if you just brought in a grocery bag full of documents, you'll have a feel for what's going on, and the return with have the "goodhousekeeping seal" of being signed by a professional.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by RosieGHM Jetpacker on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    RosieGHM Jetpacker

    Honestly. Don't cheat, fudge, lie. Happy Tuesday! :)

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by O.G. Rodger on January 4th, 2010
    voted: Do them yourself

    O.G. Rodger

    do it urself easy

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Darth NANAME on January 4th, 2010
    voted: Do them yourself

    Darth NANAME

    It's often good to learn how to do things yourself.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by debodun on January 4th, 2010
    voted: CPA or tax attorney

    debodun

    I used to go to a chain tax service prep. They made so many mistakes and charged so much that I did my own for a few years. I did make a mistake on my 2002 return that ended up costing me $3000. Someone recommended a CPA who's been doing mine ever since. He charges a third of what I was paying the other service and even managed to get back some of the money I had paid on the penalty of the 2002 return and also circumvented my having to pay a $40,000 penalty when I closed some IRA accounts. However, if you are confident of your own ability to understand the tax laws and do the math, go right ahead and do your own. I'm just not that assured.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by soulalonegirl on January 4th, 2010

    soulalonegirl

    The best way depends on how much income you have, if you itemize decuctions, if you own a business, etc.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Adz3r0 on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    Adz3r0

    With TURBO TAX, I don't understand why people still pay others to do their taxes if they don't make LOTS of money (STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM H&R BLOCK!!!!)

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by CT on January 5th, 2010

    CT

    Hire a decent accountant..

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by t3naciousV on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    t3naciousV

    tax preparation software, to me, is the same as preparing it yourself.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by MrJosh on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    MrJosh

    When I was younger, I used to do them on my own, but as I got older,it got to be a little to complicated. I used to go to an accountant, but since my divorce, things have been simpler and I use Turbo Tax.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by ChandaDiane - est. 1975 on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    ChandaDiane - est. 1975

    I've been using TurboTax since I can remember.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Other

    Anonymous

    ...organize with tens of millions of people and have a tax revolt.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Lex Friedman on January 5th, 2010
    voted: CPA or tax attorney

    Lex Friedman

    I never regret the money I pay my CPA. It's worth it for the calm reassurance that I've filed correctly. For whatever reason, our returns are always nutty, and I love to make it (mostly) someone else's problem to figure out!

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Miecky83 on January 4th, 2010
    voted: Do them yourself

    Miecky83

    Paid it yourself.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by PL is on vacation right now on January 4th, 2010
    voted: Other

    PL is on vacation right now

    Use Turbotax on PC.
    http://turbotax.intuit.com/

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Rollie on January 4th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    Rollie

    I have been doing both State and Federal returns this way for many years. It is the best way. I have always done my own and have always paid as I should.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by rexangelic on January 4th, 2010

    rexangelic

    Eight years ago I used TurboTax for the first time. Every year for three years I ran into some kind of problem that made me worry about whether I should submit my returns or not. Every year I emailed TurboTax support asking them to verify that certain deductions or calculations were actually correct. I either never got an answer or the answer that I did get made me even more worried.

    Five years ago I discovered TaxAct (dot com). These folks have developed an online tax preparation program that I believe will handle even the most detailed and complicated return, bar none. They are thorough, they check, account for and calculate everything and leave nothing to guess or chance. They offer a free paper federal return, but the premium federal/state efile package for only $17.95 (with absolutely no other hidden charges) is the BEST. You simply cannot believe the VALUE you will get from them until you try it. They will get you every deduction or loophole that you are legally entitled to without getting you into trouble with the revenuers. Their CHECK, CROSS-CHECK and RE-CHECK with GREEN, YELLOW or a REDLIGHT is their key analysis program and it works really well. ALSO AFTER YOUR RETURN HAS BEEN SUBMITTED they have a FREE follow-up program to help you plan for the next tax year which is worth a lot more than FREE.

    If you choose to do your tax return with these folks and you complete and submit it on 02-02-2010, you can expect to have any refund owed you in your bank account in less than one week.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by iwnit on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Other

    iwnit

    1) The answer depends on how complicated your taxes are.
    For people having a job, a tax preparation software can make sense. It would also be better to use the same software every year to take over the data easily.


    2) Here the result of another poll:
    "How are you filing your 2008 taxes?

    Turbotax (42%, 142 Votes)
    I'm having someone else do them for me (16%, 54 Votes)
    TaxAct (14%, 46 Votes)
    H&R Block Taxcut (9%, 30 Votes)
    I'm doing them on paper (8%, 27 Votes)
    IRS's Free-file (7%, 22 Votes)
    Other software (4%, 17 Votes)
    Total Voters: 338"
    Source and further information:
    http://20somethingfinance.com/blog/2009/02/02/5-of-the-cheapest-best-ways-to-e-file-your-taxes/#ViewPollResults
    The quoted article presents "5 of the Cheapest & Best Ways to E-File your Taxes".


    3) "Using A Pro To Do Your Taxes: Worth It?"

    "You, the taxpayer, are responsible for everything on that return! The most common mistakes, such as basic miscalculations, will very rarely lead to an audit, but could result in you owing more than you thought you did. So, always double check the math. "
    Source and further information:
    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/11/earlyshow/main4858427.shtml

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by WelbyQuentin on January 5th, 2010
    voted: CPA or tax attorney

    WelbyQuentin

    that's the best way for me, at least

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by redcatt63 is around here somewhere...... on January 5th, 2010
    voted: Tax preparation software (such as TurboTax)

    redcatt63 is around here somewhere......

    For years, after recommendations from others who use them, I've used tax preparation software (HR Block Taxcut). I've always found more deductions and got better refunds ever since I started using it over 10 years ago.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What's the best way to do your taxes?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Do you think its best to prepare your taxes or a professional
Best ways cheat taxes
What s the best way to do your taxes
Easy way to do your taxes
Six cheapest and best ways to do taxes

Answerbag

a Demand Media company