free tax prep

[freshstart]

The United Way offers free tax prep for anyone who made less than 54k, there are other restrictions, like if you own a farm, but not many applicable to the average bear. The lines opened today, you call 211 and they set you up. I was good to go but you have to bring an original SS card and when I went to where I have always kept it, of course it was not there. And of course I have no memory of using it in the past year or more. So I don't go until March to give me time to get a new card. You also need photo ID and last year's return and anything that proves things you are going to claim.

I figure this gives me time to do a trial run on free Turbo tax and then see if the tax preparer does the same thing

[kib]

I keep thinking one of these years I should try an accountant to be absolutely certain I've got it all right, but it's sort of like going to the Dr. - do I really want to know?

[freshstart]

I hear you, this will be my hardest one ever because I forgot to have taxes taken out of my disability, by the time I remembered I think it was Dec. I have medical expenses to deduct and some of that is confusing. For the first time ever, I will owe and I'm scared about how much. So this is a good year to let them do it and keep my head in the sand.

[Williamsmith]

Last year I got blind sided losing several deductibles and not making an income adjustment for it. Got hammered with a big tax owing. I made some adjustment and I hope it comes out better. I use an accountant because I have already gotten a letter relative an audit in the past and I would prefer the IRS not even know I exist. My local library has a free tax preparation program. I had not heard of the United Way program. Will suggest it to my son who would certainly appreciate it.

I would love love to see the IRS become unecessary. Just hit me with a straight out percentage and make it fair.....I all for it.

[Aqua Blue]

Anyone know any free tax computer programs, mine is an easy file, no deductibles etc.. TIA

[kib]

I've been using TaxAct for a few years. If you can file a 1040EZ, it's free, otherwise $10 for a basic return and $15 for slightly more complex, $20 for their premium package. The free one includes a free state return, the others cost $15 for the state return. This is more expensive than it has been, I'm thinking there might be a better bargain out there.

[Ultralight]

I hire a Republican to do my taxes. Costs $50.

[Dhiana]

Saw that if one files 1040EZ or 1040A that they could file free through TurboTax.
I didn't check but I think one still needs to pay if they are filing state taxes?

[kib]

I have two questions about accountants:

1. how do they set their fees? I have a somewhat complex return, it's not crazy complicated but it includes about 6 schedules including rentals that go back at least a decade. I'm turning 50 shades of gray thinking of a $100 per hour fee to pore over a mistake - or two, or five - going back 10 years.

2. does an accountant require a paper trail? I know what I've paid - say for a rental expense - but I don't necessarily have the receipts at my fingertips. Example, a city garbage fee that's the same $ every month.

[Williamsmith]

The accountant I use has a base rate and charges for each additional schedule that has to be filed. I budget $100 -200 for preparation fees.

An an accountant will generally want paper trails but will default by telling you the IRS will be the one that asks you for the trail. You can get away without the documents but they will send you the audit or owning claim not the accountant.

[iris lilies]

Anyone know any free tax computer programs, mine is an easy file, no deductibles etc.. TIA
Check with your public library.

VITA volunteers have been helping people for free with their tax filings for years.

call and ask if they host a free tax preparation service.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Oh it's one of my goals sometime to have a good business relationship with an accountant, as with a doctor. I think it's necessary to even make decisions (like I have an employee stock purchase program that allows me to buy employer stock at a discount - good to participate or tax trouble?). You might say one should make financial decisions independent of tax consequences but frankly that's not the real world, one must always always be aware of the tax implications. So I see it as necessary as a business relationship with a doctor (in case something really goes wrong, you may need a specialist eventually, but for a GP you want not just random doctor but someone you trust right?). Some would say a financial adviser as well, some would say a lawyer (but I leave that to your discretion, I've not yet needed one).

But for now I have H&R Block's TaxCut program, it's a bit under $35 for the Premium package on Amazon (cheaper on Amazon than via H&R Block) which includes state.

[iris lilies]

I keep thinking one of these years I should try an accountant to be absolutely certain I've got it all right, but it's sort of like going to the Dr. - do I really want to know?
We havebeen using the same tax preparation firm for 26 years. Its now owned by a tax attorney, but I Doubt that she prepares our returns. Defnately a CPA does ours.

Over the years it has included multiple real estate deals including rentals and multiple financial instruments taxable and not taxable.

Their fee is astonishingly low, I think around $400. That is deductible, by the way.

but I also think that the fee is low because DH completes their worksheet in a tidy and thorough way.

[kib]

This from fatwallet.com

http://www.fatwallet.com/tax-software-deals/

[SteveinMN]

We have a CPA do ours. It has more than paid for itself in expertise that identifies deductions and credits (especially those that carry from year to year) that tax software did not (for us). We, too, are paying around $400 a year, based on a set fee and then time spent unraveling anything (be it the proverbial shoebox full of receipts or a knotty issues of tax law).

If one's return is simple enough to use 1040EZ or maybe even 1040A, there are some Web sites which allow simple filing of federal taxes for free. I've only ever filed state taxes in Minnesota, so I don't know if there is free state filing anywhere. I have not yet encountered it for Minnesota (or, likely, we just don't qualify for free assistance).

[freshstart]

turbo tax online usually offers the easy form for free, you might have to pay to e-send it

[awakenedsoul]

Check with your public library.

VITA volunteers have been helping people for free with their tax filings for years.

call and ask if they host a free tax preparation service.

I've been having my return done by VITA for the past five years. When I was self employed, I paid an accountant. Our local senior center brings in the volunteers each year. It's saved me so much money!

[freshstart]

my library did it for years through the United Way via AARP so it was only for seniors. Now anyone can go if they meet the criteria. Very generous of AARP

[jp1]

Saw that if one files 1040EZ or 1040A that they could file free through TurboTax.
I didn't check but I think one still needs to pay if they are filing state taxes?

In years past they charged for state, even if you had a 1040EZ for federal. Now that I can't file the EZ form I don't know for sure, but I'd assume they still do.

[cdttmm]

I look forward to the day when I can use VITA to file my taxes. I currently pay my CPA about $550 per year to complete my tax returns and file them. :(

[ToomuchStuff]

I hire a Republican to do my taxes. Costs $50.


So your wanting to be audited? (since they were targeting them a bit back)

I wish they would support other PDF programs, since Adobe dropped support for my OS years ago. (write in the forms now)