Can a dumbass like me do my own taxes?

[amdhunter]

I think I am a pretty frikkin somewhat intelligent guy. Can I just buy a piece of software off the shelf (actually turbotax download from their site) and do my own damn taxes?

Everyone is telling me I should leave the taxes to the pros. Whats the diff between doing it yourself or letting some joe schmo on the street do it for you?

 

[Captante]

Yes you can do them easily ... I used to use Turbo-Tax & it works well, but last year I switched to H&R Block tax-cut which I somwhat prefer.

 

[jlee]

How much stuff do you have to do? If you have a filing cabinet full of writeoffs, it might take a while. If you're just taking a W2 and filing your taxes, it's not difficult..I did mine online for free via Turbotax last year.

 

[Nitemare]

Have you got anything more than a few W-2's and forms from the bank?

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Have you got anything more than a few W-2's and forms from the bank?

All I have is my W2 and one dependant. I dont have any home, business or any other weird expenses.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Have you got anything more than a few W-2's and forms from the bank?

All I have is my W2 and one dependant. I dont have any home, business or any other weird expenses.

you can get a 1040-ez form and do it by hand in like 10 min, or u can do the software kind in like 30...


it's retardedly ez

 

[isekii]

www.taxact.com

cheap and quick.

I used them instead of Taxcuts this year.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: isekii
www.taxact.com

cheap and quick.

I used them instead of Taxcuts this year.

heard the commercial and might give them a try this year as well

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: isekii
www.taxact.com

cheap and quick.

I used them instead of Taxcuts this year.

Do they offer downloadable software, I kinda don't want to put info online.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: isekii
www.taxact.com

cheap and quick.

I used them instead of Taxcuts this year.

Do they offer downloadable software, I kinda don't want to put info online.

looks like it is all online, but it is a secure site. If you wanted software, taxcut or turbotax

 

[loup garou]

A W2 and one dependent? You'll be done in an hour, tops.
I've used TaxACT for the past 3 years, entirely online. Simple, cheap, easy. Click on the old lady handing out HJs below this thread.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: loup garou
A W2 and one dependent? You'll be done in an hour, tops.
I've used TaxACT for the past 3 years, entirely online. Simple, cheap, easy. Click on the old lady handing out HJs below this thread.

Would it be more profitable to go to a place like H and R, or is it the same thing essentially. (Just curious, I am almost positive I am going to do it myself this year.)

 

[alkemyst]

With software anyone should be able to do their taxes short of complicated businesses.

Most people should be able to bang out a 1040 as well if they just read it.

 

[ElFenix]

you can do your taxes by hand faster than you can sign up for one of the free online tax services.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

I recommend Taxact as well. Been using their download software for years now. Last year I used Taxcut but it was the same options, same everything as Taxact. Taxact software is free and so is the E-file. You can't go wrong.

 

[Demo24]

I believe the IRS has recommendations on their website for tax programs and I think some are free to use. I believe thats what my mom did last year as she had some issues with H&R block.

 

[Dunbar]

Ya, you don't even need to pay for the software if your adjusted gross income is less than $54,000. Check out the list of "freefile" sites here. But I agree that if you don't own a home and can use the 1040EZ it's probably quicker just to do it "the old fashioned way."

 

[Slew Foot]

A good CPA is the best money I ever spent. But if you're a college student or something with no dependents or deductions and not much income, then it deosnt really matter. If you're a 1099 employee I would suggest a CPA as they can get you some deductions you wouldnt normally think of.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: isekii
www.taxact.com

cheap and quick.

I used them instead of Taxcuts this year.

Do they offer downloadable software, I kinda don't want to put info online.

looks like it is all online, but it is a secure site. If you wanted software, taxcut or turbotax

Negative, they have downloadable version for $19.99.

Those H&R Block people are clueless. They just hire people who have no idea about taxes and just have them go through their software, so I am sure you can do your's.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: loup garou
A W2 and one dependent? You'll be done in an hour, tops.
I've used TaxACT for the past 3 years, entirely online. Simple, cheap, easy. Click on the old lady handing out HJs below this thread.

Would it be more profitable to go to a place like H and R, or is it the same thing essentially. (Just curious, I am almost positive I am going to do it myself this year.)

I think that if you have a lot of deductions to make, and you want to itemize them, then it'll be a hassle. Also, if you're making a load of money, then H&R Block might be worth it to you. Doing a 1040EZ online is extremely simple. Plug in numbers off of your W2's, click Next a bunch of times, and you're done.

State and local taxes will be different. In Pennsylvania, you can file your taxes right at the state's own website. (Why the IRS hasn't done something similar is a mystery to me. Maybe they don't want to put tax software companies out of business, out of fear of [more] death threats?)


And dammit I'm still waiting on my W2's.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I am in the same situation, I bought a condo this year, so I am not sure if I should go the H and R route, or just do it myself.

 

[ChefJoe]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
In Pennsylvania, you can file your taxes right at the state's own website. (Why the IRS hasn't done something similar is a mystery to me. Maybe they don't want to put tax software companies out of business, out of fear of [more] death threats?)

IRS was going to roll their own software and then the current software makers cut a deal with the IRS to avoid having their businesses shut down.

From the IRS website:

What is Free File?

Free File is a free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing program for eligible taxpayers, developed through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. You may access free commercial online tax preparation and electronic filing services through the IRS.gov website.

Eligible taxpayers may prepare and file their federal income tax returns using commercial online software provided by the Free File Alliance companies - not the IRS. Since Free File's debut in 2003, more than 19.2 million returns have been filed through the program saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
Who is eligible to use Free File?

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I think I am a pretty frikkin somewhat intelligent guy. Can I just buy a piece of software off the shelf (actually turbotax download from their site) and do my own damn taxes?

Everyone is telling me I should leave the taxes to the pros. Whats the diff between doing it yourself or letting some joe schmo on the street do it for you?

when doing your taxes online, all you really do is just fill w-2 section, then answer some question, then it figures out the rest for ya.

 

[JRich]

Did mine online in about 10 minutes.

 

[Ballatician]

yea I need to figure this out too