Comments on: Money Poll #6: Tax Preparation http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:49:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Jade http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-127269 Jade Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:10:25 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-127269 Well nobody has commented here in a while, but I feel like throwing my two cents in anyway: I work for H&R Block, and I know how SkyeBlue feels about Block and their scams. That's why I'm keeping my ears open for a part-time seasonal tax prep job, and in the meantime I try to avoid being in the office while they're pushing their Emerald Advance (essentially a refund anticipation loan, but more like a W-2 anticipation loan. Ugh!), among their other scams... Although if I ever left Block, I would have to admit that I would miss the cheap (nearly free) continuing education every year... And as for how I do my taxes... pencil and paper. It's easier when you only have 1-2 W-2's than to deal with the software at Block that is designed for first-year tax preparers who don't know much about taxes or computers. Not to mention all the other info Block wants to pry out of you just to get your taxes done... Well nobody has commented here in a while, but I feel like throwing my two cents in anyway:

I work for H&R Block, and I know how SkyeBlue feels about Block and their scams. That’s why I’m keeping my ears open for a part-time seasonal tax prep job, and in the meantime I try to avoid being in the office while they’re pushing their Emerald Advance (essentially a refund anticipation loan, but more like a W-2 anticipation loan. Ugh!), among their other scams… Although if I ever left Block, I would have to admit that I would miss the cheap (nearly free) continuing education every year…

And as for how I do my taxes… pencil and paper. It’s easier when you only have 1-2 W-2’s than to deal with the software at Block that is designed for first-year tax preparers who don’t know much about taxes or computers. Not to mention all the other info Block wants to pry out of you just to get your taxes done…

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2776 Jeremy Sat, 01 Apr 2006 03:29:29 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2776 I do taxes twice (I'm a glutten for punishment) - once by hand and once with the software. I've found more than once that the software misses some deductions as does my pencil method. By doing it twice, I can then merge the data to minimize the tax burden. I do taxes twice (I’m a glutten for punishment) – once by hand and once with the software. I’ve found more than once that the software misses some deductions as does my pencil method. By doing it twice, I can then merge the data to minimize the tax burden.

]]> By: RS http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2768 RS Fri, 31 Mar 2006 20:03:52 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2768 Turbo Tax it is for us. Tried an accountant last year and owed $6000...pretty sure that we could have figured that out on our own. Turbo Tax it is for us. Tried an accountant last year and owed $6000…pretty sure that we could have figured that out on our own.

]]> By: Matt http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2684 Matt Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:20:26 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2684 I did mine with pen and paper until it became possible to e-file. Now I use H&R Block Online. (Never been inside their office, nor wanted to.) If it were possible for individuals to e-file their own taxes, I'd go back to doing it myself...I could actually finish the job quicker by using the forms than by going through those stupid "wizard" tools they've got to help ignorant people. But the IRS doesn't yet allow individuals to e-file directly, so I have to use somebody else's software. I did mine with pen and paper until it became possible to e-file. Now I use H&R Block Online. (Never been inside their office, nor wanted to.)

If it were possible for individuals to e-file their own taxes, I’d go back to doing it myself…I could actually finish the job quicker by using the forms than by going through those stupid “wizard” tools they’ve got to help ignorant people. But the IRS doesn’t yet allow individuals to e-file directly, so I have to use somebody else’s software.

]]> By: gt http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2678 gt Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:21:29 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2678 OT: but hey, i'd be interested in a dry cleaning poll.. my coworker was just telling me how he went to drop off some shirts and the lady went to charge him some 220 large. confused, he's like whatdaya mean? she comes back with a fistful of clothes he forgot to ever pick up for an entire month. oops! little did he know i was laughing AT him. doofus OT: but hey, i’d be interested in a dry cleaning poll.. my coworker was just telling me how he went to drop off some shirts and the lady went to charge him some 220 large. confused, he’s like whatdaya mean? she comes back with a fistful of clothes he forgot to ever pick up for an entire month. oops! little did he know i was laughing AT him. doofus

]]> By: Dee http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2676 Dee Wed, 29 Mar 2006 21:36:06 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2676 I think I'm quite smart and have always done my taxes the hard way, using a pen and calculator. About 5 years ago I used Turbo Tax, I actually got more money doing it manually! A friend recommended an accountant 3 years back. Since the guy came with stellar recommendations, I decided to use him. It was the best thing I've ever done. He found deductions I didn't even know of and I've gotten more money than I ever have. I'm self employed with a home office and hiring an accountant is the best thing I've done. His services definitely pay for itself. I think I’m quite smart and have always done my taxes the hard way, using a pen and calculator. About 5 years ago I used Turbo Tax, I actually got more money doing it manually! A friend recommended an accountant 3 years back. Since the guy came with stellar recommendations, I decided to use him. It was the best thing I’ve ever done. He found deductions I didn’t even know of and I’ve gotten more money than I ever have. I’m self employed with a home office and hiring an accountant is the best thing I’ve done. His services definitely pay for itself.

]]> By: financialreflections http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2653 financialreflections Tue, 28 Mar 2006 17:02:59 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2653 I love TurboTax. I tried doing my State taxes manually after using Turbo for Federal. Man, was that a lot of work! I buy the disk at the store and off I go. I love TurboTax. I tried doing my State taxes manually after using Turbo for Federal. Man, was that a lot of work! I buy the disk at the store and off I go.

]]> By: SkyeBlue http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2649 SkyeBlue Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:23:34 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2649 We have been using H & R Block to prepare our taxes for the past few years, and have been quite pleased with their service. But after hearing recently about the little scam they were pulling on low income people, getting them to sign up for some kind of retirement account or something similar, where the undisclosed fees were so high that the participants would lose money, I don't feel we should do business with a company like that anymore. We have been using H & R Block to prepare our taxes for the past few years, and have been quite pleased with their service. But after hearing recently about the little scam they were pulling on low income people, getting them to sign up for some kind of retirement account or something similar, where the undisclosed fees were so high that the participants would lose money, I don’t feel we should do business with a company like that anymore.

]]> By: Emma http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2648 Emma Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:16:59 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2648 We use to do it on our own with TurboTax. But, with my business, a business loss from 2 years ago, and many more deductions than before, we have an accountant that handles them. It's easier for everybody. We use to do it on our own with TurboTax. But, with my business, a business loss from 2 years ago, and many more deductions than before, we have an accountant that handles them. It’s easier for everybody.

]]> By: Gail http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2639 Gail Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:23:22 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2639 I use TaxActOnline.com, which is one of the sites that the IRS provides to offer free online tax preparation. I worked for H&R Block, so I feel comfortable with doing my own taxes. I used this software a few years ago and it had a few glitches, but I am pleased to report that I found it quite user-friendly and comprehensive this year. I didn't find any glitches. And best of all--it's free! And for those who think they may have tax questions, did you know that you can call any H&R Block office and ask any tax professional your tax questions, and they will answer you whether you are a Block client or not. So--free software--free tax advice. What more could you want? I use TaxActOnline.com, which is one of the sites that the IRS provides to offer free online tax preparation. I worked for H&R Block, so I feel comfortable with doing my own taxes. I used this software a few years ago and it had a few glitches, but I am pleased to report that I found it quite user-friendly and comprehensive this year. I didn’t find any glitches. And best of all–it’s free! And for those who think they may have tax questions, did you know that you can call any H&R Block office and ask any tax professional your tax questions, and they will answer you whether you are a Block client or not. So–free software–free tax advice. What more could you want?

]]> By: Patty http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2637 Patty Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:16:53 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2637 For the past 8 years or so I've used turbotax. Last 2 years used online prep when doing my kids and turbotax for me. But before submitting the kids online returns I ran their info thru my turbotax program as a double check. This year I didn't bother buying turbotax but have done all of ours online. Was comfortable with the online last year and figured why spend $40 fo turbotax. For the past 8 years or so I’ve used turbotax. Last 2 years used online prep when doing my kids and turbotax for me. But before submitting the kids online returns I ran their info thru my turbotax program as a double check.
This year I didn’t bother buying turbotax but have done all of ours online. Was comfortable with the online last year and figured why spend $40 fo turbotax.

]]> By: Chitown http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2635 Chitown Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:08:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2635 Ironically enough I volunteer for the IRS doing taxes for the elderly and low income every week from Feb 1 - April 15 yet I use a CPA to do my own. With a home based office and multiple schedules I feel better knowing that everything is being reviewed by a second pair of eyes. Ironically enough I volunteer for the IRS doing taxes for the elderly and low income every week from Feb 1 – April 15 yet I use a CPA to do my own. With a home based office and multiple schedules I feel better knowing that everything is being reviewed by a second pair of eyes.

]]> By: Hal http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2631 Hal Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:53:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2631 I use tax prep software. It makes things so much easier if for nothing else it tells you what forms you need and prints them for you. And for the detail that might surprise you, I am a CPA! Gives you an idea of how confusing our tax system is when a certified professional prefers to use tax prep software. =) I use tax prep software. It makes things so much easier if for nothing else it tells you what forms you need and prints them for you.

And for the detail that might surprise you, I am a CPA! Gives you an idea of how confusing our tax system is when a certified professional prefers to use tax prep software. =)

]]> By: MoneyDummy http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/comment-page-1/#comment-2630 MoneyDummy Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:51:41 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2006/03/27/money-poll-6-tax-preparation/#comment-2630 First I use an online service (usually completed by Feb. 1). Then on Feb. 2 I go to a discount tax prep service to see if they can get me a bigger return. If they can, I go with them. If they can't, I go home and complete the filing on my own. The whole thing is usually done by Feb. 3. First I use an online service (usually completed by Feb. 1). Then on Feb. 2 I go to a discount tax prep service to see if they can get me a bigger return. If they can, I go with them. If they can’t, I go home and complete the filing on my own. The whole thing is usually done by Feb. 3.

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