(Vanity) Newbie needs advice re: 2005 tax software

Dec 12, 2005 | Yankeedame

[yankeedame]

Hey gang!

Well, it finally happened: Hubby and I have decided to do our income taxes (state/fed) a la computer software + electronic filing.

Now all I need is to pick your brains for a suggestion as to which program I need. Our returns are very simple:
- mighty few, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary excemptions
- Also, b/c hubby is in auto sales, in addition to straight (taxed) income there are the (non-taxed) bonus checks

And that's it. Any and all suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks in advance!

--YD, The techno dinosaur

[Mikey_1962]

I have used several and found Turbotax the best, imho.

[areafiftyone]

I agree with Mickey_1962 TurboTax is the best!

[Not A Snowbird]

I've used Turbotax for years. I like it.

[stuartcr]

Same here, I've used it since it came out, and the one before it, since 1995.

[blau993]

I have done my taxes with TurboTax for nearly 15 years. It is the best by far. The first time you use it, you will probably want to use the interview format. Once you get some experience, you can skip that and just go right to the forms. Good luck!

[fredhead]

Unlike the first 15 replies, I have used H&R Block Tax Cut Deluxe (and State) for the past few years. Last year, did my federal and state taxes and had them filed in about an hour. I save the info on floppy and file it away along with the program CD's, then erase all data from my hard drive, followed by running Window Washer. Wouldn't want a hacker to get my tax info off my computer.

[ken5050]

FYI..if you use the "1962 Turbo tax" you'll probably end up with an audit

[areafiftyone]

If you use the 1993 TurboTax you end up in Ft. Marcy Park after the audit!

[exile]

As a CPA, I find most of the off the shelf personal tax prep software to be identical, so go with the cheapest. You may want to see a pro though, If hubby's getting commission checks, he might have to file a schedule C. At least, you'll want to consider if he has unreimbursed business expenses.

[hattend]

Yep, I used H&R Block's Tax Cut for 7 years. It works as good at TurboTax.

Now I have it done at a CPA just because my tax situation got more complicated and I don't trust my answering the software questions correctly..

[NormB]

Turbotax is very expensive.
I just found out about "TaxAct" and my wife and I are going to try that this year. It only costs $10. Excellent reviews also.