TAX SOFTWARE: WHICH ONE IS THE BEST??

[angkor]

I'll be shelling out dough to H&R Block again.

I'll second that, for all the reasons you mentioned.

[CrashCole]

Have used TaxCut for the last several years. It is simple and easily understood. Before that used TurboTax which was so unfriendly that I gave up on it.

[pctech]

Yeah, pretty much the same thing here until last year. I went on the IRS website about the only three programs they list are the three mentioned in this thread, TaxAct, TaxCut, and TurboTax.

[angkor]

No URL. The server's only accessible using TaxCut software.

[El Gran Salseron]

Go to http://www.zonelabs.com so that you can download then install later the freeware version of ZoneAlarm. Make sure you find the link for the freeware version. They try to hide the freeware link so that you'll be suckered, tricked or coerced into buying the "Pro" version. It's pretty straight forward. It blocks external intrusions and lets you control which programs access the internet.

Some other freeware programs of interest: ( Note that you'll have to look for the freeware version link. )

http://www.grisoft.com for freeware anti-virus software. I have found that this program will "capture" viruses before Norton does. You have to keep updating this program much like Norton or any other anti-virus software.

http://www.lavasoft.de for freeware Adaware. It scans and rids your system of spyware of which you may not be aware. You also have to keep updating this database much like anti-virus software.

http://www.panicware.com for a freeware pop up blocker.

Do a google search for Spyware Blaster. Get the genuine Spyware Blaster. It blocks spyware before the fact. It also has to be updated.

If you are running WinXP Pro you can disable Windows Messenger, ( not to be confused with MSN Messenger Service, ) which will stop a lot of the pop ups. It is essentially useless for home users that are not on a network/domain.

[pctech]

Figures, hmm, well I just might get the software then, that's another plus in their favor I guess.

[upcountryhorseman]

I find that "Taxslayer" is great, I have used it for three
years. It is very inexpensive also.

[TommyDale]

Yes, Intuit makes TurboTax. Some here have referred to Quicken as a tax program, in error. Quicken, also a product from Intuit, is only for personal finance recordkeeping, not taxes.

[TommyDale]

The loss amount is deducted as a "casualty loss" on Schedule A.

[goodnesswins]

Thanks so much.

[FNU LNU]

This won't be for everyone, but if you do your own taxes, and are comfortable with Excel, make a worksheet for each form you use, with line numbers: for example, I have 2003-1040, 2003 Sched A, 2003 Sched C, 2003 Sched SS, etc. Then the same sheets for future years. You can link various cells on these worksheets to your income and investment sheets, etc., so when you update them, your estimates of taxes due will be automatically updated.

The advantage of using a spreadsheet is that you can forecast your income and taxes for as far in the future as you like. On the first of Dec each year, I go to the irs.gov site and download the next year's Pub 15 Circular E to get the withholding rates for the next year.

Been doing it this way for years, no need to buy tax software upgrades.

Like I say, it's not for everybody, but some will like it. Also, I live in a state with no income tax, and that helps.

[pctech]

"Taxslayer"???? Never heard of that one, can you provide a link??

[pctech]

Just want to keep this going for anyone who might be online now. Looking for the best tax preparation software out there. So far I've got TaxAct, TaxCut, TurboTax, and Tax Slayer. Anyone else got any suggestions???

[B4Ranch]

I have heard a couple of times that if you file taxes via the Internet there's a good chance your taxes will end up in India being outsourced.

[OldPossum]

I stopped using TurboTax as of last year. They really should have Americans intimately familiar with the English language write some of the key stuff. When reviewing my return, I got some language which suggested that they had already filed my return without me signing off on it! Looking closer at the wordage, I could see that it had been written by a foreigner not accustomed to nuances in English.

Never again!

[ServesURight]

Tax Software: Which one is best?

Paper, pencil, and a calculator. Save your money - why convenience the feds anymore than you have to?

P.S. - Don't forget to mail your taxes at 11:59 p.m., April 14th.

[pctech]

I don't use TurboTax and wouldn't recommend it either. Looks like it's down to TaxCut or TaxAct for me. Lots of folks have been suggesting paper and pencil and while it is cheaper I need the return as fast as I can get it. Thanks to everyone who have replied to this thread.

[upcountryhorseman]

Go to Taxslayer.com I think its a great program, especially
for getting tax refunds fast. Its very user friendly and
inexpensive.

[pctech]

I checked that out and I like what I see. I just may check them out in 15 days, that's when they say folks can file for returns.