Lady Florida. Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 In the past I've used all of the big three - Turbotax, H&R Block, and Tax Act. In looking over reviews I see that Turbotax keeps increasing its fees but is still the easiest to use. So, what do you use and why? Is there some little known program that's just as good as (or better than) the well known ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I used both H&R Block and TurboTax. I used Turbo Tax first, then switched to H &R Block when it was free to us and still worked with our situation and when our taxes got too complex, I went back to Turbo Tax for a year or two. Eventually, even that program wasn't good enough for our tax situation and I moved over to using an accountant. We actually simplified our return and it may be simple enough again to use TurboTax but we have decided to just keep using the accountant. If you are comfortable with taxes, I think using any of the programs is possible if you have a relatively simple return. By that, I mean no small business, no farm, no strange investments that need weird forms, no out of country income. I did use TurboTax with my small business my first year but then I went to the accountant and he informed me that I really should have never filed forms as a small business because what I really had was a hobby business where I was spending more than I made but simply mad a little to offset the hobby. If you have a small business or something else more complicated, I think Turbo Tax is more capable of handling more complex situations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I used free fillable forms for federal and paper for state. My reasoning is I'm too cheap to spend money on filing my tax returns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I've used FreeTaxUSA for the past 8 years. We qualify for free federal filing and state filing is $12.95. Never any issues! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 TurboTax. I search for the best discount for TurboTax each year and usually end up paying a total of about $25, including electronically filing. That's worth it to me to make the chore as easy as possible. Our taxes are relatively simple but TurboTax really helps in leading me through some of the tax credits (AOTC, Lifetime Learning, energy efficiency credits, etc.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 (edited) I used Tax Act a long time ago, tried Turbo Tax one year, and then went right back to Tax Act. I just find it more user friendly, I guess. It was a long time ago now, so I don't remember the exact why's. I pay about $30 to do a heavy duty tax return (self-employed, ACA insurance, IRA/retirement, rental, kids/child care credit, lots of deductions, etc.). Edited February 21, 2017 by milovany 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Turbo Tax. DH is the tax guy in our family. He's been using it for years and years and doesn't see any reason to change. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachermom2834 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I have used Turbo Tax for years. I know there are cheaper options but it just so easy and our info is already there and I just haven't seen a need to switch. We have a couple in college and I have appreciated the software to sort out the education deductions/credits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Turbo Tax here as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadenceSophia Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 We use TurboTax and THEN send it to an accountant for certain parts (we have a permanent tricky issue that makes filing much more complicated that usual). TurboTax has been awesome for us, not just because of the ease of filing, but they were very helpful one year when we got audited and then this year there was a minor mistake in our taxes and TurboTax provided great support to get it worked out with the IRS. Highly recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgo95 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'm really happy with Taxact. I tried Turbotax one year but I don't remember why I didn't go back. Taxact was ~$30 for both federal and state returns and our taxes are not overly complicated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 We have always used HRBlock. We have a pretty complicated return, but have never had any problems. We get the middle level, which allows us to file up to five returns. It normally costs $44, but we get a $10 discount for some reason, making it $34. The lower level costs less, of course, but we have two semi-grown children, and sometimes my mom, so it's nice to be able to file for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypatia. Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I used TurboTax until a couple years ago when the price I needed for the version that helped with my Schedule C increased. I switched to H&R Block software when I filed my 2015 taxes and was happy with it, I used it again this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 We use TurboTax. It's easy, and I already have my refund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I use Turbotax. I've been using it since 1999 so eh, old habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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