Why I Chose H&R Block Over TurboTax?

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It was a typical tax season for me where the deadline to file taxes was 3 days away and for obvious reasons I was panicking. Now it was pretty clear to me that I wanted to use a Tax Software since I wasn’t exactly in a position to afford professional help. That’s when i was hit with this dilemma whether to go with TurboTax or H&R Block?

(In a Hurry? You can setup your free account with H&R Block by using this special link)

Well I won’t lie to you, I was definitely attracted to go with TurboTax initially because of so much hype surrounding it and their marketing it pretty awesome. But then I am the kind of guy who researches a lot before buying something. So I started researching, I read lots of forums, reviews, blog posts and what not.

In the end I concluded that H&R Block is definitely the way to go. Not only is TurboTax over hyped but it has a lot of flaws which I wont get into at this moment. Lets just say I saw a lot of people complaining about it. On top of that H&R Block has so many benefits like:

  • To begin with “I got the BIGGEST REFUND by using their Free Edition“. It was the best feeling in the world.
  • Its Free To Prepare
  • Its Free To Print
  • Its Free to E – File
  • They offer exceptional support for Free
  • You can get Free Advice from their panel of Experts
  • You get Free Audit Support and Representation from an Enrolled Agent only on H&R Block
  • 100% Accuracy is Guaranteed
  • Maximum Refund is Guaranteed (As I mentioned I got the biggest refund ever when I switched to H&R Block)
  • Their User Interface is so easy to use. I have used other Tax Software’s before but I just end up getting confused. This one was really easy to use.

I would definitely recommend that you setup an account with them for FREE by Clicking Here.

Once you have created your account (which is completely free) you will be realize how incredibly easy it is. Not only that you will be able to get instant support, expert advice and what not.

But more importantly you will be able to read real user reviews (not the fake ones that u see online) describing the awesome experience they had with H&R Block and how they got Big Refunds.

Get H&R Block for Free by Clicking on This Link

TurboTax – Is It For Me?

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Is TurboTax the Solution to your Tax Problems?

turbotaxThere is a reason that TurboTax remains king of the hill in the tax prep world. For any Joe Schmoe or Joe the Plumber for that matter, TurboTax has impressed with its’ simple and easy to use interface. Sure you may pay a bit of a premium for the name, but for those that want the simplest and easiest to use experience; TurboTax is the choice to pick. TurboTax offers either the desktop software installation or also a complete online filing experience. It’s important to point out the various versions of TurboTax: Basic, Deluxe, Premiere, Home & Business.  Once again, each offers its’ own online preparation method or a software download.

Prices range from the more reasonable $19.95 and go up to $99.95 for you business owners out there. One of the greatest things about TurboTax is its ease of use as it lets you import data which is a great time saver for those of you that hate tedious data entry. However, there is one caveat as TurboTax can only import W-2s and 1099s and other such documents from participating organizations. If you plan that route, be sure to check online to see if your company is listed there. One other great little feature is its’ link up with Mint.com and Its Deductible as both are owned by Intuit.

Installation of the desktop software remains pretty basic and will only take 10-20 minutes of your time to install and update. Keep in mind that one advantage of the desktop version is the ability to import up to five different returns.

After setup you will be greeted by a questionnaire and short interview process to point you in the right direction and for those of us (mainly me) that remain clueless and error prone, there is a handy error reporting feature on the go as well. Though a nuisance at times, it’s better safe than sorry and I found the reporting to really help smooth over my final review process.

So Which TurboTax Version is for me?

So you’re probably wondering what exactly is the right version for yourself. To sum it up, Basic is for those with one source of income and minimal investments, mainly those younger single working adults. If you find yourself a little more investment savvy, have gotten married, purchased property, etc.  then the Deluxe version is probably a better bet. Premier will be for those finding themselves as landlords and renting or subletting to others or maintaining a wide and diverse investment portfolio. Lastly Home & Business is essentially for the self-employed.  If this still hasn’t helped you to decide which option is the best for you, check out TurboTax online and read a little more up on it.

Online or Desktop: Plain and simple, store data locally or via encrypted methods on your provider’s end. For single user filing, I’d recommend online methods but for multiple users, I’d definitely go with the software download as it can file up to five Federal E-files per license.

Drawbacks of TurboTax

Drawbacks: The major drawback to be found is one simple thing; it doesn’t offer a real set of eyes to personally double check your work. While nothing can replace an experienced tax filer, this software does an excellent job at replacing individuals at a much more palatable cost. However, if extra help is needed, TurboTax offers personalized help, but expect to pay a little extra in fees. As the leading tax prep software it also carries a higher price tag, so bargain hunters beware. Personally, to me a few extra bucks is worth shelling out to make sure everything is alright with Uncle Sam.

Conclusion:
TurboTax once again remains the clear choice winner for you self-filing tax preparers out there as it offers the widest range of features and the easiest to use  streamlined interface. Whether you’re an experienced TurboTax pro or a beginner, your experience should be easy though not enjoyable (Kudos to anyone that can make the filing process fun).

Turbotax 2011 – Leading Tax Preparation Software?

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TurboTax 2011 – Is it going to save you money this year?

turbotax 2011When it comes to that time of the year when the tax man comes a calling, we all face the inevitable, how am I going to find time to file my tax return and how am I going to do it? For those of you that file with a CPA, CFP or something of the sort, I understand that convenience may be the largest factor. For those that decide to do it on his or her own, cost may be a factor. Though there are many more reasons to choose either way, the aim of this article is to focus on the advantages and disadvantages of both.

To begin, filing through a professional is of course going to guarantee that the tax preparation and filing will be accurate. If not, at least there is a finger to point and the problem or inaccuracies can be remedied free of cost. However, with a tax professional how invested is that person in saving you the maximum amount of money possible? Or will they instead be more interested in volume of customers for the season. Granted it is nice to give up your information to someone else and have them do the work, but the filing process has become much simpler and easier in recent years. Also, what are the prices that you are going to be paying the certified professional for their ‘expert’ service and tax advice?

Lastly, have you ever driven through a lower income neighborhood and noticed how prominent the tax service offices are? Think, are these professionals here to help people file their taxes, or make an easy inflated dollar providing a service that can be done with a little effort on your own.

TurboTax 2011 – Does it make e-filing easier?

With the advent of the internet and e-filing these days, filing taxes on your own has become much easier and simplified. For example, Turbotax 2011, the leading tax preparation software, offers its’ own tax filing service, with basic step by step guidance online. It even offers a free service! For those with more complicated taxes such as owning major assets or businesses, having multiple dependents, etc. there are more advanced and involved versions to purchase. As software like Turbotax updates every year, you can guarantee that filing taxes online, and filling out the tax forms will be up to date and easy as possible.  To make matters better, the service is provided at a third of the cost ranging from free e-filing of online tax returns to business solutions for less than one hundred dollars! Depending on the package that you purchase through Turbotax 2011 you can also have a certified Turbotax professional overlook your return to double check all of your work.

The advantages of self-filing far outweigh the traditional methods of handing it over to a professional as one learns to handle his or her own affairs. The better you understand the system, the better you can work with the tax filing procedure. Given that costs are also relatively cheap, it makes more sense to educate yourself on your own returns and also to save money. After all, isn’t everyone’s main concern when it comes to filing their annual tax returns, how can I save the most money?

How to File a Tax Return?

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I know the very title of this article makes you want to close down your internet browser and put on the tv instead, but we all know that the dreaded tax season is one of those must be done things come that time of year. If you’re anything like me, you’re about as clueless as a fish on land and you just want to drive to the nearest Tax office and have it done for a nominal fee.

However, if you have a little bit of patience and willing to take a few simple steps, not only will you have time and money, but you will figure out how to be more responsible than ever before. In this day and age, filing your tax return is easier than ever through e-filing processes. There are numerous online tax filing services that can help you out, sometimes free of cost. So why avoid unfiled returns and back taxes when you can do it all from the comfort of your home!

First thing, gather up the paperwork that you receive such as your yearly W-2 or 1099, if you still don’t have it. First call up your employer or the IRS to double check and have it sent over to you. Next, you’ll need to dig up your yearly records of expenses.

Though it seems like such a pain in the short term, in the long run, saving your expenses will prove vital to maximizing your tax return! Such records include business calls, equipment purchases, licensing fees, medical expenses, charitable contributions, etc.

Next, take your pick of the e-filing company that you’d like to work with. If you make less than $54,000 USD a year, then you may qualify for free online filing through IRS approved sites like Intuit’s Turbotax or H & R Block. Also given the IRS’s well laid out site on tax filing, any questions that you may have can easily be answered there. By going to the IRS website you can click the “Link to Free Online Filing” and then go to Choose Company. You will then see a list of tax prep sites and services to be used. They will also provide each of their offers so you can decide which is the best for you. Make your choice, create your account, and let the software guide you along.

Given tax software’s step by step process, it may be worth a nominal fee to have the tax software guide you through the entire process just in case.

Lastly why should you e file? Because according to the IRS, it will cut the delivery of your refund time in half! That alone is worth the effort! Happy e-filing!

What is TurboTax?

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Have you realized just a bit late that tax season is coming up and Uncle Sam wants his share of the proverbial pie? Well instead of heading out to your nearest tax specialty office and laying down a hundred bucks or more, why not try doing it on your own? This is where TurboTax by Intuit, the leading self-preparation income tax software, comes into play. TurboTax has been providing its’ services since the mid-1980s so no wonder it’s a major player in today’s market.

TurboTax has four different versions for the client with any sort of need, ranging from: Free Basic, Deluxe, Premiere, Home & Business, and Business. TurboTax offers two ranges, their desktop software to be installed locally on your PC, or an online browser based version which uses their secure servers.  The Free edition is for simple tax solutions like filing 1040EZ forms and anything of the like. The Deluxe edition is for those with families, medical expenses, or own property. Premier focuses on people with investments and other rental properties. Home & Business is for sole proprietors, and lastly Business is for corporations and partnerships.

Regardless of who you are, turbo tax offers step by step guidance to the yearly income tax filing process. Much like a GPS system for tax filing! With a simple questionnaire and interview, they will be able to assess your needs and help you prepare your filing as if an agent was doing it for you in person. Turbotax is so confident in its software that its’ calculations are guaranteed to be 100% accurate and they will guarantee a maximum refund on your annual return.  As the US’s leading income tax filing software and with over 100 million returns filed, it is hard to argue against Turbotax’s impressive claims.

For simpler W-2 forms and 1099s, Turbotax can even directly import information from over 100,000 different companies and automatically place them in the correct spots in just a matter of a few clicks. Turbotax also features an online thriving Live Community that can answer any question or query that you may have.

As the leading name in Income Tax software, it is hard to go wrong with Intuit’s Turbotax.