Comments for Global Investors

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by John

John — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:41:04 +0000

You should include an option for IRS Free File, which is probably of great interest to your readers. It’s at http://www.freefilefillableforms.com, run by the IRS itself and it’s online and completely free, but doesn’t do any checking at all that the numbers you fill in are correct–basically you’re doing your taxes the pen and paper way, but turning them in and paying electronically.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:45:26 +0000

I’ve been using TurboTax since 1994 (to file my 1993 taxes). Back then they had to send a CD every year, but it made it easier to start by importing the previous year’s return. Also, back then it was probably just a 1040a I printed out, but now if I had to file a hard copy it would be over 100 pages! Yippy for electronic filing, saving to a pdf, and importing last year’s return!

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by Vlad

Vlad — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:00:31 +0000

Although I answered “Filed on my own using pen and paper”, it will be second year we will be filing using IRS approved and referred to freefilefillableforms.com. We used to use HR Block software for several years, but with roll out of this site I don’t see the value in any paid tax software anymore. Our taxes aren’t complicated, but we still have mortgage and a few stock trades per year, nevertheless filling out IRS forms rather than using software wizard is just fine after going through it once.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by GregK

GregK — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:37:37 +0000

I hired an accountant. I own some rental property, and figuring out what can be expensed vs. amortized, etc… it gets complicated. I’m pretty confident I saved more than the $65 she charges, saved time and headaches, and I definitely feel more comfortable with a pro’s work than my own guesswork, and the guidance of a software program.

That said, I’ve used TurboTax, HRBlock and Tax Slayer in the past, when I was just filing a 1040EZ. It was easy, free, and I feel I got the refund I deserved. For uncomplicated tax returns, these are fine. If things get trickier, I think it’s worth having a professional who can see the whole picture and ask you pertinent questions take a look.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by LargeTalons

LargeTalons — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:45:17 +0000

I also use both TaxAct and TurboTax for verification purposes, but usually efile with TaxAct because it’s cheaper.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by Udo

Udo — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:17:50 +0000

I used Taxact instead of HrBLock because HRBlock doesn’t include all the IRS forms. They left out form 8891, for filing Canadian RRSP info. That forced me to do a ‘hybrid’ approach last year, filling in those forms manually, and filing by mail. TaxAct includes the forms.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by MattyG

MattyG — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:37:22 +0000

Have been using TurboTax online for the past few years and have to say that it has always been pretty painless. I got an affirmation this year when my wife had to begin attending some chamber of commerce meeting and a highly respected account said that she’d looks over our past years filings for free. She said that whatever we were doing, we were doing right, she could not find anything wrong at all.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by Duh

Duh — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:20:38 +0000

FreeFileFillableForms.com which is e-file 1040 forms for the federal worked well for me. Of course you need to know what you’re filling in, but it does most of the calculations for you as opposed to doing it by hand. Some states now have online forms as well.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by Christine

Christine — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:27:05 +0000

I’ve used TurboTax for years, and don’t think I can switch even if I wanted to, because all my Schedule C depreciation stuff is in the program. It would be hard to start from scratch with another company.

Comment on Poll: Which Tax Software Did You Use In 2011? by Dood

Dood — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:52:00 +0000

+1 for Freefilefillableforms… despite the horrible url.

It is quite improved this year, more auto calculations, and the servers seem impoved since instruction PDF forms loaded immediatley. I always do it there first, then I load up HR block or taxact and just check that i get the same final number as verification. Cost… $0