You can get TaxAct Premier (with 5 free fed and 1 free state filing) for $5 at Staples. Combine TaxAct, Quicken Starter Edition and McAfee Antivirus with a $25/$75 coupon. Quicken (with tax software) and McAfee are FAR.
ChefJoe
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 16, 2012 @ 8:58p
nycoroner said: FWIW, I did not see this mentioned yet so I wanted to throw it out. If you click through Bank of America's website, you can get 35% off TurboTax. You don't even have to be a BOA customer, I'm not and used it last year too. Bank of America 35% discount for TurboTax Nice, used that and eventually found a discounted version of TurboTax Basic for $12.95. The splash screen after the BofA discount jumps from Free to Deluxe but clicking the tab for personal taxes will show you the basic edition (fine for me, single, renter, sold two stocks this year so I can power through cap gains calculations without guidance, I just want to auto-import all my old turbo-tax info to speed up the process).
ChefJoe said: Nice, used that and eventually found a discounted version of TurboTax Basic for $12.95. The splash screen after the BofA discount jumps from Free to Deluxe but clicking the tab for personal taxes will show you the basic edition (fine for me, single, renter, sold two stocks this year so I can power through cap gains calculations without guidance, I just want to auto-import all my old turbo-tax info to speed up the process). I did a quick run through TurboTax Online Basic, Deluxe, and Premier.
Basic and Deluxe seemed the same, for my situation at least; they both have the same interface for entering stock transactions. (Deluxe might ask more questions about deductions that might apply to you, or give guidance for big events like you just bought a house or had a baby; none of those situations apply to me. Deluxe is also supposed to tell you if your audit risk is high.)
Premier seemed pretty similar to Deluxe; one difference is that for stock transactions, in addition to the wizard interface from Deluxe/Basic (which can be annoying if you have a lot of trades), there's an option to enter transactions in a spreadsheet interface (kinda funny that you have to pay more to get less "guidance"); though if importing that data from a brokerage maybe this interface doesn't matter much. Their website says Premier also "Uncovers deductions for rental property".
Also, for the desktop versions, there doesn't seem to be a Basic bundle of Federal + State; I only see that for Deluxe & above. So if doing a state return with TurboTax desktop, it's probably cheaper to get Deluxe Federal + State.
Amazon lowered the price of TT Deluxe + E-File + State to $39.79 today (both physical media and DL.) They also have a rebate-less $25.00 coupon when purchased/downloaded with Quicken.
HotSalami said: Amazon lowered the price of TT Deluxe + E-File + State to $39.79 today (both physical media and DL.) They also have a rebate-less $25.00 coupon when purchased/downloaded with Quicken.
Good post. All the tax software related information and great discussion in one place. I have used TurboTax, TaxAct and H&R Block person assisted and I found TurboTax the best.
apnagirish
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 18, 2012 @ 10:11p
Good post. All the tax software related information and great discussion in one place. I have used TurboTax, TaxAct and H&R Block person assisted and I found TurboTax the best.
Free File companies have their own eligibility criteria, but none offer Free File to taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income of more than $57,000. Other eligibility criteria may include your: age, state, eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and military status. Check the company's website for details because the companies' offers may differ. For example, some companies charge a fee for state tax returns and some may not support a particular form you need to file. Remember to begin your Free File return at IRS.gov or you may be charged a fee or asked to buy additional products and services. If, after browsing the list of companies, you need help go to Help Me Find a Free File Company.
ezTaxReturn.com:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Live in any state, except: AK, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, ME, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV and WY
eSmartTax By Liberty Tax Service:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age: 52 or younger, and Live in any state
FreeTaxUSA® IRS Free File Edition:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age: between 23 and 64, and Live in any state
Free1040TaxReturn:
Adjusted Gross Income: $42,000 or less, and Live in any state, except: DC, DE, FL, HI, ME, MT, ND, NH, NM, NV, RI, SD, TN, TX, VT, WA and WY, or Eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
FileYourTaxes.com:
Adjusted Gross Income: between $11,500 and $57,000, and Live in any state, except: MN and NH, or U.S. Citizens and resident aliens with foreign addresses
Online Taxes at OLT.com:
Adjusted Gross Income: between $12,050 and $57,000, and Live in any state or U.S. Citizens and resident aliens with foreign addresses
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age: 52 or younger, and Live in any state or U.S. Citizens and resident aliens with foreign addresses
Tax Simple:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age: 70 or younger, and Live in any state, except: AK, FL, NV, SD, TN, TX, WA and WY
yesicanefile.org:
Adjusted Gross Income: $29,000 or less, or Eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and Live in any state
TaxSlayer:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age: 25 or younger, or Active military, or Eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and Live in any state or U.S. Citizens and resident aliens with foreign addresses
1040NOW.NET:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age 72 or younger, and Live in any state, except: AK, FL, NH, NV, SD, TN, TX, WA and WY
Adjusted Gross Income: $31,000 or less, or Active military with an Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less, or Eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and Live in any state
1040.com Free File Edition:
Adjusted Gross Income: $57,000 or less, and Age: 52 or younger, and Live in any state or U.S. Citizens and resident aliens with foreign addresses
OnlineTaxPros.com:
Adjusted Gross Income: between $4,000 and $57,000, and Live in any state, except: AK, DC, FL, NH, NV, SD, TN, TX, WA and WY
junkdealer
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 8:49a
Found a good deal for residents of CT, CO, DE, HI, IL, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MT, NE, NJ, NM, PA, UT, WI. This beats the price for Tax Act and Tax Slayer, which look to be the lowest on the block (if you are active duty military, Tax Slayer will do them for free).
Link Coupon Code: $MA$HPRICE (valid through 2/5/12) Federal = $4 (w/ coupon) Free State Returns for CT, CO, DE, HI, IL, IA, KS, LA, MD, MA, MT, NE, NJ, NM, PA, UT, WI.
What they do is offer the links to the free state portals at the end of your federal. Would also be a good deal for all the non-income tax states, too.
enjoy!
nancyboy
Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 9:13a
Thanks, it works and save me money,much cheaper then eBay !
nancyboy
Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 9:17a
FWIW, I did not see this mentioned yet so I wanted to throw it out. If you click through Bank of America's website, you can get 35% off TurboTax. You don't even have to be a BOA customer, I'm not and used it last year too. Bank of America 35% discount for TurboTax
Thanks, it works and save me money,much cheaper then eBay !
nancyboy
Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 9:19a
nycorner said : FWIW, I did not see this mentioned yet so I wanted to throw it out. If you click through Bank of America's website, you can get 35% off TurboTax. You don't even have to be a BOA customer, I'm not and used it last year too. Bank of America 35% discount for TurboTax
Thanks, it works and save me money,much cheaper then eBay !
Adari
Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 3:35p
You can file a free tax return with the state of California, if you meet the qualifications.
An original 2011 return. You were a California resident for the entire year. Claiming 10 or fewer dependents. You owe Use Tax.
You cannot CalFile
An amended return. A return for someone who died. Requesting a military- or disaster-related extension. You have Health Savings Account (HSA) deductions or distributions. Your spouse/RDP was active duty military and was domiciled in a community property state other than California. Claiming a disaster loss. Claiming Mortgage Debt Relief. You filed federal form 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt). Capital gains or losses; business or farming income or loss (federal Schedule C, D, F). Income or loss from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, estates, trusts, REMICs, etc. (federal Schedule E).
Amount of Income
You can CalFile
Your federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be up to:
$166,565 if single or married/RDP filing separately $249,852 if head of household $333,134 if married/RDP filing jointly or qualifying widow(er).
DTASFAB
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 7:24p
jnheinz said: I think I'll grab my copy for $39 + FS.. no tax. Uhhhh, something about the bolded part doesn't seem totally correct.
RonR
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 7:56p
I just filed using TurboTax Freedom Edition online. It's totally free Federal as well as many states (AL, AR, AZ, GA, IA, ID, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV), if you qualify, including e-filing of both.
The screens are 100% identical to those in TurboTax Deluxe. The resulting forms and worksheets produced are 100% identical to those produced by TurboTax Deluxe.
roger4014
New Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 7:57p
For the last 3 years, I used Glenn Reeves' FREE income tax spreadsheet available at http://home.mchsi.com/~taxcalculator/ or at http://www.excel1040.com. (End of list) The spreadsheet gives me the comfort level since it looks like real IRS forms. I know where things should placed on forms. The spreadsheet does a nice job at calculating AMT, which I have to do every year. I do not like the tax software that asks questions like "Have you had a life changing event?"
The spread sheet does Schedule A – Itemized Deductions Schedule B – Ordinary Interest and Ordinary Dividends Schedule C – Profit or Loss from Business Schedule D – Capital Gains and Losses, along with its worksheet Schedule SE – Self-Employment Tax Form 2441 – Childcare and Dependent Care Expenses Form 6251 – Alternative Minimum Tax – Individuals Worksheets: Line 10 – State and Local Tax Refund Worksheet Lines 16a and 16b – Simplified Method Worksheet taxable annuities and pension benefits Lines 20a and 20b – Social Security Benefits Worksheet Line 32 – IRA Deduction Worksheet Line 42 – Deductions for Exemptions Worksheet Line 44 – Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet Line 52 – Child Tax Credit Worksheet Lines 64a and 64b – Earned Income Credit (EIC) W-2 input forms that support up to 4 employers for each spouse 1099-R Retirement input forms for up to 4 payers for each spouse SSA-1099 input form to record Social Security Benefits It also allows for overrides for certain inputs.
NoMoneyInMyWallet
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 21, 2012 @ 11:07p
RonR said: I just filed using TurboTax Freedom Edition online. It's totally free Federal as well as many states (AL, AR, AZ, GA, IA, ID, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV), if you qualify, including e-filing of both.
The screens are 100% identical to those in TurboTax Deluxe. The resulting forms and worksheets produced are 100% identical to those produced by TurboTax Deluxe.You qualify for FREE FEDERAL filing if any or all of the following apply:
You earned ... $31,000 or less {Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)} OR You were ... Active Duty Military in 2011 with an AGI of $57,000 or less OR You qualify for the ... Earned Income Credit (EIC)
usernamemax20charact
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 22, 2012 @ 12:30a
H&R Block At Home Deluxe Federal + State + Federal E-File 2011 at Best Buy
The price online still comes up as $44.99 when you add it to your shopping cart. Hopefully they update the price soon.
zklopman
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Jan. 22, 2012 @ 7:55a
A small warning: H&R Block have a known bug in their software for at least five years, which they refuse to fix. The bug is that when one is a full-time student and has some income (but lower than around $5000), child care expenses are only accounted for the income level, instead of the student's level. For the typical family with AGI of over $43000, this can mean over $1000 excess tax payment! To fix this, one needs to manually alter the results via the form access, which then prevents federal e-filing.
And they have known about this bug for years (it is in their troubleshoot guide), and yet they do not fix it.
SUB
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 22, 2012 @ 12:50p
usernamemax20charact said: H&R Block At Home Deluxe Federal + State + Federal E-File 2011 at Best Buy
$15 Best Buy gift card is instant according to web site (when you order online so should be same in store too).
Therefore, $34.99 - $15 Best Buy gift card - $10 MIR = $10
I wonder if they will accept the $10.00 coupon from Target, making it essentially free?
SidFarcus
Dismembered Member
posted: Jan. 22, 2012 @ 3:30p
For $34.99 - $15 BB GC - $10 MIR, I am in for one.
SUB
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 22, 2012 @ 3:38p
ratdog49640 said: usernamemax20charact said: SUB said: usernamemax20charact said: H&R Block At Home Deluxe Federal + State + Federal E-File 2011 at Best Buy
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
Members of our community may attach files to a post in accordance with the User Agreement. FatWallet is not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness or validity of any information contained in any attached file. Files have *not* been scanned for viruses. Be especially wary of Excel files which may contain malicious content.
One-time set up
Avoid the hassle of entering your information every time you buy.
•
Instant Cash Back tracking
Since we complete the purchase, we can credit your Cash Back immediately.
•
Buy with just two clicks
One click begins checkout and another confirms your purchase.
Once set up, making a purchase with FW checkout is a breeze. FatWallet Checkout confirms the after-tax
price plus shipping and, after you confirm, completes your purchase for you.
Shopping
Earn Cash Back while you shop - just 3 simple steps.
1. Sign Up so we know who to pay! (It's FREE.)
2. Shop through FatWallet for deals from your favorite stores. Your online purchases earn Cash Back that builds in your FatWallet account.
3. Get Paid by requesting a payment via check or PayPal.
FatWallet coupons help you save more when shopping online. Use our Coupons Search to browse coupons and offers from thousands of stores, gathered into one convenient location.
Forums
As part of our FatWallet Community, you can share deals with almost a million shoppers in our forums. Forum content is generated by consumers for consumers. Share deals, money-saving tips, and more. It's FREE, fun, and addicting.
Support
Our customer experience team is here around the clock - real people ready to assist.
