Best tax software (accountant, refund, buying, money)

[HomeHuntress]

I've used several tax prep programs over the years and am still on the fence as to which I like best. Which do you all like the most?

Because I have an Accounting degree I don't want to go to a tax prep place.

[clutternize]

I used the online version of H&R Blocks Tax Cut and was really happy with it. They allow you to ask one free question of a tax consultant (which I did). The questions are intuitive and thorough.
I used to use the online consultant (where they go over the whole thing for you), but - to save money this year - I did it by myself. No problem.
Cost me about $50. Schedule C included.

[wheelsup]

I've used Turbotax and H&R Block Taxcut, personally I found Turbotax is better software but I bet both will get your taxes done with the same refund, it's the interface that you are buying.

Also after doing it online and then buying the software I found I personally liked having it installed on my computer, much faster clicking through, searching for forms, etc. I did like the feature in Taxcut that lets you jump to the form. Not sure if Turbotax does that with it's installed software or not.

[Trudy123]

I used TradeMax, it's a new software but has powerful funciton and favorable price. (www.itrademax.com)

[user_id]

What is so hard about downloading the forms and filing them out?

[billiken]

If you have an accounting degree, why do you need software? Software doesn't always get it right, by the way.

[70Ford]

Originally Posted by user_id

What is so hard about downloading the forms and filing them out?

I've done the forms, and I've done it with Turbo Tax. I did the ones with Turbo Tax while drinking tequila.
I don't think I could that with the regular forms. So, to answer the question, for those that hit a a whot of two of tequila while doing their taxes, Turbo Tax prepared taxes are more tequila proof.

[evilnewbie]

I use the "free" forms with efile... no income requirements, just fill out the 1040 and then efile... that's only for federal though... with states, some have their own electronic income tax forms (like PA) while others require a manual fill in...

[veuvegirl]

Turbo Tax is easy and gives you prompts to help you through the forms. You file online and the refund comes extraordinarily quickly.

[CTR36]

I've done both and see no real difference. I used TaxCut this year. I am an accountant as well and this is simpler b/c I just answer the questions and the software fills it all out for me, checks the math, etc.
Plus you get free efile with software, not so with hand written forms. Also, it is more time consuming for me to download forms since my DH is self employed and it pulled all the info from last year's return.