How Do Your Taxes Get Done? Have You Filed Yet?

A. After the costly fiasco last year - do my own (both Fed & State) on the free fillable sites. Save copies to .pdf files & print all at the library. No cost except the price of stamps/envelopes & library copies. Have got & spent refunds, mailed Feb 28th. Took < 8 weeks. I don't use the IRS or state as savings accounts.
Be careful using public computers for such personal information.
https://www.webroot.com/blog/2019/0...n-public-computers-stays-on-public-computers/
 

I’m self employed so I pay quarterly. I’ve set up an automatic withdrawal from my checking account into a specific savings account each week, my IRS account. I’ve also set up automatic IRS payments from that account 4 times a year through EFTPS (electronic federal tax payment system) who withdraw the specified amount on the specified date.

I have an accountant who prepares my taxes and files them electronically. I make sure my quarterly payments are generous so so never owe anything, and each year have gotten a refund.

For years I did them myself and mailed them in, but a few years ago I decided I could afford the luxury of having that headache off my plate, so ever since I’ve been paying my guy to do them. It’s been a good decision!
Smart moves Ronni !
 
I have been using online FreeTaxUSA for several years now. It is easy to use and don't charge you for certain things like others where you have to upgrade for a fee. You can get email support for free, chat support for low fee and full support for around $40. Check it out to see if this fits your needs.
Becky it was my understanding when I checked out free filing services in the past that I couldn't use them because I have investments and need to generate the forms that accompany dividends, gains, etc., so mine are not considered "simple" tax returns. Do you do your state taxes via that service too, or do you have to go to your state's website?
 
Hi,
I posted a reply yesterday but not sure if it went through.

I also have investments and have no problem with forms. That is one of the things other free help requires you to upgrade.

I live in Florida and do not have a state tax. That is also available but you may have to pay a fee to file that.

Check out their website, it doesn't cost anything to do that.
 
We use a CPA. I have zip idea on how to handle the taxes on our portfolio, LOL. While we were working I did all the financial stuff including taxes, but when we retired I told my spouse, "That's it - we use a pro from now on. I am not dealing with distribution instructions to brokers and figuring out what's taxable and what isn't."

Our financial advisory firm manages our distributions to be tax-efficient, and our CPA says they do a very good job, making her job easier!
 
Hi,
I posted a reply yesterday but not sure if it went through.

I also have investments and have no problem with forms. That is one of the things other free help requires you to upgrade.

I live in Florida and do not have a state tax. That is also available but you may have to pay a fee to file that.

Check out their website, it doesn't cost anything to do that.
You posted that the upgrade costs $40. But I'm confused because of this sentence "I also have investments and have no problem with forms." So does that mean you didn't have to pay for the upgrade even though you have investments? I pay around $35 for H & R Block but my grandson who also has investments, uses the program and splits the cost with me. Hopefully when I check out the website, I'll bookmark it and actually remember about it a year from now! :) Thank you.
 
Correct, no upgrade needed for investments, however, I did upgrade to Deluxe version for $7.99 so I could have live chat. That upgrade was not necessary for investment help.

The $40 (maybe $30 something) upgrade gives you full support with professionals and help with audits and such. I think you have to start a return to see the advantages for that but it does not mean you have to file with them.
 
Correct, no upgrade needed for investments, however, I did upgrade to Deluxe version for $7.99 so I could have live chat. That upgrade was not necessary for investment help.

The $40 (maybe $30 something) upgrade gives you full support with professionals and help with audits and such. I think you have to start a return to see the advantages for that but it does not mean you have to file with them.
Thank you for the clarification Becky.
 


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