Tax Cut

by Debbie Vasen | More from this Blogger

10 Feb 2008 09:17 PM

Ever since I first began doing my own taxes, more than 20 years ago, I have been doing them the old-fashioned way - by hand. Yes, I am a dinosaur in this day and age. However, that has all changed today.

After making my whole family miserable for the month it took me to do the taxes last year, my husband told me it was time for a change. I finally had to agree that the aggravation factor alone was enough to consider a different option.

Therefore, I began to ask around. My neighbor offered the best piece of advice. They had tried both using the new tax software and going to an accountant. They found that both were equally as time consuming but the software saved you tons of money over the accountant. Of course, the software and the accountant were far faster than the do-it-yourself method I had chosen.

Given this option, I decided to brave the software. Needless to say, I just completed my tax forms for both federal and state today. I was able to get everything done and completed in half a day. While there was some learning curve to the software, the whole process was no doubt far simpler than I imagined.

I chose the Tax Cut Premium with the State. Knowing I had to pay, there was no reason to buy the extra e-file option. I can wait and mail my payment closer to the April 15th due date. I chose Tax Cut because they appeared to offer more for the money, although both Tax Cut and Turbo Tax seem like equally viable options.

I certainly enjoyed the process of answering questions and letting the software fill out my forms for me. When a part of their system didn't make sense, they had links to pop-up help boxes. They also had special "guide me" buttons for the trickier parts.

Overall, the process is better than DIY and cheaper than an accountant is. If you haven't tried a software tax platform, I highly recommend it. Most likely, you will at least save yourself money and/or time with this product.

Related Articles:

*Giving and Taxes

*Pay those Taxes

*How Are You Going to Spend Your Tax Refund?

Learn more about Debbie Vasen

Debbie Vasen is a published web content editor and writer, as well as a freelance writer for various print publications. In addition to blogging at Families.

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Miriam Caldwell (8030) 12 Feb 2008 08:46 PM

If you make less than $54,000 a year you qualify for free file through the IRS. This allows you to use the software online, and file online for free. It is basic software, but covers most situations. Just thought your readers would like to know.

Debbie Vasen (1072) 13 Feb 2008 09:16 AM

Cool advice Miriam! I had no idea there was free software online, or a free e-file either for that matter. What a great tip!

Now, why is there an income cap?? In all honesty, shouldn't we all be able to get free tax help? Why do we have to "pay" to pay the government money...hmmm....