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For those that file their taxes online...

TechHead87

Senior member
What's the pros/cons of doing this? I'm probably going to be "pushing it" this year, and am thinking about doing this online this year.

For those who have e-filed, how was your experience?
 
I have efiled since forever. Changed over to using internet-based Turbotax 3-4 years ago. Easy, no store, fast. why not?
 
Not sure what a .tax file is or what a "permant record" is, but I've used Turbotax online for a few years and filed for many people as well. Quick and easy if you don't have too many weird situations, and it's free under a certain AGI or other circumstances. (Most of the people I file for are free).
 
I've filed online pretty much since its inception using TurboTax and have had no problems. Unfortunately, I cannot do so this year because I need to include a cover letter and supporting evidence to stop an imminent audit.

 
Originally posted by: JohnCU
turbotax, it was easy/fast refund, etc.

Look it up, TurboTax Freedom Edition. Worked well for me last year, will file tomorrow for this year 🙂
 
It is so much easier to file online. No more messing with tons of schedules. Plus it does all the math for you, not that it is difficult, but it is just very convenient.

edit: I guess the only con is not having all those hard copies of your tax info.
 
Originally posted by: Soundmanred
Not sure what a .tax file is or what a "permant record" is, but I've used Turbotax online for a few years and filed for many people as well. Quick and easy if you don't have too many weird situations, and it's free under a certain AGI or other circumstances. (Most of the people I file for are free).

The version you buy in stores saves the file with a .tax extention.

That should have read "permanent record". 😛 As in, printing out the full, completed file so I can have a copy for my records if I ever need to look up a previous tax year rather than relying on TurboTax/Intuit to keep my records.

 
Originally posted by: Praetor
The version you buy in stores saves the file with a .tax extention.

That should have read "permanent record". 😛 As in, printing out the full, completed file so I can have a copy for my records if I ever need to look up a previous tax year rather than relying on TurboTax/Intuit to keep my records.

You can also save as PDF which alleviates the need to have a specific version of TurboTax to open previous years' files.
 
Filing your taxes online is the best way to do it. It is much easier, faster, and the user interfaces they provide you with make it so you are far less prone to make mistakes. I believe most sites make you pay a small fee but it is well worth it.
 
Originally posted by: Pabster
Originally posted by: Praetor
The version you buy in stores saves the file with a .tax extention.

That should have read "permanent record". 😛 As in, printing out the full, completed file so I can have a copy for my records if I ever need to look up a previous tax year rather than relying on TurboTax/Intuit to keep my records.

You can also save as PDF which alleviates the need to have a specific version of TurboTax to open previous years' files.

That works even better. As long as the PDF is the full, completely filled out tax forms, I'm all for it. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Praetor
Originally posted by: Pabster
Originally posted by: Praetor
The version you buy in stores saves the file with a .tax extention.

That should have read "permanent record". 😛 As in, printing out the full, completed file so I can have a copy for my records if I ever need to look up a previous tax year rather than relying on TurboTax/Intuit to keep my records.

You can also save as PDF which alleviates the need to have a specific version of TurboTax to open previous years' files.

That works even better. As long as the PDF is the full, completely filled out tax forms, I'm all for it. 🙂

TurboTax and pretty much every online tax service provides you with fill completed filled out tax form in a PDF. They also tend to provide a simplified version of the form in either the same PDF or a separate one.
 
I used TurboTax Online since I first needed to do taxes at 16. It wasn't as automated the first year IIRC, but it's been just awesome the past few.

I access it through statetaxfreedom.com since my AGI is weak as hell and MI residents get free state filing if they qualify for free federal. Thus it is completely free ever year so far.

Turbotax/Intuit keeps your old returns in the form of a PDF, but I make sure to save PDF copies of every return I've done. Then I can just print them if I want a hard copy.


I'm not sure what else is out there and when software becomes needed, for anyone with a simple tax situation I can definitely say that it is awesome.
 
The only disadvantage is that you can not easily play what if scenarios 🙁
 
Used H&R block 3 yrs in a row, I have a very simple return with no property owned or itemized deductions or complex investments. Last 2 years have used TaxSlayer b/c it was only $10 for state and federal. HR was superior in useability to TaxSlayer but they both ultimately revealed the same refund amount so no biggie.
 
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