H&R block or not? I need some opinions...

[tec699]

I have an appointment with H&R block tonight at 6:30pm I've gone to them in the past few years and each time it has cost me a little over $120 I'm having second doubts about going to them this year especially since everyone that I know uses turbo tax and they get their money back in a timely fashion. I'm talking within 2 weeks and they got their money by e-filing? Is this correct?

Anyway, so should I go to H&R block tonight or should I spend the weekend and do my taxes by myself through turbo tax? My tax form is very simple. I have no deductions and the only thing I need to worry about is that I went to Rowan University last year fulltime. I'm sure that I could use that to my advantage but I'm a bit confused on how to do it.

thanks.

 

[minendo]

Just do it yourself. It's free and easy.

 

[tec699]

Thanks Minendo. I was just checking out turbo tax and it's only 5.95 for federal and I could have the money within 10 days and in my checking account. I do like the sound of that, but as I stated I'm confused on how I would use my school tuition to my advantage. I know that I could get back a nice large sum. I guess I'll have to read some more.

 

[Reckoner]

Do you pay tuition yourself Tec? Or your parents? If they pay it, they're the ones who will get the tax break, not you.

If you pay tuition however, turbotax asks you the amount and does the deduction for you.

 

[jcovercash]

Originally posted by: tec699
Thanks Minendo. I was just checking out turbo tax and it's only 5.95 for federal and I could have the money within 10 days and in my checking account. I do like the sound of that, but as I stated I'm confused on how I would use my school tuition to my advantage. I know that I could get back a nice large sum. I guess I'll have to read some more.

Its really simple, There is a place where it asks you your tuition costs.
I got a form 1098-T from my school, and it shows me where to put each item. Really simple to do without it too as long as you have receipts.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Your tuition is deductible... TurboTax will ask you for qualified educational expenses

 

[DT4K]

WTF?
Why would you pay $120 to do it when you can buy TaxCut for $20 and finish your taxes in 10 minutes.

Have you gotten a 1098-T from your university yet? I think that's the form. It just shows how much you paid in tuition. If you use TaxCut or TurboTax, it will ask you if you had any tuition expenses. You just enter the amount when asked, and it will automatically figure out what kind of educational credits or deductions you are eligible for.

Seriously, unless you have a very complicated tax situation, it shouldn't take more than 10 or 20 minutes to complete your taxes on your own.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Turbo Tax. If you can read, follow directions and add & subtract you can do your taxes.

 

[tec699]

Yes guys, I have the required forms from my University and I'm the one that pays the tuition. I had no idea that it was so easy and turbo tax will ask for your qualified educational expenses? Sweet! Ok guys my mind is made up and I'll do my taxes tomorrow on turbo tax. In the past the $120 wasn't a big issue but this year I'm hurting for money.

Thanks again.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Turbo Tax is the way to go. You can file your federal return free now. Linky!

 

[FoBoT]

TaxCut

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Turbo Tax. If you can read, follow directions and add & subtract you can do your taxes.

If you use tax software, you don't even need to be able to add or subtract. Just read, answer a few questions, and copy a few numbers from your W-2 to the box on the screen.

I have a fairly simple tax situation. The only things I needed to worry about beyond my W-2 were the mortgage interest and property tax from our house and the tuition that we paid for myself and my wife.
It took us about 30 minutes to do both federal and state taxes with TaxCut. (including installing and updating the software)

 

[geecee]

H&R Block can be hit or miss. I used them in the past twice and the first time I got a guy who really knew his stuff. The second time, I got a woman who could barely do the data entry correctly and I was telling her what deductions to take. I'm not sure what their standards are for their tax preparers but the way tax programs are today, doing it yourself is not that bad.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: geecee
H&R Block can be hit or miss. I used them in the past twice and the first time I got a guy who really knew his stuff. The second time, I got a woman who could barely do the data entry correctly and I was telling her what deductions to take. I'm not sure what their standards are for their tax preparers but the way tax programs are today, doing it yourself is not that bad.

LOL. They probably just use a different version of TaxCut and enter the information for you.

 

[jdub1107]

I would definitely go with a tax program. I know someone who works at H&R. They'll tell you its not worth the money. As far as training, they actually have a to take an H&R course and pass, then there's more training. But there always pple at every company that doens't know what they're doing.

 

[tec699]

Originally posted by: DT4K

Originally posted by: geecee
H&R Block can be hit or miss. I used them in the past twice and the first time I got a guy who really knew his stuff. The second time, I got a woman who could barely do the data entry correctly and I was telling her what deductions to take. I'm not sure what their standards are for their tax preparers but the way tax programs are today, doing it yourself is not that bad.

LOL. They probably just use a different version of TaxCut and enter the information for you.

Heh. Now that you say that I wouldn't doubt it. All they do is punch in the n umbers and BAM... your return is on the screen.

What's sad is that when I was there earlier the place was filled with people who desperately need the money. Most do the rapid refund and they get charged over $150.00

What a shame.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: geecee
H&R Block can be hit or miss. I used them in the past twice and the first time I got a guy who really knew his stuff. The second time, I got a woman who could barely do the data entry correctly and I was telling her what deductions to take. I'm not sure what their standards are for their tax preparers but the way tax programs are today, doing it yourself is not that bad.

Their standards are that you need to take 66 hours of tax prep training (which you pay for and they provide) and score 80% or better on the final exam. The course covers quite a bit of material but really doesn't make you an expert at anything. Experience and training is what makes you an expert. You probably got a first year preparer the second time. They have a lot of turnover from year to year but you can usually find someone at most locations who knows what the hell they are doing. I think there is a minimum 20 hours of continuing education for returning preparers.

<---Worked for H&R Block for a year. I wasn't an expert but I have an accounting background and I do know how to do taxes. It's something you need to keep up on from year to year.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: tec699

Originally posted by: DT4K

Originally posted by: geecee
H&R Block can be hit or miss. I used them in the past twice and the first time I got a guy who really knew his stuff. The second time, I got a woman who could barely do the data entry correctly and I was telling her what deductions to take. I'm not sure what their standards are for their tax preparers but the way tax programs are today, doing it yourself is not that bad.

LOL. They probably just use a different version of TaxCut and enter the information for you.

Heh. Now that you say that I wouldn't doubt it. All they do is punch in the n umbers and BAM... your return is on the screen.

What's sad is that when I was there earlier the place was filled with people who desperately need the money. Most do the rapid refund and they get charged over $150.00

What a shame.

Actually, they don't. Their software is really quite good and much more in depth than TaxCut or Turbo Tax.

 

[edro]

TurboTax.com rocks. They have do a great job of finding deductions, and you can eFile easily. I have done every tax return there since 2000. They have every one since then on file, via PDF that I can view and print whenever I want. They charged me $45 total for state and federal. I was going to just do the 1040 EZ, but after I tested their full blown 1040, they found deductions that gave me back another $300! Sooo... I upgraded to the full 1040 for an extra $15 or whatever. Well worth it!

Oh, I forgot to mention, I got my return back this morning... right at the 2 week mark!