Inexpensive tax service ? ?
Does anyone know an inexpensive (but reliable and dependable) tax preparation service ? (I have used H&R Block for years, but last year they lost my business when they charged me $380 to prepare my taxes. I was shocked ! I file single, head of household, have 2 or 3 W2's. Nothing complex or time consuming. The woman who did my taxes spent maybe a total of 30 minutes. I will NOT pay almost $400 again)
Public Comments
- I guess you will need to start doing your own taxes. As scary as it may sound to you, studies have shown that out of all the tax prep companies out there, H&R Block has the lowest average cost for tax preparation.
- www.taxact.com I used to use Jackson Hewitt and paid over $300 to have my taxes done. What a ripoff. I finally wised up and started using Tax Act five years ago and I haven't looked back since. I pay around $16.95 to e-file both federal and state taxes.
- Yep, taxact.com is a great site. I've used it 3 years already.
- There is no such thing as "inexpensive" and "dependable". You get what you pay for. You may find a professional that will do it cheaper but many will be more expensive. I know someone who charges $1000 minimum to do taxes. He feels it weeds out the chaff. To pay $380, you must have had a more complex return than you are letting on (ie. kids, earned income credit, self-employment, multiple states).
- You can always try out turbotax.com and try for yourself. You are not obligated to pay anything until completly finished and ready to send. Very simple asked you guestions one at a time and it does all the figuring. I just did ours (been doing them for years) and the most I have ever paid was this year and pd. 54. that was state and fed. and electronic if you just have the basic W2 forms and nothing complex you can problably get by with the basic I used the deluxe for state and federal. The only time you have to pay is at the end if you are not happy or think you missed something don't purchase. Anyway its worth the try and saves a bundle.
- I agree with you on those in-person tax services. I have two suggestions for you: 1. Turbotax or any other tax software and do it yourself. It is not difficult at all; 2. Find out from your local community whether there are free tax services. I, for one, are volunteering my time (with organized volunteer group) to help the locals and we do not charge for the professional services.
