By: Linda Schiffer
There are numerous tax preparation software programs on the market today. Each one says they make tax paying as easy as point and click. All are not the same. Many do not include the forms that you might require to prepare your taxes and some might not be compatible with the tax system in your state, if your state has an income tax in place.
The selections are many but the choices narrow considerably when features are compared. How does a person select the right software for maximum results without maximum effort involved? If preparation becomes complicated to the point where you cannot complete it yourself, the software becomes useless and you might as well have gone to a tax preparation company. If this is an option you want to consider but money is tight, you could always take out a payday loan in order to do so.
Comparing to Help You Find the Best Tax Prep Software
- Turbo Tax by Intuit: This is the most familiar of all tax prep software. This software appears to be the pre-eminent program for simple tax returns. It is harder to find the more complex forms screens, if needed, but the software has great and easily accessible support providers on line. Features include: Allows you to ask easy questions and put the answers on the correct IRS forms; checks for errors; does calculations for you and guarantees them; can pull your W2 and 1099 from employer; handles changes in your lifestyle (marriage, children, etc.); maximizes deductions for the largest refund you can get and much more. $29.95 gets you a Deluxe edition which is updated annually and can be used again, for the fee, year after year. There is also a FREE addition of Turbo Tax for basic e-filing. TurboTax® Tax Preparation Software, FREE Tax Filing, Efile Taxes, Income Tax Returns
- TaxAct: This is a downloadable software for easy tax return filing. You are able to prepare your tax forms and it is completely free to file with the IRS. If you include State filing, the cost is minimal for both IRS e-filing and State filing on line. It depends on which program you decide to use. One feature allows preparation of a college financial aid worksheet. The basic free program plus State is $13.95 while the Ultimate filing is $16.95.File Taxes Online - Do Taxes FREE - File Taxes With TaxACT
- Tax Cut: Created by H&R Block, the renowned tax preparation company ranges in price from $34.95 to $79.95 for purchase of the software package on CD. The software allows you to get last year’s information from TurboTax, gives the user 1 free session with an advisor, offers audit support should you be called in and provides most employer forms for filing. Only the Premium and Home & Business packages provide for free State tax filing. The screens are easy to read and instructions are easy to follow. Because it is H&R Block developed, it is all state compatible. TaxCut Software - Free eFile Federal Tax Returns With TaxCut Software - H&R Block
- Complete Tax by CCH: Perhaps the fastest and most basic software, it has a simple user interface with a no frills screen, allowing you to answer questions one at a time without wasting time. It was designed for people who know enough about taxes to be on their own. There is minimal support, there are no forms views, but it does provide IRS 8888 to allow splitting your refund. It is not the software to use if you need guidance. The $29.95 is for IRS filing. An additional charge of $19.95 is for State filing. CompleteTax, online federal and state tax preparation from CCH.
Learn helpful tax advice from the payday cash advance loans news section over the next month.
