Turbo Tax

[iBoston]

I just want to vent. I like turbo-tax, it makes my taxes easy, however they make certain things difficult and they are adding more and more click bait.

First off, i find it difficult every year to find the link to buy the actual turbotax deluxe windows edition. I don't know why they don't have a link from the main turbo tax account when i login. I can download the software, but their is no link to buy the license. I think that is wonky. I think its because they are determined to get you to use the online turbotax which there are links everywhere.

Next i know they really want you to use the online version because of a couple reasons, #1, they already stopped supporting windows 10. Jeez! Im not upgrading to windows 10 yet!!!! So, i installed a windows 11 on VMware to have a virtual windows 11. That went pretty smooth. Then i downloaded and installed the TurboTax. I finally found the link to purchase the software, and got my license key. Then when i start running the software, it gives me click baits to try and get me to switch to the Online version, and then when i bypassed that, FORCED me to take a survey as to why!?!

And then lots of other click bait to try and get me to buy add-ons. Buy audit protection buy this buy that... Jeez, give it up!!!!

I swear half the time of doing my taxes is just getting turbo tax downloaded/bought and installed and running. Its now ready to go for when i am ready to do my taxes, which wont be until March probably.

I think its comical, im running Windows10 which is creating a Windows11 Virtual box. So, im essentially running Windows11 in Windows10. I will load the Win11 virtual box to do my taxes, and i wont run it again until next year when its time to do the taxes again. That is unless windows 12 comes out and turbotax only works on Windows 12.

 

[comfortably_numb]

The only complaint I have about TT is they hide the free version. You have to access it by Googling around and finding the direct link.

 

[mrhermit]

I used Turbo Tax a few years ago. I found it to be a pain to use as it would NOT do any updates. The last 3 years I have used H&R Block tax software. It updates with no problems and it has no annoying ads and it was a bit cheaper then Turbo Tax.

 

[iBoston]

The only complaint I have about TT is they hide the free version. You have to access it by Googling around and finding the direct link.

That doesn't surprise me. Everyone makes it hard to do anything without attaching additional fees/services. I don't qualify for the free version.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I don't qualify for the free version.

I don't either, but my daughter does, and I do her taxes for her every year

PLEASE LOG IN TO GET RID OF THESE ADS!

 

[iBoston]

I used Turbo Tax a few years ago. I found it to be a pain to use as it would NOT do any updates. The last 3 years I have used H&R Block tax software. It updates with no problems and it has no annoying ads and it was a bit cheaper then Turbo Tax.

Yea, once i get it running, its easy. Regarding switching, I worry about the ease of it automatically downloading the tax statements from the brokerage accounts. Turbo tax downloads it and makes quick work of all the brokerage account complexities.

 

[iBoston]

I don't either, but my daughter does, and I do her taxes for her every year

Thats another reason i like the turbotax desktop version. I can do up to 5 federal returns for no additional costs, so i can do our sons taxes with the same software and electronically update the federal return, and my son wouldn't qualify for the free version either.

 

[harshness]

Intuit will fight you tooth and nail at every turn if you don't go online with all of its products. It isn't just TurboTax; it's Quicken, QuickBooks and others. It is Intuit's online way or else.

HR Block still supports Windows 10 with its products, and they can import TurboTax data from the previous year.

With the gubmint threatening to reduce the available filing options, it is getting ugly.

 

[comfortably_numb]

With the gubmint threatening to reduce the available filing options

Huh?

 

[mrhermit]

Intuit will fight you tooth and nail at every turn if you don't go online with all of its products. It isn't just TurboTax; it's Quicken, QuickBooks and others. It is Intuit's online way or else.

HR Block still supports Windows 10 with its products, and they can import TurboTax data from the previous year.

With the gubmint threatening to reduce the available filing options, it is getting ugly.

I am waiting for the day when we will no longer have to file. I think it might be a very long wait.

PLEASE LOG IN TO GET RID OF THESE ADS!

 

[comfortably_numb]

I am waiting for the day when we will no longer have to file

"Only two things in life are certain: death and taxes."

 

[harshness]

Huh?

After the Biden administration declared the "Direct File" program permanent in 2025, the IRS has discontinued it for 2026.

This is not to be confused with the "IRS Free File" program used by tax preparation software and websites.

 

[harshness]

I am waiting for the day when we will no longer have to file. I think it might be a very long wait.

An even longer wait is ahead for a flat income tax system in which filing extensive documentation is unnecessary: income x tax rate (12%?) = taxes owed.

Quite a few states (Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Utah) have already implemented flat-rate income taxation. Ohio and Kansas are working on a flat income tax setup.

 

[klang]

I just purchase the TurboTax + state license from Amazon.

They allow 5 efiles so I treat a couple of my friends as well.

 

[harshness]

They allow 5 efiles so I treat a couple of my friends as well.

It should be noted that these e-files are for Federal returns only. State returns, where required, demand an additional investment.

HR Block offers the same structure but charges 50% more ($37.50 vs $25) for state e-filing.

Those who use online services may pay anywhere from $0 to $69 for state e-filing, depending on the state and the forms required.

Since I'm likely to have to pay, I probably won't e-file my state return; there's certainly no rush to file.

PLEASE LOG IN TO GET RID OF THESE ADS!

 

[klang]

I only use TurboTax to produce the Colorado Form. Electronic filing is free if you transfer the numbers from the TurboTax produced form to the Department of Revenue website.

 

[iBoston]

It should be noted that these e-files are for Federal returns only. State returns, where required, demand an additional investment.

HR Block offers the same structure but charges 50% more ($37.50 vs $25) for state e-filing.

Those who use online services may pay anywhere from $0 to $69 for state e-filing, depending on the state and the forms required.

Since I'm likely to have to pay, I probably won't e-file my state return; there's certainly no rush to file.

I Efile the federal, and print the state return from Turbotax , and mail it in the mail. Instead of 25-35 dollars per state, it cost me 2.00 for the stamps. Been doing that for years. No issues.

 

[harshness]

Electronic filing is free if you transfer the numbers from the TurboTax produced form to the Department of Revenue website.

So you have to retype or cut and paste the numbers from your state return to the State website?

 

[harshness]

Instead of 25-35 dollars per state, it cost me 2.00 for the stamps. Been doing that for years. No issues.

The motivation to e-file in my state is that if you want expedited refunds, e-filing is the only way to get them. Paper returns seem to require considerably more time to process.

This is critically important for those who use their tax refunds as a budgeting tool to pay off holiday bills.

 

[iBoston]

The motivation to e-file in my state is that if you want expedited refunds, e-filing is the only way to get them. Paper returns seem to require considerably more time to process.

This is critically important for those who use their tax refunds as a budgeting tool to pay off holiday bills.

I don't think i have ever gotten a refund.. So, not a problem for me. And if i do get a piddly refund, i just apply it to next year.

PLEASE LOG IN TO GET RID OF THESE ADS!