Ditto on the Turbotax. It's easy and when you return the following year they kept your previous information. Even easier.

I've used turbotax & HR block. I see commercials that credit carma is also free.

They get me when I file state taxes. Not sure if this is all states or just Ohio. But if I want turbotax or HR block to submit electronically they take $29.99 out of my refund.

A few times I've filed my Ohio taxes by printing the forms & mailing in, as that's free.

Thank you all for the advice. I am more comfortable printing and mailing as I worry about whose servers are storing my info and how secure they are.

Free federal electronic filing and 29.99 for state electronic filing on turbotax. Depends on my situation, from year to year, whether I file electronically or mail them in.

I've used TaxAct for years--I like it better than Turbotax. Just my opinion. I file electronically (federal and state) every year, and have not had any problems.

Turbotax! It even worked with a slightly more complicated return the one time I had it. It's very straightforward, fill in the blank, one at a time questions.

I also use TaxAct and have for the last four years. However, this year I lost an email I received this summer with their lower cost offer, which I routinely get over the course of the year leading up to file date. I accepted the offer for $17.99(?) for both fed and state and always assumed they kept that info on file. Not so apparently. When I logged in to confirm my return cost, I had three options: Free (Fed and State, but no import of last year's return info), an option for the same but no import, and then another more expensive option which I can't remember. In order to use the special offer they gave me this summer I had to log into my account WITH THAT email. I didn't have it anymore. And I don't remember this being true in years past. Anyway I like the importing option, so chose the second. Well, you don't know how much it costs until after you commit. It was $40. After thinking it over for a couple days I went ahead and agreed to the $40.

Both returns were completed with the Fed being approved same day and the State the next. Of course I'm doing EZ filing, no deductions, etc.

I use Turbo Tax as well but it isn't free. Definitely cheaper than H&R Block though.

What Turbo Tax does is put your information into tax forms and from that, it does all the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It will put things in the right place assuming you put the right information in the right places in the input sections. That's not as trivial a task as it may sound. I wouldn't say it gives tax advice or is a substitute for obtaining competent professional tax advice at times when that's what's needed.

Meaning, if your income and deduction situation is vanilla and is constant from year to year without new items or situations, fine. If you do have anything new in a year, out of the ordinary or non-vanilla, you may or may not get yourself to the right answer by relying solely on Turbo Tax or any other form preparing software.

Scott how do you get a return when your on permanent disability?

ElizabethA, did you know that you can go to the IRS site, answer a few questions (age, state, gross income) and they will show you a list of reliable computer programs that will be free for you? ( https://www.irs.gov/uac/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free) Many banks, credit unions, insurance agents, and employers offer discounts for these programs if you don't qualify for free.

I use TurboTax because it is free for me (from my bank); I've used TaxAct before also and it was fine. I file a regular 1040 because of various investments and deductions and the program really just leads me through it (although I always did my own taxes years ago, so I am pretty familiar with the process). You do have to know the basics of your income, deductions, etc -- in other words, what various terms and items are -- but there is help available from the IRS and from TurboTax if you are not sure or not understanding a question. Just don't wait until the last minute.

Scott, I file my Ohio tax return electronically at the state's own site, no charge. The state's return is very simple but it helps to read the directions/explanations first and use their worksheets because they allow deductions for some things that the federal does not (like the costs of health insurance premiums and expenses), and tax some things that are tax-free on federal-- so again, you have to know what they mean by a question or line item.

I have used Turbo Tax for several years and found that it works well. If you are a first time user, note that several versions are available with differing features in each version. A sketch of the versions are below:

Basic: Federal, Includes 5 Federal e-files with IRS confirmation.

Deluxe: Includes the above plus 1 state via download after installation. $19.99 additional to e-file a state. Can print copies of State filings at no additional charge. Additional help to maximize 350+ deductions and credits.

Premier: Adds investment sales such as stocks, bonds, royalties, mutual funds and employee stock plans.

Home and business: Full package designed for self-employed and small businesses, including contractors, consultants and freelancers.

I recommend the Deluxe version for most people because it includes a state version. After installing (or during installation), your state version can be downloaded. An internet connection is required to get the state software.

I have used Turbo Tax and H&R Block software to file my taxes, both are decent for the money but this year I went with a totally free route at https://www.creditkarma.com/tax. I use them for my free credit scores but now I use them for the tax service and it was pretty easy, even for my business taxes. E-file is free (State - Federal) as well as preparation. I do not believe it is based on income; meaning free for all. I will give it a try. God bless you!

I have been using the free H&R Block online program for years. I do ours, our kids, several family members. I live in PA. if you go to state.pa.us you can file your state taxes online for free. So many people I know pay the online fee to have their state filed for them along with their federal, just because they didn't know.

Aw geeze. I filed with TaxAct, both returns get approved, refund check on its way.....and I get two 1099 tax statements from the insurance company for when I received benefits from two of Mom's life insurance policies. I swear the lady at the agency said by my opting to have the taxes taken out BEFORE the checks were written I wouldn't have to take the (tax statements) to whomever prepares my return. Which is me.

I called their office today and of course the lady that helped me all through the estate process in regards to insurance policies is out. The woman I talked to said I need to file the statements, however the cash amounts listed on them won't make any if little difference to my return; but I need to file because the "government got the same forms and may question why I didn't report them".

So I have to file amended returns, both Fed. and State, I guess. Logging into my TacAct account turned out to be a difficult experience, needed password reset, this and that. ugh. I finally got in with the help of someone on the chat option, but they didn't even acknowledge my question about the amended returns and if I really needed to. She ended the chat. ?? So do I have give them another $40 to get in and do the amendment or can I choose the Free option for that? The phone help line was busy forever - surprise. I did read that one shouldn't do an amended return until the first ones are approved and you get your refund check. Well, they were approved but no check yet of course. I'll try to call next week about the fee.

I have an appt. with AARP at the local Community Center to do my late Mother's taxes on Feb. 14th. I think I'll cancel that for later in March just in case more paper work comes in for her also.

Edited to say: I Googled a random "would I have to pay for an amendment to return filed via TaxAct"? The answer was yes. You have to use a paid version according to TaxAct. bummer.

schoolhouse_gw, I honestly would not worry about it. Just pray and ask the Lord for his help as I believe that other things may be stressing you and you are overwhelmed. I am sorry for the loss of your mother and pray that everything that you are now worried about becomes less stressful. Please know that I love you and in regard to amending the taxes, it is really no a huge deal. God bless you!

schoolhouse, the advice you got from "the lady" is wrong as a general proposition. Having tax withheld from any income item doesn't mean it doesn't have to go on a return. Think of wages as the most obvious example of that.

But I'm not sure what income would result for a beneficiary that would be subject to tax on a life insurance policy payout. The insurance amount itself isn't subject to income tax. Was it interest paid on the balance because of a delay of paying it to you? Or, maybe not a life insurance policy but an annuity? Be sure to consider professional help if the answer you get doesn't seem right. "AARP" taxes at a Senior Center are typically volunteers who do a good service for many but handling an inheritance or insurance situation could easily be beyond what they know.

Lewis, prayer is fine if for those who like to do so but it won't resolve a tax question or get amended returns prepared.

Thank you Lewis. And thanks Elmer, I'm so dumb when it comes to these matters and I get irritated at myself. I'll call the insurance agency again for clarity and then take it from there.

Elmer J Fudd (formerly S Whiplash), I do not want to argue, please do not take this as an argument. When you pray and ask God for help then he will do the work. God is a Spirit and you must worship him in Spirit and Truth. It is only when you get out of the way and realize that God is "all things" and nothing is impossible for him that you come to the understanding that you cannot do anything of yourself. Thus you should not worry because God is in control. God bless you!

schoolhouse, if you get some additional information and would like to run it by me (I'm a retired CPA), you can use the Houzz messaging function by clicking on my user name to get to my "page" and then click on the Message box.

Mama, good question. I get a W2 from Time Warner Cable as I worked 27 days. Then another from the short term disability folks & a 3rd from long term disability.

I'm still in line waiting for my approval from social security disability.

Elmer, I might need to chat you up also! Good to know we have a CPA living here in our nest!!

I've also been using Turbo Tax for many years and it's worked well for us. You can choose from several versions depending upon how complicated your return is.

I am a LONG timer lurker and have always found a smile on posts and cries with some but I wanted to say thanks for this thead. I have done our taxes via IRS website for years with no problems until now. I had a job change rolled my retirement and took a withdrawal but I did pay tax at the time, but sadly cannot figure out where this info goes therefore this year I think I am going to have someone do it. With that being said just wanted to say thanks for info

Schoolhouse, what kind of 1099 was it? 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, or another? That will make a difference in whether you need to amend the return. 1099s are usually sent for taxable income, I think, and life insurance policy payouts generally are not. But, if you got some interest paid on the benefit, that would be taxable and need to be reported.

I just want to throw in here -- don't rely on insurance office personnel for advice about what is taxable and what must be included on a tax return!! Nor a financial or investment advisor (who is not a CPA who prepares tax returns). Nor me!

I had to amend a return 2 years ago, and it had to be done on paper and mailed in -- couldn't be done electronically. I may have used TurboTax to fill out the form 1040X, but I can't really remember -- I definitely didn't pay to do it though.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc308.html

https://www.taxact.com/tsupport/FAQDisplay.asp?Question=637

One year my spouse didn't tell me about approx. $100 in income from a 2 day job -- but the IRS knew about it, and came back 2 years later with fines and penalties that came to about $400!

It's a 1099-R with distribution code "4 D". I just now read where it says, this form is for distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirements or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. All I know is that there are two 1099-Rs, each with the amount of the benefit I received from each policy listed in the box Gross Distribution. Fed. tax withheld was $192. 39 and State $67.33. Then of course the taxable amount on each.

I found the forms online to use for amended returns and printed them off. I'll do some calling around Monday. Yes,raee - 1040X for Fed. and then another 1040 for State but with places to indicate it's an amended form.

I used TurboTax for years when I did my own taxes. After my husband died and I had multiple pensions (some taxable to fed, some to state, some not to state), trust income with complicated capital gains, I turned it over to my son. He lives a long way away from me and can't help me with everyday things, so he CAN help me by doing my taxes for me, and is familiar with complicated returns. He also uses TurboTax.

ElizabethA, for goodness sake file electronically! It's completely safe and very fast and you know your forms were correctly filled out in a few hours when it is accepted. And your refund, if you have one, comes far more quickly. You do not need to worry about the servers - I have no doubt the IRS puts your hardcopy on them anyway.

You can still print them out for your records or just leave them stored on your own computer as PDF files. SO easy!

I have decided to use TurboTax and thank everyone for their help and excellent advice. My concern with filing electronically was not with the IRS but the tax prep companies keeping a copy also.

Schoolhouse, that sounds like it is from an annuity, so it may be taxable and you do need to amend the return to include them. Good luck!

Elizabeth, the software companies never see your return. It is stored on your computer and sent via a highly secure connection to the IRS.

"they store a copy of your return on their corporate server"

This shouldn't be seen as an issue in my view. Does it trouble you?

The first year I did my own taxes on the computer, I used Tax Act. It was fine. At the time I couldn't file the state returns using it so I went to TurboTax the next year and have used it since. I tried using another one last year but there were some issues so I went back to TurboTax. I didn't like the $100 charge last year so I've been looking again. Creditkarma can't do my return and there are several others that wouldn't be free anyway so if I'm going to pay I'll stick with the one that I know, has worked well and always gets good reviews when compared to others. And it looks like I might qualify for free filing but not sure. I'll find out when it's done.

Don't be afraid of using the reputable software/online options. They're secure, fast and easy to use. You can start on it and come back to it later. One caution to keep in mind. As you go through the step by step interview (at least on TurboTax) it will take some time. There's a delay to go through things which you wouldn't experience if you're doing it on paper. Just stay calm, have some patience and budget some time. Don't start it 10 minutes before it's due! FWIW it usually takes me between 6 & 7 hours to get everything in and run through, double checked, etc. Oh, and if you make a mistake and need to back up, no problem, just click the back button. TurboTax and TaxAct were both very user-friendly.

I just switched to TaxAct since TurboTax wants to charge me to file an itemized return. Dunno why? TaxAct doesn't seem to care. I will say thanks to whoever it was that suggested one claim medical expenses. I had enough to bring down my taxes owed $40 less. That helped. As long as I don't have to pay to file?! Weird.