Does anyone do their own taxes?

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Mar 24, 2008

I have used the same program. Won't know till an audit if it was worth it. Of course if you are honest with the program it should figure correctly. You can be dishonest with a tax preparer and still have problems. Try having a professional do the taxes also and if the figures match, next year you may feel more comfortable doing your own taxes.

mho

Rod

KatieBell · Mar 24, 2008

I've done both ways. I have used turbo tax one year, and also took to H and R block a different year.

I would recommend that if you are goin gto have a pro do them, find a travel tax pro- there are a few who know the ins and outs of the tax laws, and are very very helpful.

H and R block unfortunately doesn't really get it, though they will prepare multiple state returns for you with a smile. SOme of the travel laws are a little sticky, and I dont think the h and R people deal with a ton of travelers.

This year, I am going to have a tax person do it, I bought a house, and have some other things that are a bit complicated...

ERRNTraveler, RN · Mar 24, 2008

I did my own in TaxAct this year- had to file for 4 different states- the website walked me through it, and I ended up getting money back, even though I don't have a tax home or kids..... H&R block wanted to charge me $600 to do it!!!!

KatieBell · Mar 25, 2008

Wowee ERRN.... I paid about 250 for H and R to do mine last year... I wonder if they charge differently in different parts of the country (I also had 4 state returns...) At a rate of 600, I would have done it myself too!!!

Did you liek TaxAct better than Turbo tax? I guess you dont take deductions and stuff for your home though...

mzcat · Mar 25, 2008

I do not do my own taxes. Travel Tax does mine. Taxes are way too complicated for me to understand.

loricatus · Mar 25, 2008

I have always done my own taxes; but, used a CPA to do my business taxes when I owned a business.

I tried using the turbo tax & other programs and found them too restrictive. If you are able to understand the IRS literature concerning deductions, business expenses, per diems, moving, etc., then give a try without the program. Once you get used to the verbiage the IRS uses, it really isn't that hard. It is tedious work.

One word of advise that has saved me from audits is to provide a complex list of what exactly each deduction entails-it leaves no room for quessing and essentially provides audit information, anyway. For instance: for charitable deductions fill in the total amount on the form but attach an addendum detailing each and every individual payment with the date and who received it. Although the IRS doesn't require it, it gives them all the information they need to justify how you came up with the figure and also establishes that you do have receipts. Also, if anything needs explaining, do it on an addendum. I find this method extremely helpful when having to justify the allowable deductions relating to travel nursing and company reimbursements.

I know I am probably weird; but, I like the challenge of doing it myself & I can never expect a tax preparer to understand my individual circumstance-their generic approach just isn't worth paying for IMHO.

ERRNTraveler, RN · Mar 25, 2008

Wowee ERRN.... I paid about 250 for H and R to do mine last year... I wonder if they charge differently in different parts of the country (I also had 4 state returns...) At a rate of 600, I would have done it myself too!!!
Did you liek TaxAct better than Turbo tax? I guess you dont take deductions and stuff for your home though...

Tax Act was just as good as Turbo Tax, but cheaper. H & R block here in San Diego told me it would cost $300 for federal, and then $75 for each state return..... I told them to forget it. But then, everything is more expensive in California....