Where should I go and get my taxes done?

http://turbotax.intuit.com/person...dition.jsp

Just enter the numbers off your W-2 into the program and file for free. Just be sure to save a copy for your records.

I can believe your Mom took $60 for a simple return!

Quote from RHCCapri : http://turbotax.intuit.com/person...dition.jsp Just enter the numbers off your W-2 into the program and file for free. Just be sure to save a copy for your records. I can believe your Mom took $60 for a simple return!

Well, I live in NY and We have Federal & State taxes...(I believe Turbotax is only free for Federal)

I filed with Turbotax about 2, 3 years ago...and I had to pay around $90 in fees.

Many places are now offering to efile your federal taxes as long as you are filing a 1040-EZ (no dependents, no EIC, do not itemeize your deductions, earn under $58K). If you live in a state that has income taxes you'll probably have to pay for that.

Last year my son went to HR Block and to efile his federal (1040) and state returns they charged $149.

I did H&R one time. It was like $200 to file. I found a CPA in the area through a co-worker and now I just drop the forms off there and pick up the return and sign the e-file paperwork when they are done. He usually charges me between $50 and $75 depending on factors like buying or selling a house or itemization.

If you have a basic return.... W2, some interest income, etc, and no extraordinary things happening during the year (birth/death family member, house purchase, windfall, etc), go with Turbotax or an other tax program. They are very simple to use and frankly, nearly idiot proof. Some options may even be free depending upon your income.

Aside from that, use a preparer that comes recommended. I use a tax guy that my inlaws use. I used to use turbotax but after having to pay the IRS $2k a couple years ago, I decided to go to a pro for advice, and I am glad I did. I've kept going to him for a few years. His fee is reasonable, and it feels good interacting with a professional that knows the tax system and can give advice.

I wouldn't suggest H&R block - those people aren't tax professionals, they are seasonal workers with some minimal training.

Quote from Stubbs4Prez : I did H&R one time. It was like $200 to file. I found a CPA in the area through a co-worker and now I just drop the forms off there and pick up the return and sign the e-file paperwork when they are done. He usually charges me between $50 and $75 depending on factors like buying or selling a house or itemization.

Quote from Dr. J : If you have a basic return.... W2, some interest income, etc, and no extraordinary things happening during the year (birth/death family member, house purchase, windfall, etc), go with Turbotax or an other tax program. They are very simple to use and frankly, nearly idiot proof. Some options may even be free depending upon your income. Aside from that, use a preparer that comes recommended. I use a tax guy that my inlaws use. I used to use turbotax but after having to pay the IRS $2k a couple years ago, I decided to go to a pro for advice, and I am glad I did. I've kept going to him for a few years. His fee is reasonable, and it feels good interacting with a professional that knows the tax system and can give advice. I wouldn't suggest H&R block - those people aren't tax professionals, they are seasonal workers with some minimal training.

I only have W2's. nothing else.

Yeah, $200 sounds alot with HR Block, I'll just give it to my mom for $60 if that's the case.

I have doubts regarding Turbotax as well....It seems simple but I'm an idiot regarding taxes so who knows if I got everything covered?

I guess for the safe bet i'll just give it to my mom again.

If you only have W2's, just take the 5 minutes to complete it online via taxact or taxslayer or whatever you want to use. It's free to file the federal and if you want them to file the state then pay the $10 or $15 whatever it is and you're done. I just did my stepsons taxes with taxslayer yesterday, took a whopping 5 or 10 minutes at most for the free federal e-file and then went to the State of NJ website(free) and filed his state there, maybe 5 minutes of my time. There's really nothing difficult about it at all and it doesn't take much time

Ya, if all you have is W2s I would recommend either TaxAct or TaxSlayer. And like dcorb said, it would take you less than an hour to get your taxes done.

You really gotta watch H&R Block. If they see a refund, they will make up some fees to get a chunk of it from you. A few years back my sister used our Turbo Tax to fill out her 1040 and EIC. We had used our free E-file and she wanted the money now so she printed the forms to file and took them down to H&R Block for a loan on her refund. Lady there said "Oh you need the EIC worksheet and some other worksheet" Note that we had those here on the Turbo Tax program but they clearly state "Worksheet Do Not File With Return", but the crooked lady as H&R charged my sister $200 to fill out two worksheets that she did not need in addition to the payday loan interest!

Quote from Filet-O-Fish : Well, I live in NY and We have Federal & State taxes...(I believe Turbotax is only free for Federal) I filed with Turbotax about 2, 3 years ago...and I had to pay around $90 in fees.

i did turbo tax last year. i did the free FED part with them and paid a friend locally do to the state. The state is what cost money, i think turbotax wanted $40 for the state filing.

If your mother can do the state part, i would file online federal and give your mother the paper to do the state part. Its less work for her. No one does state taxes for free AFAIK. A lot of local colleges have a DIY tax class on saturday. I know my college has them all around.

Or just call up mommy and do it that way. $60 is a fair price, aleast i think so. No worries hassle free, keep it in the family.

I prepare taxes and based on what you said...yours is really easy and the most I'd ever charge for something like that is $50

If you only have a W2 then go do it yourself or have a friend do it for less than $20

Quote from Stubbs4Prez : Ya, if all you have is W2s I would recommend either TaxAct or TaxSlayer. And like dcorb said, it would take you less than an hour to get your taxes done.

Quote from RHCCapri : You really gotta watch H&R Block. If they see a refund, they will make up some fees to get a chunk of it from you. A few years back my sister used our Turbo Tax to fill out her 1040 and EIC. We had used our free E-file and she wanted the money now so she printed the forms to file and took them down to H&R Block for a loan on her refund. Lady there said "Oh you need the EIC worksheet and some other worksheet" Note that we had those here on the Turbo Tax program but they clearly state "Worksheet Do Not File With Return", but the crooked lady as H&R charged my sister $200 to fill out two worksheets that she did not need in addition to the payday loan interest!

Quote from bowlofturtle : i did turbo tax last year. i did the free FED part with them and paid a friend locally do to the state. The state is what cost money, i think turbotax wanted $40 for the state filing. If your mother can do the state part, i would file online federal and give your mother the paper to do the state part. Its less work for her. No one does state taxes for free AFAIK. A lot of local colleges have a DIY tax class on saturday. I know my college has them all around. Or just call up mommy and do it that way. $60 is a fair price, aleast i think so. No worries hassle free, keep it in the family.

Quote from a504boi : I prepare taxes and based on what you said...yours is really easy and the most I'd ever charge for something like that is $50

Quote from MoveOutdaWay : If you only have a W2 then go do it yourself or have a friend do it for less than $20

thank you very much!