while this may be a good price on TurboTax, it's not a good product. Intuit lobbyists are the reason our tax code is so complicated. There are plenty of alternatives out there that are free, including the IRS. Don't reward Intuit for making things complicated.
If you're filing with Turbotax come hell or high water, this is a good deal.
Always use caution when providing your financial information to an online service provider. It is recommended to use only trusted sources, such as IRS.gov, for these types of services.
Note also that this does not address your state filing requirements. Check with your state for local options, as some states do offer free services.
States don't charge for e-filing - Intuit does. That's one if the many ways they gouge us.
NY made it illegal to charge for e-filing because it obviously takes more work for them to process paper. I'm shocked they're the only ones.
That said, many states offer free e-file directly on their own department of revenue website. Here is a blog post with a list of those states: https://thefinancebuff.com/free-e...irect.html
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Reputable tax filing websites are SSL encrypted and send data directly to the IRS upon filing. The only time data exists on the preparer's server is when it's in a draft state.
When you request to review filings, that's an API pulling it from IRS servers and generating a nicely wrapped up PDF. Again, entirely SSL encrypted.
How much encryption does sending your return by mail provide?
And the desktop software? That's still web based. You aren't getting a fully offline experience in these recent versions, you're just installing a back channel for Intuit to feed you ads. Besides, storing everything locally in a file format that only TurboTax can open is severely outdated and open to ransomware attacks or unforseen data loss.
Moreover, TurboTax HAS had data breaches. So not only are they doing reprehensible things to prevent filing from being 100% free to file and far less complicated (their reach into US tax law is mind blowing on levels that would make Raytheon blush), they can't even stand behind their services being better or more secure.
The only people who have anything good to say about TurboTax are Intuit shills, people who went to H&R Block and found out what a scam that was (they are to tax preparers what GreatClips is to haircuts — total amateurs), or the grossly misinformed.
I don't think these statements are accurate either. The desktop tax software does download updated forms and rules, but once that's done (and it can be before entering any data), can be used entirely offline. There is a specific e-file protocol that sends the final version encrypted to the IRS, possibly through Intuit servers, but a copy doesn't stay there. You can of course print and mail it in to avoid that if you're really paranoid. There are no ads, except for their own upselling tactics - things like audit defense, etc.
On the flip side, online tax software does store your data on their server while you're working on it as well as after in case you need an amendment. I don't think they pull back from the IRS via an API, but I don't have a reference to prove it (nor do you). Data is probably encrypted at rest and encrypted in transit, but the details of the encryption method at rest and whether employees could access that data is unknown. I'm sure the privacy polices may clarify some of this. We also know that Intuit has had data breaches.
No, Intuit TOLD you the government is what's making it complicated while directly having a hand in writing the tax laws that cause the complications.
They want it complicated so you think you need their software and services to avoid audit or "maximize" your return.
If it were up to the IRS, you would either get a refund or a bill at the end of the year and it would then be up to you to itemize your deductions to challenge what they already automatically calculate and what more often than not is accurate.
You know how this is easily proven? Most people end up taking the standard deduction over itemization and they get their return back insanely quickly.
It's simply not complicated enough for a majority of Americans in order for the IRS to waste resources finding more hoops for you to jump through.
If you really believe the IRS finds it more efficient to be told what they already know rather than simply tell you right off the bat and not have to deal with over 95% of us, you're drinking the obstructionist Kool aid.
The IRS clearly doesn't have us do the most efficient thing. And neither does Intuit. If they did, we could pull all the data the IRS has already directly into the existing tax software. They get a copy of all W2, 1099, etc forms already - why do I have to reenter all this data? To waste my time and risk a transcription error? The IRS wastes time on this too. Intuit lobbying of the federal government is what prevents this from happening.
So just to make sure, the desktop Deluxe version will import brokerage account information right into the program and calculate everything?
This was pretty much the only reason I was getting TT Premier so if Deluxe does the same, I'll gladly use that instead.
As my writing this exact fact in my post wasn't enough
Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh, and Yes! Did I mention Yes?
Quote
from blahbooboo2
:
I switched last year from Premier Desktop to Deluxe Desktop and there was no difference in handling brokerage accounts. I used to say same as you , bought premier just for peace of mind, but last year members on this forum convinced me to stop and switch..
Just repeating in thanks to folks last year here getting it through my head. I tried it and figured worst case I just pay upgade to Premier. I tried it and yes Deluxe Desktop handling everything for brokerage accounts same as Premier, just as folks here repeatedly stated to me.
Reputable tax filing websites are SSL encrypted and send data directly to the IRS upon filing. The only time data exists on the preparer's server is when it's in a draft state.
When you request to review filings, that's an API pulling it from IRS servers and generating a nicely wrapped up PDF. Again, entirely SSL encrypted.
How much encryption does sending your return by mail provide?
And the desktop software? That's still web based. You aren't getting a fully offline experience in these recent versions, you're just installing a back channel for Intuit to feed you ads. Besides, storing everything locally in a file format that only TurboTax can open is severely outdated and open to ransomware attacks or unforseen data loss.
Moreover, TurboTax HAS had data breaches. So not only are they doing reprehensible things to prevent filing from being 100% free to file and far less complicated (their reach into US tax law is mind blowing on levels that would make Raytheon blush), they can't even stand behind their services being better or more secure.
The only people who have anything good to say about TurboTax are Intuit shills, people who went to H&R Block and found out what a scam that was (they are to tax preparers what GreatClips is to haircuts — total amateurs), or the grossly misinformed.
Unfortunately, I believe you are incorrect in both your assumptions. The below response explains it nicely.
Quote
from drawz
:
I don't think these statements are accurate either. The desktop tax software does download updated forms and rules, but once that's done (and it can be before entering any data), can be used entirely offline. There is a specific e-file protocol that sends the final version encrypted to the IRS, possibly through Intuit servers, but a copy doesn't stay there. You can of course print and mail it in to avoid that if you're really paranoid. There are no ads, except for their own upselling tactics - things like audit defense, etc.
On the flip side, online tax software does store your data on their server while you're working on it as well as after in case you need an amendment. I don't think they pull back from the IRS via an API, but I don't have a reference to prove it (nor do you). Data is probably encrypted at rest and encrypted in transit, but the details of the encryption method at rest and whether employees could access that data is unknown. I'm sure the privacy polices may clarify some of this. We also know that Intuit has had data breaches.
Nice response . TT online does store it as you have an option in the online account to delete all returns and it puts a big warning that the returns will be deleted from Intuit account.
Reputable tax filing websites are SSL encrypted and send data directly to the IRS upon filing. The only time data exists on the preparer's server is when it's in a draft state.
When you request to review filings, that's an API pulling it from IRS servers and generating a nicely wrapped up PDF. Again, entirely SSL encrypted.
How much encryption does sending your return by mail provide?
And the desktop software? That's still web based. You aren't getting a fully offline experience in these recent versions, you're just installing a back channel for Intuit to feed you ads. Besides, storing everything locally in a file format that only TurboTax can open is severely outdated and open to ransomware attacks or unforseen data loss.
Moreover, TurboTax HAS had data breaches. So not only are they doing reprehensible things to prevent filing from being 100% free to file and far less complicated (their reach into US tax law is mind blowing on levels that would make Raytheon blush), they can't even stand behind their services being better or more secure.
The only people who have anything good to say about TurboTax are Intuit shills, people who went to H&R Block and found out what a scam that was (they are to tax preparers what GreatClips is to haircuts — total amateurs), or the grossly misinformed.
This is why I hate posting on the internet. People are extremely rude when they are behind a keyboard. I despise Intuit's practices as much as the next guy, but I am a logical and practical person. Please don't be critical of others when you are grossly misinformed or don't understand the basics of what you are talking about. While completing an online tax return, all your return data is uploaded onto company servers. It isn't automatically sent to the IRS to the state tax agency. Your data is stored, and re-saved repeatedly onto company servers as you are slowly completing an online return, so that you can come back to it at a later time and complete your return. Once you are ready to submit your return, you send through an encryption channel directly to the IRS or to the state through an e-filing. HOWEVER, your returns are also usually permanently retained on company servers to make it easy for you to come back next year and do your return based on the prior year's return information without reentering information. It acts as an incentive for folks to come back the next year and do their taxes again at turbotax/tax slayer/HR block/etc.
SSL encryption (which is the main form of security we have which is focused on protecting internet transmissions) is for all intents and purposes impossible to break with current technology and human capability. The issue is not encryption while it is in transmission. The issue is that all of these free/cheap tax services (as opposed to a CPA or Turbotax desktop software) are purely online based, which means they store all your return data on their own company owned/rented servers. SSL encryption only protects data from eavesdroppers WHILE IT IS IN TRANSMISSION from point A (You) to point B (company server). You are uploading all your personal data onto a company's servers. They reside there for an indefinite period of time. They can be hacked and your data compromised. Any place where backend data resides and there is a connection to the internet can be hacked. Banks are hacked. Credit bureaus can be hacked. Brokerage firms can be hacked. Defense contractors can be hacked. Just because Intuit hasn't had a major hacking event, doesn't mean it won't happen, or that it won't happen to much less well funded companies providing free/cheap tax service. Intuit just stands to lose much more than the little guys if people have to second think their security.
As for sending it by mail or saving your return to your machine as a pdf: It is is vast orders of magnitude more likely that your data will be compromised on a company's servers and for your information to be data dumped online than for someone to get ahold of a tax return you are mailing to the IRS, open it, and for them to then steal and use your personal information OR someone taking the time to personally hack your home's computer network to take only one return (as opposed to millions). People who are in the business of identity theft don't take IRS envelopes at the doorstep of the IRS, they dump mass amounts of hacked personal information online that are obtained from company servers that have instituted poor backend security controls.
I don't think these statements are accurate either. The desktop tax software does download updated forms and rules, but once that's done (and it can be before entering any data), can be used entirely offline. There is a specific e-file protocol that sends the final version encrypted to the IRS, possibly through Intuit servers, but a copy doesn't stay there. You can of course print and mail it in to avoid that if you're really paranoid. There are no ads, except for their own upselling tactics - things like audit defense, etc.
On the flip side, online tax software does store your data on their server while you're working on it as well as after in case you need an amendment. I don't think they pull back from the IRS via an API, but I don't have a reference to prove it (nor do you). Data is probably encrypted at rest and encrypted in transit, but the details of the encryption method at rest and whether employees could access that data is unknown. I'm sure the privacy polices may clarify some of this. We also know that Intuit has had data breaches.
No, your parsing of what was written is just off.
The person I responded to was making it sound like you could stay completely off the internet with a TurboTax file (notice how they mentioned filing by mail), when the reality is you can't.
TurboTax hasn't been able to operate fully offline for over a decade. The first thing it does is force you to connect and update, even if you buy the physical version. Add creating unnecessary landfill waste to Intuit's list of bad behavior.
As for storing data on servers, read more carefully. I mentioned that drafts are stored on every filing services' websites until you file them. There's no service that operates differently. Once you file, the draft gets purged. If security is really a paranoia, it's simple: Don't sit on drafts.
The IRS clearly doesn't have us do the most efficient thing. And neither does Intuit. If they did, we could pull all the data the IRS has already directly into the existing tax software. They get a copy of all W2, 1099, etc forms already - why do I have to reenter all this data? To waste my time and risk a transcription error? The IRS wastes time on this too. Intuit lobbying of the federal government is what prevents this from happening.
You're missing the boat here and, again, you're not reading through posts thoroughly.
The IRS is compelled by companies like Intuit using backdoor channels to do things less efficiently.
They aren't themselves on a crusade to do extra work. No government entity is.
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That said, there are a number of free filing services endorsed by the IRS that you can use for free. These can be great if you have relatively simple finances. List is available from the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free [irs.gov]
Always use caution when providing your financial information to an online service provider. It is recommended to use only trusted sources, such as IRS.gov, for these types of services.
Note also that this does not address your state filing requirements. Check with your state for local options, as some states do offer free services.
NY made it illegal to charge for e-filing because it obviously takes more work for them to process paper. I'm shocked they're the only ones.
That said, many states offer free e-file directly on their own department of revenue website. Here is a blog post with a list of those states:
https://thefinancebuff.
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This was pretty much the only reason I was getting TT Premier so if Deluxe does the same, I'll gladly use that instead.
Yep. Importing and calculating both work the same way.
Reputable tax filing websites are SSL encrypted and send data directly to the IRS upon filing. The only time data exists on the preparer's server is when it's in a draft state.
When you request to review filings, that's an API pulling it from IRS servers and generating a nicely wrapped up PDF. Again, entirely SSL encrypted.
How much encryption does sending your return by mail provide?
And the desktop software? That's still web based. You aren't getting a fully offline experience in these recent versions, you're just installing a back channel for Intuit to feed you ads. Besides, storing everything locally in a file format that only TurboTax can open is severely outdated and open to ransomware attacks or unforseen data loss.
Moreover, TurboTax HAS had data breaches. So not only are they doing reprehensible things to prevent filing from being 100% free to file and far less complicated (their reach into US tax law is mind blowing on levels that would make Raytheon blush), they can't even stand behind their services being better or more secure.
The only people who have anything good to say about TurboTax are Intuit shills, people who went to H&R Block and found out what a scam that was (they are to tax preparers what GreatClips is to haircuts — total amateurs), or the grossly misinformed.
I don't think these statements are accurate either. The desktop tax software does download updated forms and rules, but once that's done (and it can be before entering any data), can be used entirely offline. There is a specific e-file protocol that sends the final version encrypted to the IRS, possibly through Intuit servers, but a copy doesn't stay there. You can of course print and mail it in to avoid that if you're really paranoid. There are no ads, except for their own upselling tactics - things like audit defense, etc.
On the flip side, online tax software does store your data on their server while you're working on it as well as after in case you need an amendment. I don't think they pull back from the IRS via an API, but I don't have a reference to prove it (nor do you). Data is probably encrypted at rest and encrypted in transit, but the details of the encryption method at rest and whether employees could access that data is unknown. I'm sure the privacy polices may clarify some of this. We also know that Intuit has had data breaches.
They want it complicated so you think you need their software and services to avoid audit or "maximize" your return.
If it were up to the IRS, you would either get a refund or a bill at the end of the year and it would then be up to you to itemize your deductions to challenge what they already automatically calculate and what more often than not is accurate.
You know how this is easily proven? Most people end up taking the standard deduction over itemization and they get their return back insanely quickly.
It's simply not complicated enough for a majority of Americans in order for the IRS to waste resources finding more hoops for you to jump through.
If you really believe the IRS finds it more efficient to be told what they already know rather than simply tell you right off the bat and not have to deal with over 95% of us, you're drinking the obstructionist Kool aid.
This is what Intuit has done to keep it complicated: https://www.propublica.
The IRS clearly doesn't have us do the most efficient thing. And neither does Intuit. If they did, we could pull all the data the IRS has already directly into the existing tax software. They get a copy of all W2, 1099, etc forms already - why do I have to reenter all this data? To waste my time and risk a transcription error? The IRS wastes time on this too. Intuit lobbying of the federal government is what prevents this from happening.
Read this to see what they've done
https://www.propublica.
"HMM... we can't seem to find promo code SWSJAN25. on our end. Check again?"
"HMM... we can't seem to find promo code SWSJAN25. on our end. Check again?"
This was pretty much the only reason I was getting TT Premier so if Deluxe does the same, I'll gladly use that instead.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh, and Yes! Did I mention Yes?
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Reputable tax filing websites are SSL encrypted and send data directly to the IRS upon filing. The only time data exists on the preparer's server is when it's in a draft state.
When you request to review filings, that's an API pulling it from IRS servers and generating a nicely wrapped up PDF. Again, entirely SSL encrypted.
How much encryption does sending your return by mail provide?
And the desktop software? That's still web based. You aren't getting a fully offline experience in these recent versions, you're just installing a back channel for Intuit to feed you ads. Besides, storing everything locally in a file format that only TurboTax can open is severely outdated and open to ransomware attacks or unforseen data loss.
Moreover, TurboTax HAS had data breaches. So not only are they doing reprehensible things to prevent filing from being 100% free to file and far less complicated (their reach into US tax law is mind blowing on levels that would make Raytheon blush), they can't even stand behind their services being better or more secure.
The only people who have anything good to say about TurboTax are Intuit shills, people who went to H&R Block and found out what a scam that was (they are to tax preparers what GreatClips is to haircuts — total amateurs), or the grossly misinformed.
On the flip side, online tax software does store your data on their server while you're working on it as well as after in case you need an amendment. I don't think they pull back from the IRS via an API, but I don't have a reference to prove it (nor do you). Data is probably encrypted at rest and encrypted in transit, but the details of the encryption method at rest and whether employees could access that data is unknown. I'm sure the privacy polices may clarify some of this. We also know that Intuit has had data breaches.
Reputable tax filing websites are SSL encrypted and send data directly to the IRS upon filing. The only time data exists on the preparer's server is when it's in a draft state.
When you request to review filings, that's an API pulling it from IRS servers and generating a nicely wrapped up PDF. Again, entirely SSL encrypted.
How much encryption does sending your return by mail provide?
And the desktop software? That's still web based. You aren't getting a fully offline experience in these recent versions, you're just installing a back channel for Intuit to feed you ads. Besides, storing everything locally in a file format that only TurboTax can open is severely outdated and open to ransomware attacks or unforseen data loss.
Moreover, TurboTax HAS had data breaches. So not only are they doing reprehensible things to prevent filing from being 100% free to file and far less complicated (their reach into US tax law is mind blowing on levels that would make Raytheon blush), they can't even stand behind their services being better or more secure.
The only people who have anything good to say about TurboTax are Intuit shills, people who went to H&R Block and found out what a scam that was (they are to tax preparers what GreatClips is to haircuts — total amateurs), or the grossly misinformed.
SSL encryption (which is the main form of security we have which is focused on protecting internet transmissions) is for all intents and purposes impossible to break with current technology and human capability. The issue is not encryption while it is in transmission. The issue is that all of these free/cheap tax services (as opposed to a CPA or Turbotax desktop software) are purely online based, which means they store all your return data on their own company owned/rented servers. SSL encryption only protects data from eavesdroppers WHILE IT IS IN TRANSMISSION from point A (You) to point B (company server). You are uploading all your personal data onto a company's servers. They reside there for an indefinite period of time. They can be hacked and your data compromised. Any place where backend data resides and there is a connection to the internet can be hacked. Banks are hacked. Credit bureaus can be hacked. Brokerage firms can be hacked. Defense contractors can be hacked. Just because Intuit hasn't had a major hacking event, doesn't mean it won't happen, or that it won't happen to much less well funded companies providing free/cheap tax service. Intuit just stands to lose much more than the little guys if people have to second think their security.
As for sending it by mail or saving your return to your machine as a pdf: It is is vast orders of magnitude more likely that your data will be compromised on a company's servers and for your information to be data dumped online than for someone to get ahold of a tax return you are mailing to the IRS, open it, and for them to then steal and use your personal information OR someone taking the time to personally hack your home's computer network to take only one return (as opposed to millions). People who are in the business of identity theft don't take IRS envelopes at the doorstep of the IRS, they dump mass amounts of hacked personal information online that are obtained from company servers that have instituted poor backend security controls.
On the flip side, online tax software does store your data on their server while you're working on it as well as after in case you need an amendment. I don't think they pull back from the IRS via an API, but I don't have a reference to prove it (nor do you). Data is probably encrypted at rest and encrypted in transit, but the details of the encryption method at rest and whether employees could access that data is unknown. I'm sure the privacy polices may clarify some of this. We also know that Intuit has had data breaches.
No, your parsing of what was written is just off.
The person I responded to was making it sound like you could stay completely off the internet with a TurboTax file (notice how they mentioned filing by mail), when the reality is you can't.
TurboTax hasn't been able to operate fully offline for over a decade. The first thing it does is force you to connect and update, even if you buy the physical version. Add creating unnecessary landfill waste to Intuit's list of bad behavior.
As for storing data on servers, read more carefully. I mentioned that drafts are stored on every filing services' websites until you file them. There's no service that operates differently. Once you file, the draft gets purged. If security is really a paranoia, it's simple: Don't sit on drafts.
Also, why exactly do you assume that I have no knowledge of the IRS API? The IRS makes it very well known that they have an API: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professio...-client-id
iwheela
The IRS clearly doesn't have us do the most efficient thing. And neither does Intuit. If they did, we could pull all the data the IRS has already directly into the existing tax software. They get a copy of all W2, 1099, etc forms already - why do I have to reenter all this data? To waste my time and risk a transcription error? The IRS wastes time on this too. Intuit lobbying of the federal government is what prevents this from happening.
You're missing the boat here and, again, you're not reading through posts thoroughly.
The IRS is compelled by companies like Intuit using backdoor channels to do things less efficiently.
They aren't themselves on a crusade to do extra work. No government entity is.
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