- Download Deluxe supports nearly everything that Premium does, including investments, real estate, self-employment, etc. The marketing from H&R Block is confusing here.
- When using download/desktop software, your data stays local, which is probably more secure (but make sure you have a backup!)
- Download includes 5 federal e-files and virtually unlimited printed returns.
- Downloaded state software allows preparation of state tax forms, but state e-file is an additional $20 per state. You can print and mail for virtually nothing. It is $40 to download the software for each additional state.
- Some states [thefinancebuff.com] allow free e-file on their dept of revenue website
- Online allows you to work from any device
- Online stores a copy of your tax return in the cloud for archival purposes and also next year's taxes
Some free options to try first...
1: FreeTaxUSA
(100% free for AGI $45,000 or less through FreeFile, Federal + State)
(no income limit, free federal, $15 for state)
https://www.freetaxusa.
2: Cash App Taxes (Formally Credit Karma Tax)
(no income limit, free federal and free state)
https://cash.app/taxes
3: OnlineTaxes (OLT.com)
(100% free for AGI $45,000 or less through FreeFile)
(no income limit, free federal, $10 state)
https://olt.com/main/home/default.asp
4: MyFreeTaxes
https://myfreetaxes.com/
5: IRS Free File: Do your Taxes for Free (for AGI $79,000 or less)
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-f...s-for-free
https://irs.treasury.go
6. New Pilot for 2024: IRS Direct File
only supported in some states, limited functionality for this pilot
https://directfile.irs.
7. IRS Free Fillable Forms
(no income limit, federal only, not full featured software)
https://www.irs.gov/e-file-provid...able-forms
One major advantage of H&R Block & TurboTax, download or online, is that they support importing 1099 forms from banks and brokerages. While this is definitely useful and can save some time, you often have to enter your passwords in their software, which some people are not comfortable with. With 1099 investment income, you can often enter aggregate data [hrblock.com] and not list each trade individually, which makes this much less painful that you might think.
Privacy concerns
Tax prep companies are required by law to get your consent before they can share your personal information with 3rd parties. If you are concerned about this, I recommend reading the privacy policies and/or license agreements from each company. Of course, you can avoid this issue altogether by using downloaded desktop software where your data stays on your local computer only.
IRS FAQs Related to Strengthened Taxpayer Control over Tax Information [irs.gov]
"The general rule expressed in both the 1974 regulation and the 2007 regulation is that taxpayers – not the government - control their tax information. No tax information can be disclosed or used without taxpayer consent."
FreeTaxUSA Terms of Use [freetaxusa.com] "We do not and will not sell your information to third parties."
OLT.com privacy policy [olt.com] "Specifically, we do not share, sell or rent your Personal Information to third-party advertisers, "spammers", or anyone else who we know will use it for their own advertising or marketing purposes."
Cash App Taxes Privacy Policy [cash.app] - This one is a little more vague, read it carefully.
H&R Block and TurboTax online DO sell your personal information with your consent...but you can opt-out. See here [washingtonpost.com] for more details. Their free versions are quite limited and they also use deceptive marketing practices to try to upsell you to more expensive products. Both have been in trouble with the FTC for their deceptive marketing tactics.
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For those of use old-timers who like things presented in a 1990's presentation (or raised on CompuServe & AOL) - H&R Block works for us.
For those more sophisticated - Turbo Tax is their go-to.
For those extreme SlickDealers - FreeTaxUSA is the go-to & they like to fill out LOT's of forms!
BTW, they all come up with the same refund or tax due (if filled out correctly).
Also, given that both Deluxe and Premium download versions contain the same forms, I am not sure why you will need Premium.
If you choose to go with H&R Block, all you will need is Deluxe. If you live in a State with income tax, then get Deluxe + State.
For those of use old-timers who like things presented in a 1990's presentation (or raised on CompuServe & AOL) - H&R Block works for us.
For those more sophisticated - Turbo Tax is their go-to.
For those extreme SlickDealers - FreeTaxUSA is the go-to & they like to fill out LOT's of forms!
BTW, they all come up with the same refund or tax due (if filled out correctly).
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Also, given that both Deluxe and Premium download versions contain the same forms, I am not sure why you will need Premium.
If you choose to go with H&R Block, all you will need is Deluxe. If you live in a State with income tax, then get Deluxe + State.
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