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Tax software?
Old 02-06-2017, 03:26 PM   #1
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Tax software?

I just want a tax software program that can do all the figuring for me, and then I can print it out and just mail it. I don't want to have to put in my SSN anywhere on the program (I'll just write it in when after I print) or scan my 1099's, W-2 or anything that has SSN.

Is there such an animal available?
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Old 02-06-2017, 03:28 PM   #2
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Hmmm... not sure about the SSN part.
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Old 02-06-2017, 03:45 PM   #3
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Enter a fake SSN, then use tippex to create a blank space to write in your actual SSN?
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Old 02-06-2017, 03:50 PM   #4
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I think some of the software that you download to your desktop don't force you to enter a SSN right away -- especially if you don't use the interview method of data entry. TaxAct should meet your needs. Unfortunately you have to pay for it now.

-gauss
p.s. why the fear of the SSN? Do you have security freezes in place at the Credit Bureaus? Best $30 I ever spent for piece of mind.
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Old 02-06-2017, 04:03 PM   #5
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I'd expect most offline software would let you leave most any field blank, but if not put in generic data, such as 123-45-6789 that you paste over after printing.
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Old 02-06-2017, 04:07 PM   #6
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I just tried printing my 2015 return using the installed H&R Block tax software without the SSN and it was fine. Now it will alert you to the missing info when you do the final automated check and it obviously wouldn't let you file electronically without the SSN but then you don't want to do that anyway.
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Old 02-06-2017, 06:38 PM   #7
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Thank you for all the responses. So, if I understand correctly, I can go to a local store (not online) that sells software, and I download it on to my computer without the software sponsor having access to my ssn (real or otherwise) or my taxes. In other words, only my computer will have the ssn info and taxes info and it will not be online, correct?

I don't mind entering the correct ssn on my computer, I just don't want it online.

So the next question is what software would be best and reasonably priced to do this without going online?
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Old 02-06-2017, 07:21 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Youngster View Post
Thank you for all the responses. So, if I understand correctly, I can go to a local store (not online) that sells software, and I download it on to my computer without the software sponsor having access to my ssn (real or otherwise) or my taxes. In other words, only my computer will have the ssn info and taxes info and it will not be online, correct?

I don't mind entering the correct ssn on my computer, I just don't want it online.

So the next question is what software would be best and reasonably priced to do this without going online?


Yes but you don't even have to go to the store. You can download the software, disconnect from the internet, install the software and go from there. There is also a fillable PDF format available, but it does not do the calculations for you.
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Old 02-06-2017, 07:26 PM   #9
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I knew people who were afraid to drive cars with "computers" cuz the government could track you. This thread tops even that. LOL.
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Old 02-06-2017, 07:35 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Youngster View Post
I just want a tax software program that can do all the figuring for me, and then I can print it out and just mail it. I don't want to have to put in my SSN anywhere on the program (I'll just write it in when after I print) or scan my 1099's, W-2 or anything that has SSN.



Is there such an animal available?


Maybe you want a CPA ? [emoji2]
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Old 02-06-2017, 07:38 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Youngster View Post
Thank you for all the responses. So, if I understand correctly, I can go to a local store (not online) that sells software, and I download it on to my computer without the software sponsor having access to my ssn (real or otherwise) or my taxes. In other words, only my computer will have the ssn info and taxes info and it will not be online, correct?

I don't mind entering the correct ssn on my computer, I just don't want it online.

So the next question is what software would be best and reasonably priced to do this without going online?
You could even order turbotax from amazon with a disc. You will have to get updates online, but the data in the .tax file will stay local.
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Old 02-06-2017, 08:12 PM   #12
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A disc will have an outdated version of the tax software. It will likely insist you let it download a newer version, which with at least Turbotax you can do prior to entering any of your personal info. The software will likely be updated weekly through the April filing deadline, and there is no way to know exactly what the fresh downloads are doing, so you will not know if any of the fixes apply to your tax situation or whether you can ignore them.

I suppose if you have privacy concerns you could wait until April before working on your return, by which time most of the software problems will have been fixed. In April you would download an update then input your tax info and ignore future updates.
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Old 02-06-2017, 09:13 PM   #13
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A disc will have an outdated version of the tax software. It will likely insist you let it download a newer version, which with at least Turbotax you can do prior to entering any of your personal info. The software will likely be updated weekly through the April filing deadline, and there is no way to know exactly what the fresh downloads are doing, so you will not know if any of the fixes apply to your tax situation or whether you can ignore them.

I suppose if you have privacy concerns you could wait until April before working on your return, by which time most of the software problems will have been fixed. In April you would download an update then input your tax info and ignore future updates.
Turbotax does download fixes not the whole thing, since they are faced with dates when the IRS makes forms final as well as identified bugs. Turbotax saves everything, in a .tax2016 so if you are concerned you could keep the file on a flash drive.
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Old 02-07-2017, 09:29 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by COcheesehead View Post
I knew people who were afraid to drive cars with "computers" cuz the government could track you. This thread tops even that. LOL.
I just took off my tinfoil hat .

I did a little more research, and I probably am overeacting. I do fully trust the software sponsors; but, I just need to learn to trust the internet itself more (part of it is my not being very computer savy). I just might take the plunge this year and even e-file.

Actually, maybe I should be more fearful of my own computer being hacked.

In any event, thank you all for all the responses.
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Old 02-07-2017, 09:44 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Youngster View Post
I just took off my tinfoil hat .

I did a little more research, and I probably am overeacting. I do fully trust the software sponsors; but, I just need to learn to trust the internet itself more (part of it is my not being very computer savy). I just might take the plunge this year and even e-file.

Tin foil hat back on : Actually, maybe I should be more fearful of my own computer being hacked.

In any event, thank you all for all the responses.
Good to not trust the internet too much. Unlike that State Farm commercial about what's on the internet has to be true.

Practice safe computing (use good passwords/password manager, go to trusted sites, don't have any personal data out there more than really needed, keep your computer security up to date, back up your data) practices. Even then, you can't guarantee your info won't get hacked, but lowers the possibility.
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Old 02-07-2017, 09:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Youngster View Post
I just took off my tinfoil hat .

I did a little more research, and I probably am overeacting. I do fully trust the software sponsors; but, I just need to learn to trust the internet itself more (part of it is my not being very computer savy). I just might take the plunge this year and even e-file.

Actually, maybe I should be more fearful of my own computer being hacked.

In any event, thank you all for all the responses.
Good for you. Baby steps, but in the right direction.
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Old 02-08-2017, 09:12 AM   #17
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This year Turbotax has begun to sell your tax return data if you efile. Supposedly there is a checkbox somewhere that you can use to opt-in, or opt-out, the article does not make it clear.

A loan merchant getting the data says, "We can see their credit report, we see their income, and we will be able to make estimates for their level of assets."

http://www.accountingtoday.com/news/...deal-on-a-loan
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Old 02-08-2017, 09:30 AM   #18
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This year Turbotax has begun to sell your tax return data if you efile. Supposedly there is a checkbox somewhere that you can use to opt-in, or opt-out, the article does not make it clear.

A loan merchant getting the data says, "We can see their credit report, we see their income, and we will be able to make estimates for their level of assets."

Would you share your tax data for a deal on a loan? | Accounting Today
I think it is pretty clear that you will have the option after you efile. From the article:

Filers who use the new service will see potential savings figures after they have e-filed. If they decide to pursue the offer and share their personal information, they are shown information about federal loan benefits before Earnest begins the refinancing application.
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Old 02-08-2017, 10:52 AM   #19
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Have any of the early efilers here seen this checkbox/option?
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Old 02-08-2017, 04:03 PM   #20
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Have any of the early efilers here seen this checkbox/option?
I vaguely recall being asked if I wanted to apply for a loan (heck no!) but don't remember specifically being asked about sharing data. My default is usually "no" on such questions and would definitely be so for TT.
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