Tax software deals

[aaronc879]

I just purchased and downloaded 2020 Turbotax Home and Business. That will e-file FED and includes 1 State (efile not included) - $79.99. After you install your download it is easy to add another state, and I think it is $19.95 for additional states.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do some more research before deciding what to use. Lots of time before I have to buy anything since I can't do my taxes until late February at the earliest anyway.

 

[target2019]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to do some more research before deciding what to use. Lots of time before I have to buy anything since I can't do my taxes until late February at the earliest anyway.

Some of us have the business side all wrapped up before the end of this year. Or at least have things complete enough to make business decisions before you can not. It helps to know profit you'll be taxed on so you can finish up retirement deduction, final estimated payment, etc. Maybe make additional equipment purchases or delay billing to lower business profit if that is advantageous.

Good luck with your search.

 

[travelover]

Slightly off topic, but this latest run up has put me over the 7 figure mark at Fidelity and they assigned me "a guy". Is it for sure I'll get free tax software?

 

[Sunset]

Slightly off topic, but this latest run up has put me over the 7 figure mark at Fidelity and they assigned me "a guy". Is it for sure I'll get free tax software?

You should ask your "guy" as your "guy" will be motivated to make a good first impression

 

[braumeister]

Slightly off topic, but this latest run up has put me over the 7 figure mark at Fidelity and they assigned me "a guy". Is it for sure I'll get free tax software?

No, it's not for sure; there seems to be a bit of randomness from one local office to another. Watch the forum and when you see people mention getting it, then sign in to your account. If you don't see the link to download it, then by all means give your guy a call. Last year it was somewhere around late January IIRC.

 

[teej1985]

I do my own with H&R software (as it's cheaper than TT, and works for me).
I am self employed , and a landlord, plus interest, SS equivalent, stock sales and option trades.

I use the deluxe version as I'm used to using it, otherwise I'd go for the Premium version at $65 (today) for the Federal + 1 State.
You add more States for extra amount (I think around $37 ea).

When done you can file electronically for free for the Fed 5 times. And free for 1 State filing (don't know if buying another State includes the filing for that State).

You can print and file on paper as much as you want for free, so you can also do friends returns for fun

So for around $102 you can do it all.

If you have a "real" business, employees, etc, then I'd go for the business tax software, on the site you can see which covers what circumstances by comparing:

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/

I'm pretty sure h&R Block does not include a free state efile. They charge around $20. You can prepare 1 state for free in H&R Block though.

 

[Sunset]

I'm pretty sure h&R Block does not include a free state efile. They charge around $20. You can prepare 1 state for free in H&R Block though.

You are correct...

"One state program included, a $39.99 value.
State e-file is available for $19.95 per return."

Thanks.........

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I just got an email from HR Block offering their Basic program (no state) for $14.99. I don't anticipate it going much lower for Black Friday and even if it did, it couldn't be very much cheaper. Virginia offers free online fillable forms one can file online, so I don't see paying an extra 20 bucks to HRB for my state return. The state's online free file is very basic but since the return isn't complicated I'm OK with that.

 

[Time2]

This topic amuses me every year. A bunch of fairly well to do people trying to save $10-$20 on tax prep software. Heaven forbid any of us pay full price

BUT, buying Tesla's is OKAY

Saving $10s and $20 is why you can buy a Tesla!

 

[Time2]

I do my own with H&R software (as it's cheaper than TT, and works for me).
I am self employed , and a landlord, plus interest, SS equivalent, stock sales and option trades.

I use the deluxe version as I'm used to using it, otherwise I'd go for the Premium version at $65 (today) for the Federal + 1 State.
You add more States for extra amount (I think around $37 ea).

When done you can file electronically for free for the Fed 5 times. And free for 1 State filing (don't know if buying another State includes the filing for that State).

You can print and file on paper as much as you want for free, so you can also do friends returns for fun

So for around $102 you can do it all.

If you have a "real" business, employees, etc, then I'd go for the business tax software, on the site you can see which covers what circumstances by comparing:

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/

The site says if you have investments you need the $44.95 version. Just for LTCGs and Losses? What about interest and dividends?

 

[pb4uski]

I should’ve followed this thread more closely. I decided to give TT a try this year instead of H&R Block. I just always thought TT is overpriced. The Amazon TT bundle has gone up to $59 now. Guess I’ll wait to see if it drops again.

+1. Now $59.99 less $10 Amazon gift card would be $49.99 ... I'll wait but I wish I had been following this thread more closely cuz I would have jumped on it at $39.99

 

[OldShooter]

This topic amuses me every year. A bunch of fairly well to do people trying to save $10-$20 on tax prep software. Heaven forbid any of us pay full price ...

Kahneman and Thaler ride to the rescue and explain:

Economists have a fuzzy idea that incorporates goodness, happiness, satisfaction, etc. It is called "utility."

Buying the software involves two kinds of utility. (1) "Acquisition Utility" due to the desired exchange of money for software. The buyer would rather have the software than the money. Buying a hamburger is the same; the buyer has increased acquisition utility. This is pretty much standard economics.

The interesting one, though, is #2 "Transaction Utility." This, basically, is a buyer's happiness at getting a bargain or, in the negative, finding out that he'd paid more that he had to. This idea is Kahneman's and Thaler's contribution. Thaler writes of a friend who had a double bed and needed a quilt, but bought a king size quilt because the price was so good.

For myself, I am always seeking transaction utility. I love negotiating and look forward to the rare days when I am buying a car from a dealer. I also seek $10 savings on software, always buy Amazon Warehouse items if available, and always shop the used books on Amazon before buying new. None of what money I gain from this, including the cars, has any real economic impact on our net worth. But it's fun! YMMV, and probably does.

I do think, though, that repeatedly demonstrating a goal of positive transaction utility as kids are growing up is A Good Thing." It's one element of a LBYM financial strategy.

 

[gerntz]

Amazon has a sale on TurboTax today. Deluxe plus state is $49.99 with a $10 Amazon gift card. I think that’s generally as low as it has gone in past years.

https://www.amazon.com/TurboTax-Sof...f=gbps_tit___1581392f?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Just saw this. Thanks.

Ordered Premier + State disc for $69. Good as deal as I think there will be till the first of the year - too late for me. Only reason we need TT P is our dinky rentals LLC.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

The site says if you have investments you need the $44.95 version. Just for LTCGs and Losses? What about interest and dividends?

Basic handles this fine for me. Check the list of forms supported by each version; all support 1099s. It might not hold your hand as much, but I’ve used it for years and had no issues.

I hope others will chime in with their experiences as well.

 

[Sunset]

The site says if you have investments you need the $44.95 version. Just for LTCGs and Losses? What about interest and dividends?

I buy the $44.95 version when it's on sale around $20.

Last year I got it from Newegg.com for $19.99 at the end of Nov. but if I see it for $22 or less I buy as I never know if that will be the lowest price or not.

I do 4 tax returns each year, ours + 3 relatives, I like having the State included, as it carries over info from the Federal return, so it's quicker to finish the State one.
Then I print out the State one, and use it as a reference to do our State's Online Tax Return, ensuring I don't miss something.

I could simply mail in the State return but our State also wants the Federal one mailed with it, which is stupid.
The nice thing about using the State's online system, is we know immediately it's filed, and we can print a copy of what we filed on their system.

 

[Rustic23]

For those that download TT, can you burn the download to a CD for future reinstall?

 

[Gotadimple]

I just got an email from HR Block offering their Basic program (no state) for $14.99.

I got the same email but for the Deluxe version. Offering $20 off or $24.99. + tax + optional $5.99 for Extended Download Service. I was a little excited about this, but then, I looked back to what I paid last year at Amazon on Thanksgiving weekend: $14.99 plus state sales tax - and optional charge for 'Extended Download Service.' I think I'll wait until Turkey Day.

- Rita

 

[target2019]

For those that download TT, can you burn the download to a CD for future reinstall?

Yes you can. I also add a text file with validation code just in case.

 

[CardsFan]

This topic amuses me every year. A bunch of fairly well to do people trying to save $10-$20 on tax prep software. Heaven forbid any of us pay full price

BUT, buying Tesla's is OKAY

Saving $10s and $20 is why you can buy a Tesla!

Kahneman and Thaler ride to the rescue and explain:

Economists have a fuzzy idea that incorporates goodness, happiness, satisfaction, etc. It is called "utility."........

Looks like my earlier post is getting a second round of comments. Just to be clear, at no point did I say I don't do the same thing, because I do. But I still find it amusing

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I got the same email but for the Deluxe version. Offering $20 off or $24.99. + tax + optional $5.99 for Extended Download Service. I was a little excited about this, but then, I looked back to what I paid last year at Amazon on Thanksgiving weekend: $14.99 plus state sales tax - and optional charge for 'Extended Download Service.' I think I'll wait until Turkey Day.

- Rita

That's odd, because when I go to their web page I see Basic for the sale price of $14.99 and Deluxe plus State for $34.95, but not Deluxe only. Interesting. No consequence to me since I only wanted Basic, but hmmmm....

 

[grasshopper]

Yes you can. I also add a text file with validation code just in case.

I buy Amazons TT download, because the order stays in your digital library along with the activation code. I had to download 2015 after I bought a new laptop, easy peasy.

 

[Sunset]

Yes you can. I also add a text file with validation code just in case.

I do this exact thing as well as keep it in a directory of tax software on my computer that gets backed up each time I do a backup.

 

[OldShooter]

That's odd, because when I go to their web page I see Basic for the sale price of $14.99 and Deluxe plus State for $34.95, but not Deluxe only. Interesting. No consequence to me since I only wanted Basic, but hmmmm....

Games being played here? I just went to the site/your like and am being offered the Deluxe plus State (PC) for $44.95. I wonder if they know I have the 2019 package and figure that I am a slam dunk buyer, hence will stand a higher price. Amazon is also at $44.95.

 

[camfused]

The only thing I don't like about buying TT via Amazon (which I just did), is you have to buy Mac or Win. I would much prefer having both, since I want Mac for me and Win for my sister. Oh well, i'll probably just run it on a Win machine (or VM). I would like to try the Win key on the Mac version (if I can find that somewhere)...maybe that would work.

 

[target2019]

I buy Amazons TT download, because the order stays in your digital library along with the activation code. I had to download 2015 after I bought a new laptop, easy peasy.

I do this exact thing as well as keep it in a directory of tax software on my computer that gets backed up each time I do a backup.

Last year I had to go back to 2012 and subsequent versions for a friend. I had a combination of CDs and downloads, and installed all. Maybe half were in Amazon library. Also put them all on my archive system as well as NAS.

One can also copy the installers from various media to one source. Also find the various codes you may need to a text file.