Gyroscopic Investing

My tax return burdens simplified this year. I may never due a Federal return by hand again.

Which tax return prep sites are easy to use and FREE?

I would like to check my work this year and see what would be good for the future.

Thanks.

If your tax return is simpler this year, why are you looking to switch to one of the semi-automated systems? I would happily use the IRS free fillable forms instead, if my return weren't so complicated that I might as well write "AUDIT ME" on the form if I tried to do it by hand.

The programs save time in theory but not in practice. There's always at least one "gotcha" that you end up spending hours trying to fix. In the case of Turbotax, it's impossible to enter a backdoor Roth contribution correctly without hints from helpful internet bloggers and a fudged answer to one of their questions. I'd tried Tax Act a few years back and it had similar issues.

I have always found my hand-calculated and hand-written results better than any of the several software programs I have tried. My documentation is always complete. For the several times the IRS people have told me "you can't do that," they have always been helpful.

Two years ago when doing my father's estate return, the instructions confused: was I to file a 1040 or 1041? They said send both but each to a separate address. I told the phone rep the action might generate 2 refund checks but was assured the system would sort through it. After receiving the second (and almost duplicate) check, I called back. The phone rep and I had a few chuckles over 15 minutes. I returned the second check with an elaborate explanation. I have always had a positive relationship with tax people. I guess that's better than the alternative.

Next year I'll probably use the calculator and a pencil but I do enjoy filling in headings before printing forms at IRS.gov

Please send suggestions along.

Thanks.

keep in mind if your income is over 75k you have to run your taxes 2 ways . on the regular tax system and on the amt system .you pay the higher . software does it automatically . you will have to do it yourself by hand . to much work .

i use turbo tax every year . i get it free from fidelity , including the state as private access clients . it is is a perk . a lot of p-laces give it free but charge you extra for the state .

One idea is for you to enter your return on Turbotax online, which you can do for free as long as you don't actually file. Then you can use that as a guide to fill out the free IRS forms. You can't print the forms without paying, but I believe you can view them online.

WiseOne wrote: The programs save time in theory but not in practice. There's always at least one "gotcha" that you end up spending hours trying to fix.

My experience as well. I used Free File Fillable Forms last year.

WiseOne wrote:One idea is for you to enter your return on Turbotax online, which you can do for free as long as you don't actually file. Then you can use that as a guide to fill out the free IRS forms. You can't print the forms without paying, but I believe you can view them online.

EDIT: Forgot, there's another reason why I can't use the IRS forms. Bedraggled, if you still need to file in NY you are required to efile but can only use the NYS free forms if your income is under $64K, and I think also if you are filing as a resident. Good old New York state!