For Americans on CP : TurboTax vs TaxAct

[Canada 02]

I picked up TurboTax on Amazon for just under $50 for both federal and state taxes, including e-file. It was relatively simple to use, easy to navigate and has plenty of tips and help features.

I was going to cheap out and use TaxAct, which costs $17 for federal, state and e-file, but my taxes are a bit complicated and I assumed the more expensive software (TurboTax) would be easier and more accurate.

After completing my taxes with TurboTax, I used TaxAct online. You don't have to pay until you want to download the completed forms and e-file, however, it does tell you the amount owed or refunded in a summary at the top of the screen. Turns out, TaxAct gave me the exact same number as TurboTax, was real easy to use, and had many of the same help features (albeit, I had already read many of the tips on TurboTax and plugged in all the numbers, so that may have made TaxAct seem intuitive or better than it really was).

Its only $30 bucks so I'm not kicking myself, however, I thought I'd give you Yanks a heads-up in case you haven't completed your taxes yet. TaxAct was a good, cheap alternative, and I'll likely use it next year

[Mccree]

Tim Geithner used Turbo Tax

Not a big deal just found it funny.

[dobbles]

i have very simple taxes as i am a young single guy with just a w-2. i was able to do my federal taxes online for free with h&r block, and then did my illinois taxes for free on their website. i was real happy to not have to pay anything to file this year.

i do not look forward to the future when taxes get more complicated and i have to pay just to figure out how to fill out the paperwork.

[valo403]

I used H&R Block, it cost me $160 but as a non-resident alien in a pretty high bracket my taxes weren't exactly simple. I'd rather pay them to do it right as opposed to worrying about how much I'd screwed myself, taxes are not my thing.