Tax return software - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

malcolmk14 · 03-02-2012, 01:39 PM

Used TurboTax for $14. Already netfiled and awaiting my refund.

TurnedTheCorner · 03-02-2012, 03:06 PM

Another vote for Studiotax. I've used it for 3 or 4 years, no complaints.

Bertuzzied · 03-02-2012, 03:44 PM

It's mind bottling that anyone in canada would pay for a tax program when studio tax is around.

Clarkey · 03-02-2012, 04:13 PM

I use ufile online. Prior years are saved online which I like. If you snag a coupon code I think it's 10 or 15 bucks.

bomber317 · 03-02-2012, 04:16 PM

Has anybody compared the different tax programs for more complex tax situations?

I've heard from some colleagues that they return different amounts. I take it with a grain of salt since everything should be based on the same formula and there could be a possible user error.

Locke · 03-02-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Oh ya, for Locke. My slips seems to take forever to come in so I will probably wait another month. If I am getting yourself to do the taxes, is it better to get you what I have early then give you the final couple slips when I get them and you can just enter them in or whatever you do? What makes it easier for you?

Also, what is the amount of tax you owe where you have to auto pay the next year?

You can do it either way, but I prefer having it all together at once so I can get it finished.

You have to pay instalments if you owe $3K+ two years in a row.

Sec218 · 03-02-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

It's mind bottling that anyone in canada would pay for a tax program when studio tax is around.

Anyone that has a Mac, such as I do. TurboTax online works great for me. Studio Tax is only Windows compatible.

Bertuzzied · 03-02-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sec218

Anyone that has a Mac, such as I do. TurboTax online works great for me. Studio Tax is only Windows compatible.

Sucker! hehe

I'm sure one of your friends has a pc you can borrow.

zarrell · 03-02-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

It's mind bottling that anyone in canada would pay for a tax program when studio tax is around.

I continue to use Turbo Tax / Quicktax because it is easy to transfer last years data over to this year's. And I've been using their program for years. Doesn't seem worth the hassle to change over and save a couple bucks.

Bertuzzied · 03-02-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zarrell

I continue to use Turbo Tax / Quicktax because it is easy to transfer last years data over to this year's. And I've been using their program for years. Doesn't seem worth the hassle to change over and save a couple bucks.

Studio tax does the same. You just have to do it the first time.

Buzzard · 03-02-2012, 08:51 PM

I did a rough copy of our taxes this year using the try it free versions of Ufile and Turbo Tax. They both ended up to the penny exact. I then tried Studio Tax. Exact same amount so I used it to file. Didn't cost a dime.

cSpooge · 03-02-2012, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

You can do it either way, but I prefer having it all together at once so I can get it finished.

You have to pay instalments if you owe $3K+ two years in a row.

2 of the last 3 not 2 in a row.

Northendzone · 03-02-2012, 09:48 PM

I have used quick tax - which I think is now turbo tax. I like it, it has worked for us and makes preparing and filing relatively painless

macker · 03-02-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

I've always done my own returns (even when they started to get complicated); generally I've found H & R charges terribly high rates (ie: friend/single mom paid over $300.00 last year). Also their staff tend to be trained just weeks before tax season (since its seasonal) and not well versed on tax. For example; I know of cases where they missed basic deductions like premiums paid by employees into health service plans.

I agree that they can charge high rates if not negotiated or reduced by using coupons etc. The guy I deal with there is a very knowlegable and has been working there for years so I have no issue with his training although he does just work there as a hobby during tax season only. He is great to deal and books up quick. He has never actually given me any tax advice but I like the fact that he is submitting everything and I often wonder if people are audited more frequently if they submit their taxes themselves vs having H&R submit? Just my opinion. I am not worried too much about being audited but it would cost me time and that is another benefit of H&R as they have an audit assitance guarantee so you could pass things off to them to deal with for the most part.

squiggs96 · 03-02-2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

It's mind bottling that anyone in canada would pay for a tax program when studio tax is around.

I've never heard of it before today, and I'm an accountant. I just sent texts to five accountants I did my master's with, and not one had heard about it either. It's mind bottling you think every person in Canada has heard of Studio Tax.

I did a quick scan of the site. If you are doing more than 20 returns, you need to pay for it. If you want to bring in your previous returns, you have to do it manually. Some people would rather spend $10-20 on their current program to not have to do it manually since it saves time. It also saves time to not learn a new software program.

Studio Tax might be right for many people, but to say it's mind bottling that anyone in Canada is using another program is dumb. There are many reasons to not use it.

Derek Sutton · 03-03-2012, 12:13 AM

the Governement can't just email you the forms, you fill then out and email them back, avoid the Tax Software Programs all together, it seems very simple. For this reason I still do our taxes the old fashioned way; calculator and pen, well I'm also cheap and our taxes are very straight forward, T4, rrsp, investment income and donations.
I've been told that I could just throw any old numbers in the tax forms and bundle evrything up and mail it all in Homer Simpson style but, I don't have the guts to try it. Has anyone tried this? I seem to miss something every now and then anyways and they send my my corrreted statement and we all move on.

Bertuzzied · 03-03-2012, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I've never heard of it before today, and I'm an accountant. I just sent texts to five accountants I did my master's with, and not one had heard about it either. It's mind bottling you think every person in Canada has heard of Studio Tax.

I did a quick scan of the site. If you are doing more than 20 returns, you need to pay for it. If you want to bring in your previous returns, you have to do it manually. Some people would rather spend $10-20 on their current program to not have to do it manually since it saves time. It also saves time to not learn a new software program.

Studio Tax might be right for many people, but to say it's mind bottling that anyone in Canada is using another program is dumb. There are many reasons to not use it.

Maybe you and your 5 accountant friends should surf more. I guess Studio Tax would be right for many people, except for ones doing MORE than 20 tax returns which is about 2% of the people in Canada. Does a free tax program which offers all the same features as the other paid programs cut into your profits?

Sure you have to transfer in your information for that first year, but after that it carries forward. Even those other programs you had to start off the first year manually typing it in.

drhu22 · 03-03-2012, 12:47 AM

Mind bottling boggles the mind!

eddly · 03-03-2012, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I use UFile. I miss the days of working at a CA firm and using TaxPrep, but this is pretty good. I have employment, consulting, rental and investment income and all forms are accessible.

While using taxprep for free is a decent perk, it doesn't make up for all the hours spent on audits...

cSpooge · 03-03-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

the Governement can't just email you the forms, you fill then out and email them back, avoid the Tax Software Programs all together, it seems very simple. For this reason I still do our taxes the old fashioned way; calculator and pen, well I'm also cheap and our taxes are very straight forward, T4, rrsp, investment income and donations.
I've been told that I could just throw any old numbers in the tax forms and bundle evrything up and mail it all in Homer Simpson style but, I don't have the guts to try it. Has anyone tried this? I seem to miss something every now and then anyways and they send my my corrreted statement and we all move on.

all you get is a letter back with all your crap telling you to do your own taxes.