How Do You File?

[Joann Raytar]

For those not from the states, this is the start of that wonderful time of year when most of us Yanks start pulling our hair out over filling our taxes and dealing with Uncle Sam.

• Internal Revenue Service: The Digital Daily

The poll above is for those OptiBoarders from the US. I am allowing multiple choices for those of you who file your federal returns in a different manner from state returns if you have any.

How do you chose to file? Would you folks mind sharing your thoughts on electronic filing? Personally, I wish we could complete more government related tasks online; I would love never to have to see the inside of the DMV again.

[Jubilee]

TURBO TAX BABY!!!:D

I have been using E-file since 1994...I love it! Between having a simple program like Turbo Tax to help you get it all in and organized...the being able to file electronically..its the greatest. I get a confirmation number so I KNOW they got it. I retain a copy on my computer and a copy to print for my records. Intuit backs up their program and takes care of any errors it may make. With the new paperless system, I don't even have to send in my w-2's or sign..I have an electronic signature (a passcode basically) so I can send it off electronically, nothing to snail mail, and I receive my refund via direct deposit in normally 2-3 weeks!

I give e-file a 2 thumbs up!!

As for our DMV, we now can take care of our plates renewals through the internet as well as ATM like machines.. very convient!

Cassandra

[Bev Heishman]

I do the same. It is fast efficient and when we have a refund WONDERFUL!

[Jeff Trail]

Oh to go back to the EZ days :) ..Last year my Corp. tax return was 142 pages and my "personal" was 92 pages!!! YIKES ..I would love to be able to get it done in the old EZ form...
The worst part is that my bill from teh accountant (besides my normal monthly fee) was the Corp. tax and personal was $650!
I miss those days of taking 20 minutes..filling out the EZ and jump up and down because I was getting a couple hundred back.
We do not even file for a state income tax ..or I guess I could have said my return was a novel..
I want a FLAT tax and be done with it..

Jeff"changed my mind, it's not the Ins. companies that is a racket it's accountants" Trail :)

[Steve Machol]

I'm with Jublilee - Turbo Tax with E-file all the way. Works great! :)

[Jackie L]

My handsome husband, Brian, is in the navy and they offer a free professional service. It is filed electronically. E is the only way to go!

[Rich R]

Looks like I'm the oddball, I've used Taxcut for the past 6 or 8 years, print em out and file paper.
Prior to that I was doing them without computer help.
Guess it's time for me to catch up to the rest of the world and E file.
Rich R.

[Johns]

I'm with you Jeff...the days of emptying the old shoebox onto the accountant's desk are long gone. My 2002 return weight over 9 lbs ! It's not hard to remember because I just filed it in October !

[hcjilson]

If you have ever seen the library of an accountants office then you have an idea of what all the tax laws look like when they are put together and professionally bound. The tax laws are so complicated that one individual could not possibly know them all. This was no accident and the reason for it is rather self serving to the legal and accounting professions. They made them that way so you would need them in order to avoid over paying your tax.

If all you are doing is dealing with W-2s and savings interest etc on a personal basis, your taxes can be done rather easily. If you are doing it for your business, prudence would dictate a professional tax preparer who is more familiar with the regs.

the view from cape cod this AM

hj

[Lee Prewitt]

I'll vote for TurboTax!! After having the accountant do personal taxes to the tune of 400.00, I decided to use TurboTax. For 40.00, it only took 30 minutes and 2 weeks for the refund. I will admit to using the accountants copy to make sure that I didn't miss anything.

[PAkev]

I guess I am another odd ball. I found that I must present my tax return to a few resources throughout the year and therefore like having the meat and potatoes warm in the pot and ready to dish out (all the papers readilly on hand).

Another reason is the fact that my formal college degree is in accounting with a minor in marketing. So it makes me feel intrinsically motivated in recovering my educational investment when I am able to sit down with a calculator, papers and an ink pen.

I did purchase an electronic tax program several years ago in a pinch with only 1 week to go until the deadline. I was frankly disappointed since it required just as much time for me to understand the program instructions and enter the information as it did for me to manually complete the forms. I am sure the software is more user friendly now and will probably end up giving it another fair chance in the near future.

Regardless of the method used, I believe the key to an easy tax return is good record keeping throughout the year. "Shoebox" accounting is a nightmare and almost a sure way to get slam dunked in the event of an audit.

Kevin

[EyeManFla]

Trubo Tax for the last four years. Now I am helping others in the office to get the hang of e-filing. My refund will be in my bank account by mid February.

[Traci]

Had to vote for the professional tax preparer! Already have to much to worry about and no time to spare!

[Joann Raytar]

I love e-file! My state return came in less than a week! :D

Now, do I save it or spend it? I say that as if there is an option.