Income Tax Preparation SHOCK!  

I haven't filed my taxes yet,but I was not going to go to H&R Block this year, I wanted to go Jackson Hewitt,because I think H&R messed up on us last year. I did the Turbo Tax online just to see how much we would get back and if Jackson Hewitt has the same results, I know I did it right and I will be doing it online for free next year.

Basically we have different mode of filing our income tax. Usually government workers the taxes are deducted outright based on your earnings (which should not be). So at the end of the year our forms are ready to be printed with all the earnings we earned less all deductions and what remains is our tax. There are some refund or additional taxes to be paid, depending on the reasons. As to private worker, if they are working in only one company, taxes are also deducted based on earnings. There is a schedule of rates to be paid based on the gross. Those who need accountants to do the filing for them are those businessmen who have lots of earnings from different sources. Basically filing income tax is an easy task.

I am glad that you did not give them your money. You can spend it in better ways than that. I am sure that alot of people on here will learn by what you have told them and avoid the large fees.

I have gone to tax preparation place in the past, like H&R Block, and it is nice if you are desparate for money right away. But otherwise it is not worth it. My tax return is pretty simple, so there is no reason I need to pay 20% of my refund, or whatever they charge, to have someone prepare it for me. I buy turbo tax, which much less expensive, and I know they are done right. Plus I can prepare returns for others who need help, like my parents.

My son used FreeTax (an online service); and already has received his refund check! The service is free (and very easy to use) for the short/easy form to file and print a copy. However, there are additional charges to file and print the state copy. Since I always buy a tax program, I told my son we'd do his state taxes then.

Good for you for stepping up and taking charge of your own money... that's wonderful! I've been doing the e-filing the last few years, too... I dread sitting down to do it and procrastinate terribly, but I'm always so happy when it's over!

I have three to file this year but I hope that I won't put it off for too long... I wish the need to do it would just go away. :-)

Just as you, my husband and I filed our taxes with H&R Block (for 10 years!) and they charge an absorbent amount to file. (over $300!!!) I really wanted to try e-filing this year, per suggestion from other friends and relatives but was unsure because this was the first year I've worked in the past ten years. I was doing the stay-at-home mom thing until both kids were in school.
Your discussion has given me new hope for next tax year though. I've heard of using irs.gov and other free filing and I was soooo close to using Turbo tax for only $30. I was astonished at how H&R suggested against us itemizing, considering the fact that we just purchased our first home in 2007... we were told to wait until next year and I'm not sure if she was just being lazy or if it was really not advantageous for us to do it this year. This year has been the smallest refund in the past ten so that's a little depressing but next year I'm planning on pocketing at least an extra $300 = )

I am so pleased that you did not just accept and went to check it out
Well done on you

yes I think that is the best way to go they charge way to much to file for you Think the kids filed for next day cost around $400 hen they didnt get it for 3 weeks for some reason they dont know and the filers still got that money. I do beleive they will do it on line next year!

This year I will file with the husband but this will be my last year doing this.
Next year I will do it on the irs site.
xoxoxoxxoxo