Two sites we found, 2nd Story Software's TaxAct and ElectroTax, allow you to download software to your computer for free, prepare your return, and then file it electronically through their sites. Storing sensitive financial data on someone else's server involves a certain degree of trust, and if that's not for you, other computer-based options are available. Be careful, though a single incorrect answer might force you to start over from scratch. It can import data from your Quicken file and offers lots of information and customized help. Its format is totally question-and-answer you fill in the forms for free but can't access them until you pay your fee ($19.95 each for federal and state returns). ![]() ![]() But WebTurboTax comes closest to working like traditional software. It also took the longest, requiring almost two hours of our time. WebTurboTax: This Intuit-owned site is the slickest and most costly of the bunch. returns filing both electronically costs $14.95. It took us an hour and 20 minutes to prepare both federal and D.C. ![]() Navigation among the input screens and forms is also a bit challenging. A wayward period or comma earns you a snippy error box. Unfortunately, the on-screen questionnaires are visually as dull and fussy as IRS forms. : This site uses the interview technique: your answers to a long series of questions fill in the return. We did get a return prepared, minus the Schedule C information, in 25 minutes, though. Recording a W-2 is a seemingly endless process. The forms here also are unforgiving enter a punctuation mark in the wrong place and you'll get an error message. It's a limited site, though we weren't able to create a Schedule C to record rental income, for example, and you're required to choose which forms to use, something tax novices will find difficult. ![]() FileSafe doesn't offer state returns.į: Now in its third year, this site also offers free preparation and charges $14 for electronic filing of the basic return, plus $3 per additional form used. The site works well (aside from halting us for a day with an enigmatic error message) our moderately complex federal return took about an hour. Calculation is automatic, and each form is tested for errors as you complete it. Rather than hide the tax forms behind a question-and-answer user interface, this system lets you directly fill in the forms you need. To file your return electronically and print a copy, though, you'll need to pay $14.95 by credit card. Do you really want to treat your tax return like a beta test?įileSafe: As with all the sites we list here, you must register for free access. Well, you can, but be warned: This means working out on the leading edge, where things can go wrong. Surely, in these days of Web-based everything, you can dial up a site, plug in your numbers, and hit the send button to file it, can't you? Is there a task more burdensome than doing your taxes? That's why we've cheered the evolution of tax preparation software.īut using software still means going to the computer store or enduring a long download, and it means paying the equivalent of a nice meal or two for a package you'll use only once (we hope).
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