Best Tax Preparation Questions

[Anonymous]

I'm old fashioned and have always done my taxes with paper and pen. This year I'd like to use tax preparation software since I think I may have been missing out on some deductions. Things get more and more complicated every year! What tax preparation software do you recommend? (for a MAC)
And alternatively, at what point does it make sense to go to an accountant?
Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Yikes, OP here, and I realize I changed the topic of my post part-way through and ended up with a garbled subject line! Sorry about that

[Anonymous]

Personally, I really like turbotax (former corporate tax lawyer and when people ask me questions about personal income tax I just refer them to turbotax).

I don't think you should even think about going to an accountant unless you are self-employed/have a home-based business or maybe rental property.

Note: I always buy the software so my return stays on my machine (I even print out a paper copy to mail in) but you can save a few $ if you want to use their online versions. Also note that the "basic" version, which they hardly ever advertise, is probably enough for anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I really like turbotax (former corporate tax lawyer and when people ask me questions about personal income tax I just refer them to turbotax).

I don't think you should even think about going to an accountant unless you are self-employed/have a home-based business or maybe rental property.

Note: I always buy the software so my return stays on my machine (I even print out a paper copy to mail in) but you can save a few $ if you want to use their online versions. Also note that the "basic" version, which they hardly ever advertise, is probably enough for anyone.

Thank-you very much!!! -OP-

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes, OP here, and I realize I changed the topic of my post part-way through and ended up with a garbled subject line! Sorry about that

LOL! I was hoping that there would be some amusing tax preparation questions in this thread, like, say, can I deduct my marijuana farming expenses if I donate some of my weed to the PTA?

[Anonymous]

I just do whatever TurboTax tells me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yikes, OP here, and I realize I changed the topic of my post part-way through and ended up with a garbled subject line! Sorry about that

LOL! I was hoping that there would be some amusing tax preparation questions in this thread, like, say, can I deduct my marijuana farming expenses if I donate some of my weed to the PTA?

That would have been fun.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know which software to use to prepare 1040NR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I really like turbotax (former corporate tax lawyer and when people ask me questions about personal income tax I just refer them to turbotax).

I don't think you should even think about going to an accountant unless you are self-employed/have a home-based business or maybe rental property.

Note: I always buy the software so my return stays on my machine (I even print out a paper copy to mail in) but you can save a few $ if you want to use their online versions. Also note that the "basic" version, which they hardly ever advertise, is probably enough for anyone.

There's no need to buy the software. I use the online programs and just print copy and also save a PDF file of the entire return. No need to access the returns again through their system. The last few years I've used Tax Act, but really only because it's the cheapest and we have pretty simple taxes. Can't beat $13.95 for both state and federal!

[Anonymous]

Turbo Tax... another rec.