# Did My Taxes On-Line **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 22, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555 "2006-02-22T00:23:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/1 "2006-02-22T00:23:31Z")
Despite the hubbub in a recent thread, once again I did my taxes, as well as my SO’s taxes on-line - cost $9.95 each. My SO had medical expenses and gambling win/lose to calculate. I had the same, plus mortgage interest and a few other deductions and sources of income. In other words, these were not just the simple forms. Didn’t take me long at all, there were no hidden fees, and (assuming all is approved by the IRS) we should have our refunds directly deposited into our checking accounts in about two weeks or less. If you are not happy with the results, _you don’t have to pay a thing_ until you hit that **submit button** at the end! They also have other ways to get your refunds (or pay what you might owe), so there are quite a few options at the end to pick from. So, as I have said in the past, you can go to H&R Block and those kinds of folk if you want, but filing on-line is fast, easy and reliable (have done so for the past several years with no problems). BTW, I used [taxslayer.com](http://taxslayer.com) (and I have no affiliation with them whatsoever) and it was an easy, on-line program to do. If you want, you can spend $10 more (total $19.95) and download their software - although I see no need to do that. Just thought I would mention this as I am sure there are several people reading this who have not done their taxes yet and I heartily recommend using this, or any number of other IRS approved on-line software. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/2 "2006-02-22T00:48:23Z")
I used Turbo-Tax for a couple of years, and then got lazy and started taking everything to a local accountant. He’s getting me better refunds, but maybe that’s because I goofed up. Our returns aren’t complicated – wages, pension income, the usual. Cost me $75, but they make all the pretty copies and keep a file for me, and they also file electronically. Should have the refund in about 10 days. Last year it was faster than that. I was disappointed that our medical costs this year were high enough to qualify (a percentage of adjusted gross income) but we still came out better using the standard deductions. I saved all those receipts for nothing! It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that the professional tax preparers use the same software as the on-line sites. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/3 "2006-02-22T01:12:00Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > …they make all the pretty copies and keep a file for me, and they also file electronically… Same as on-line…I printed out a pretty copy (could have printed several copies if I wanted to) and they keep it on file for next year and I filed it electronically as well… But if you are happy with your guy, good for you. And yes, I bet he probably is using the same exact on-line software, or at least a close variation of it. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/4 "2006-02-22T01:16:21Z")
I have used TurboTax for the last 6 years and I like it. The taxes got more and more complicated over time so I upgraded from their Basic to Deluxe package. I used the Deluxe package this year and was struggling along with mediocre returns until it got to questions about damage to property. We had a massive tree strike this year that caused over $200,000 damage to our circa 1760 colonial home. Boom. No taxes owed. I got nervous about that but we have been living in a hotel for the past three months and have complete demolition and reconstruction documents to show what has happened and the massive loss that we sustained. After I read more about it, I filed for a complete return of all taxes and got it back. I didn’t anticipate getting it but we did and that was good news. I wouldn’t expect anyone to get me better than zero (federal) taxes so I am a happy customer. ---
**Author:** ![Otanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Otanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otanx)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/5 "2006-02-22T04:08:55Z")
If you are in the military you can use TurboTax online for free. Just go to [armyonesource.com](http://armyonesource.com) and follow the links from there. I did both mine, and my wifes taxes that way, and all I have to do is get off my lazy rear, and hook up the USB cable to the printer, print them out, and mail em off. We are filling seperatly so can’t e-file this year. -Otanx ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/6 "2006-02-22T17:13:05Z")
I’ve done mine online for years now. I wouldn’t do it any other way. This year was harder than most because we sold a lot of stock last year that was accumulated over years, but it was still easier than doing it on paper. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/7 "2006-02-22T17:19:51Z")
I just used TurboTax to do my first ever tax return. It wanted me to pay $15 to e-file my state return which would net me a refund of $38. No thanks. But I did spend the $15 to file my federal taxes, partly because I’ve played mail-and-fax tag with the IRS before and don’t feel the need to do it again. Funny little extra note–TurboTax wanted another $30 to automatically deduct my $15 fee from my refund. In other words, it would’ve happily taken $45 to file my $38 return. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/8 "2006-02-22T22:15:25Z")
I usually use H&R Block online, but this year I have to refile 2004 (because my Uncle needs to get his head out of his ass re: estate distribution) so I think I’ll just take it in to the office this year, rather than try and do it all online. Sigh. I usually owe at least $200 and have to pay to have them done. I hate this time of year. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/9 "2006-02-22T22:21:12Z")
I used Turbo Tax and filed on Sunday. Today, my refund was deposited in my account. Dang - if I’d mailed the forms, they’d have just gotten them today. Wonder how long the Feds will take? ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/10 "2006-02-22T22:30:41Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I used Turbo Tax and filed on Sunday. Today, my refund was deposited in my account. Dang - if I’d mailed the forms, they’d have just gotten them today. > > Wonder how long the Feds will take? The Feds do their refunds on Friday, so no sooner than this Friday and probably no later than next Friday. I have used taxcut online for four years now and have never had a complain. Simple, fast, efficient. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-taxes-on-line/345555/11 "2006-02-22T23:15:35Z")
Yeah, I’ve gotten my tax refund back already. I’ve been e-filing three years now.