# Turbo Tax question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331 "2017-03-16T19:42:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/1 "2017-03-16T19:42:35Z")
I file my Taxes and ex wifes taxes on turbo tax. Mine go through as normal and I have to make a payment. Hers show no money owed and it does not file. Does this mean I don’t have to file for her if she doesn’t owe anything? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/2 "2017-03-16T19:50:09Z")
There are numerous conditions under which one is not required to file a return. For example, if you’re filing Married Filing Separately and she earned less than $4,050 last year, she doesn’t need to file a return. You can use the IRS’s own tool to determine whether you need to file or not: > **[Do I Need to File a Tax Return? | Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return)** > > ITA Home > > This interview will help you determine if you're required to file a federal tax return or if you should file to receive a refund. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/3 "2017-03-16T20:26:41Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > There are numerous conditions under which one is not required to file a return. > > For example, if you’re filing Married Filing Separately and she earned less than $4,050 last year, she doesn’t need to file a return. > > You can use the IRS’s own tool to determine whether you need to file or not: > > [Do I need to file a tax return? | Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/uac/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return) I did that quiz and it states she should file. I wonder why turbo tax is not giving me a filing option. It says she owes nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/4 "2017-03-16T22:21:23Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I did that quiz and it states she should file. I wonder why turbo tax is not giving me a filing option. It says she owes nothing. TurboTax offers an online chat with one of their professionals…ask them. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/5 "2017-03-16T22:44:34Z")
You could always print out the forms, put them in an envelope, and stick a stamp on it. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/6 "2017-03-16T22:54:47Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I did that quiz and it states she should file. I wonder why turbo tax is not giving me a filing option. It says she owes nothing. Her balance is exactly zero? She has nothing coming back? Also, the “ex wife” thing may be problematic WRT filing taxes on the same Turbo Tax. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/7 "2017-03-16T23:19:59Z")
I don’t think that’s a problem. My brother would buy a license for one of the tax prep programs (I think he used Taxcut) and would prepare his own taxes, those for my/his parents, his in-laws, etc. This is after installing the program on only one computer. I’m pretty sure the license even says you can do so. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/8 "2017-03-17T00:07:33Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Her balance is exactly zero? She has nothing coming back? > > Also, the “ex wife” thing may be problematic WRT filing taxes on the same Turbo Tax. I pay the 29.00 minimum fee instead of using the free option. We have two sperate accounts on one computer. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/9 "2017-03-17T00:18:29Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > You could always print out the forms, put them in an envelope, and stick a stamp on it. Yes, this. When e-filing is giving you a headache, print out your return, sign it, attach a copy of W-2 (if you have one) and mail it to the IRS. Having zero balance due does not exempt you from having to file a tax return. In many cases, the IRS cannot accurately determine how much you owe without looking at your tax return. Either there is something wonky with TT or maybe you made a mistake somewhere in data entry or answering the questions? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/10 "2017-03-17T03:02:45Z")
Just because you owe no taxes on April 15 doesn’t mean you don’t have to file. If you have $100,000 worth of taxes and $100,000 worth of withholdings you don’t owe anything but you have to file. **DCnDC** has the best answer in post #2. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/11 "2017-03-17T07:50:11Z")
Not 100% sure on this, but from my many years using TurboTax I \*think \* the following is true. TurboTax includes only one e-filing in the price. You can legitimately use it per their license to prepare several unrelated people’s returns. But only the first one will e-file. In a similar manner, they also include the software for one state’s return for free. You pick the state and it downloads for free. But if you need to do multiple states, whether two states for one individual’s return or one state each for different individuals you need to pay extra. Same idea. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/12 "2017-03-17T11:37:38Z")
Her income is social security and a small w-2. Total under $20,000. I might just take it over to HR block. They do it for free. I feel bad because they wont even accept a tip. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/13 "2017-03-17T12:38:07Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > They do it for free. I feel bad because they wont even accept a tip. Bring them cookies. Everybody accepts cookies. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/14 "2017-03-17T12:51:37Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Bring them cookies. Everybody accepts cookies. That is a great idea! ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/15 "2017-03-17T13:00:38Z")
Those guys are still getting paid. They’re not actually doing it for free. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turbo-tax-question/782331/16 "2017-03-17T16:30:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Not 100% sure on this, but from my many years using TurboTax I \*think \* the following is true. > > TurboTax includes only one e-filing in the price. You can legitimately use it per their license to prepare several unrelated people’s returns. But only the first one will e-file. Yes, you can use it to prepare as many people’s returns as you want, but it includes only one e-filing. You can, however, pay for additional e-filings. (Last time I checked it was $12 a pop, but don’t know what it is today.)