Any thing to be leary of using a "free" online tax service?

[nsl]

I've always done a Federal 1040EZ myself and sent it in the mail, but am exploring online options like Turbotax, etc as long as they are free.
Anyway, are these places reliable, and do they send you a copy for your records?
What about sending a copy of the W2?
How does that work?

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A while back, I tried free TurboTax.
After a while they told me not free for you Bucko!
I guess what I'm saying is it's only free for very simple returns and the limits before they want to charge you aren't always clearly defined and stated.
I realize that the concept of folks trying to con you on the internet is a new one?
Doorbell! Probably my money from Nigeria!
So I download TurboTax and slog through it.
So maybe try these 'nice' folks.
At least it's a name I recognize.

Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free | Internal Revenue Service

 

[hoosierone]

I've used OnLine.com taxes for several years. No problems.

 

[Salty RI]

The bank we do business with has a online service for free, I have never used it also our senior center has people that will do it fro free.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk

 

[johngalt]

Nothing is free. I would be concerned they are selling your data.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Whatever you pay to have your tax return completed correctly is a pittance compared to the pain in completing it incorrectly . . .

 

[DWalt]

If you have a very simple taxable income stream (such as little or nothing beyond a W-2), why would you want to get away from just using the 1040EZ? Even using the 1040 is simple unless you have some more complicated issues, such as capital gains and losses, rental income, dividends, interest, deductions, partnership income, etc. you don't understand how to handle.

 

[pawngal]

If you have a very simple taxable income stream (such as little or nothing beyond a W-2), why would you want to get away from just using the 1040EZ? Even using the 1040 is simple unless you have some more complicated issues, such as capital gains and losses, rental income, dividends, interest, deductions, partnership income, etc. you don't understand how to handle.

The 1040EZ and 1040A no longer exist. Just the 1040.

 

[hittman77]

Free is worth every penny you pay and is equally as good.

 

[Muss Muggins]

If you haven't looked at your taxes yet, be ready for an unpleasant surprise. If you live in Missouri, double that. The DOR Director screwed up the withholding table last year, and almost everyone owes the state still . . .

 

[nsl]

Just did both my state and federal by hand, and used H&R Block online (I didn't submit it yet), and they came out the exact same.
H&R Block GTG???

 

[S-W4EVER]

We use H&R Block but in person. Same tax preparer every year too.

 

[pharmer]

I use the $50 Turbotax for last 20 years. We made 5% more money this year, lost an exemption. Imported most everything from last last year. Got a check for $ 265 just yesterday. Last year we owed $2. Well worth the $50. Joe.

 

[old bear]

If you haven't done your 2018 takes yet get ready for a rude surprise. Most refunds will be less than in the past and many will owe additional tax.

For many years I always got a SMALL refund both Federal and State. For 2018, I have to send additional $$ to both the Feds and the stare.

 

[Bozz10mm]

For $29.99 you can order the Turbo Tax Deluxe software from Amazon. That's cheaper than downloading it from the TT website. Plus you get one free Federal E-File. I did my taxes on the computer, e-filed it, and had my refund in 7 days.

That's fine for folks like me that don't have to file state income tax. I think the version with state tax is $10 more.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I am a tax attorney, so I lean toward paid preparers. Some people can do it correctly. Others are only getting themselves in trouble, but it is a kindler, gentler IRS these days as long as you cough up the tax, penalties and interest. I will say that there is a lot less fraud perpetrated on those who file paper returns.

 

[leswad]

If you haven't done your 2018 takes yet get ready for a rude surprise. Most refunds will be less than in the past and many will owe additional tax.

For many years I always got a SMALL refund both Federal and State. For 2018, I have to send additional $$ to both the Feds and the stare.

On a positive note, the government was not making interest on your money

 

[BigBoy99]

If you haven't done your 2018 takes yet get ready for a rude surprise. Most refunds will be less than in the past and many will owe additional tax.

For many years I always got a SMALL refund both Federal and State. For 2018, I have to send additional $$ to both the Feds and the stare.

You can't please the IRS as last year I didn't have enough $ withheld and I had to pay when I filed my taxes. I then got a fine from the IRS because I didn't have enough money withheld and I had to pay. It's OK if the IRS has your money and gives it back to you but you can't own them!

I had to pay estimated taxes for this past year and now I'm going to be getting a refund this year.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Any dangers? Let's see, we upload everything (full names, social security numbers, addresses, etc) to a free tax service's internet server, a pretty obvious target for hackers and identity thieves.

I prefer to use an experienced tax accountant, IRS registered agent, do business face to face in a professional office. Without exception our guy has saved us more than his fee every year.

 

[S&WOkie]

I have used TurboTax online as long as I can remember. I've never had any problems with my returns or my refunds and I have never had my stuff hacked.

 

[billwill]

The only thing to worry about with taxes is... how big is the IRS hand that is in your pocket searching for your last dime?

 

[Mark S.]

I've used the paid for Turbo Tax disc for a number of years with no problems.

This year rather than buy the disc I used the free on-line Turbo Tax. My return is simple and using the standard deductions I completed it in about 15 minutes.

Refund was direct deposited to my bank within 3 weeks.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Mine isn't too complex. I have W2s for myself and the wife, some interest and dividend income, and the occasional capital gain from sale of an investment. I used Tax Act for several years, but switched to Turbo Tax - the program you install on your computer, not the online version. This is the third year for Turbo Tax. I'm a happy camper.

My income is over the limit for the free stuff, so I have to pay. The disc version costs less than the online version when you have to pay for it. It may also be a bit more secure since your information is stored on your local machine rather than "in the cloud," at least until you transmit it to the IRS.

This year despite the .gov shutdown I had my refund in under a week.

 

[JohnRippert]

I have used TurboTax online as long as I can remember. I've never had any problems with my returns or my refunds and I have never had my stuff hacked.

Same here. Turned mine in online the first week of February. Got my refund deposited about 10 days later. My taxes are quite simple. Even with the 5K larger personal deduction I got a couple hundred less this year since they withheld so much less last year. Should still have enough to pay for about half the tub replacement and minor tile work in the master bathroom.

 

[gregintenn]

I've used freefilefillableforms.com for several years now. It is just an online version of the paper forms. It works fine. I have no idea who owns it, how it's free, or what they do with my information.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Whatever you pay to have your tax return completed correctly is a pittance compared to the pain in completing it incorrectly . . .

If you have a "simple tax return" (W-2 earnings or Social Security, or both with just interest income, and then use the "Standard Deduction"), you should be fine. However, I am extremely concerned about security! The website that you find may have all of the pictures, logos, data and information that you would expect, but is it a scam, phishing, or fraud? Is the website host in another country?

On par and in conjunction with "security" is "identity theft", the latter can require several years of our time to correct the damages, along with potentially enormous financial costs. It's still on the IRS "Dirty Dozen" list - Dirty Dozen | Internal Revenue Service
As a tax practitioner, I'm also on the distribution list for mailings from the Federal Trade Commission. It's a huge problem, becoming bigger with the passage of time!

You should not need to send in a copy of your W-2 form. Most tax software requires that the data be transferred or transposed in to the program.

You should always be provided with the hard (printed) or soft copy of your filed tax return.

The contents of these two articles provide excellent summary information regarding the provisions of the new tax laws that became effect January 1, 2018:

Tax Reform 2018 Explained and 2019 Tax Filing Tips | MagnifyMoney

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5307.pdf


Bill

 

[nachogrande]

YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? Call me paranoid, but putting your name, SS #, & all other personal info online??? Even if they are legit, what if they get hacked? NO THANKS. "NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH", a BIG RED FLAG for me.