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FILING THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY
Prefer to do your taxes the old-fashioned way, with paper and pen? You can download copies of forms and publications directly from the IRS and get plenty of expert advice by clicking on the appropriate link in the box to the right of this article.
USING TAX SOFTWARE AND YOUR PC
Spend $10 to $40 on tax preparation software and use your personal computer to do your own taxes. Print and file the hard copies, or file electronically with any of these packages.
TaxCut
Tax preparation software from H&R Block. Choose from several
versions, including Tax Cut Standard for $14.95, Tax Cut for $24.95 (includes free state tax software and free electronic filing, after mail-in rebate), Tax Cut Premium for $39.95 (includes assistance with investment and rental income, home ownership and sales, retirement planning, and family tax strategies, as well as live professional tax advice from H&R Block, after mail-in rebate), and Tax Cut Home and Business for $49.95 (includes everything you need to file your personal and business income tax returns, live professional tax advice from H&R Block, after mail-in rebate, and free state personal return software and free electronic filing).
Turbo Tax
Descriptions and ordering information for Intuit's Turbo Tax software packages, my personal favorite of tax preparation software packages, ranging in price from $29.95 to $59.95 (this version includes a state tax filing version plus a rebate for a free electronic filing).
Tax Act
Tax Act offers a variety of versions, starting from $19.95 for federal and state software. You can save money by using the Web-based software, which requires no download. Pay only the electronic filing fee.
USING WEB-BASED (ONLINE) SOFTWARE
Get your refund in as little as eight days by filing electronically. If you'd rather not purchase software to use on your personal computer, you can use one of these online tax preparation services to file electronically. Before using any online tax preparation site, make sure it's been updated for 2003.
H&R Block
Pay $24.95 for the Standard program. Pay $39.95 for the Premium program, which includes standard plus a free trial offer of Gainskeeper software to calculate capital gains, answers to tax questions via interactive online video, and the ability to ask a tax advisor questions about your taxes. Pay $79.95 for the Signature program, which includes the Premium program plus review of your return by a tax professional, year-round access to a tax advisor, and the promise that if your tax return is audited, H&R Block will accompany you to the IRS audit to answer questions about your return.
Turbo Tax for the Web
Updated for 2003 in mid-January of 2004. TurboTax charges $29.95 to prepare and electronically file a federal tax return before April 1, 2003 ($39.95 after that) using the Deluxe version of the software, and $14.95 for
a state return. Using the online version of the basic Turbo Tax software costs $19.95 before April 1, 2004, and $29.95 after that date. Filing a 1040EZ is only $9.95 ($12.95 after April 1, 2004), and $5.95 for a state return. Voted the easiest to use and the most helpful of Web-based tax preparation services by Money Magazine.
World Wide Web Tax
Updated for 2003. Prepare and e-file your tax return online for $29.95, with no software to download or purchase.
Note: Prices for software and electronic filing may change. Check the Web sites for latest pricing.
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