Many years ago, I started doing my taxes on a simple XL spreadsheet. Very easy to do schedules B & D. As the years progressed, I added SS payouts and soon will need IRA-MRD, also.

Well, this year I received a free copy of Turbo-Tax (You didn't expect a frugal ol' geezer to actually pay for something like that, did you?)

To shorten a long story, this year I ran a trial balance on each — and they agree within $1.00 !! Reaffirms my faith in my accounting capabilities and confirms my decisions not to pay for software that I don't need.

And I obviously won't pay to file electronically. Why should I pay so that the IRS can save money by not key-punching my return?

Geezer

And I obviously won't pay to file electronically. Why should I pay so that the IRS can save money by not key-punching my return?

Some reasons why you might want to consider filing your income tax return electronically --

It's the only way to file a return that produces a legally recognizable acknowlegement that you filed your return.

It reduces errors at the taxpayer end of the filing process.

It reduces errors at the IRS end of the filing process.

It reduces costs for the IRS, which ultimately (theoretically) reduces taxes for taxpayers.

It reduces a lot of the hassles of filing an income tax return. I was really annoyed when I discovered I couldn't file my state income tax return electronically last year. I hope my state enters the 20th Century sometime before the 21st Century is over.

If you buy your copy of TurboTax directly from Intuit, they include a coupon to rebate the price of electronic filing. My tax returns are sufficiently complicated that I prefer to use TurboTax to complete the forms. There are far too many opportunities to make silly math mistakes, and I've already tangled with the IRS enough times that I seek opportunities to avoid further dialog with them.

David Jacobs

Another good reason to file electronically is that if you are getting a refund you will get it a lot quicker.

Another reason to file electronically: If you owe a balance due, you can file now, and have the amount due deducted from your checking account on April 15. (I don't worry about the IRS having my checking account number -- I figure they have that or can get it easlily enough!)

Will

Well, this year I received a free copy of Turbo-Tax (You didn't expect a frugal ol' geezer to actually pay for something like that, did you?)


How did you get a free copy of the software? Any chance I can get it too?

- Donna

It reduces costs for the IRS, which ultimately (theoretically) reduces taxes for taxpayers.

Since it saves them money, why are they charging us to do it that way? Connecticut now has an efile option that is free. Granted the state return is a lot simpler since it piggybacks the Fed return, but even the half price offer from Fidelity for a Fed return is still $9.95. Why so expensive? If they have to charge, then $5.00 seems about right to me.