any major changes to the tax filing software for 2020's taxes?

I have used both in the past but I used TaxCut last year so may just go that route.

Any comments ?

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I have been using H&R Block software for a number of years. Amazon discounts it regularly with free Fed filing and 1 state download for free. It costs $20 to file the state.

I switched reading the tax instructions each year to do my own taxes until Parson's Technology came out with its tax software. When it was sold to Intuit, I then switched to Intuit's Turbo Tax and have been using it ever since.

I can't see one tax software being inherently significantly better than another since it's all based on the same IRS rules. If there was a major or continuous foul up with one of the big makers, the others would trumpet it to gain market share.

I've used a few different ones over the years, but settled on TurboTax for the past 10ish years due to personal preference/ease of use.

If you don't have a super-complicated tax situation, they're probably roughly equivalent. One may have an advantage over the other in more complex tax situations, but in that case, you're likely better off just paying someone else to do your taxes anyway.

I've been using Block for a couple of decades. I won't say my tax situation is especially complicated, but I do have investments, and run a small business out of my home, so maybe more than some people. I usually have to figure the Sched. C/Sched. A split several ways before finding the lowest aggregate tax liability. As far as "paying someone to do your taxes" goes...1) I don't expect anyone would work as hard as I do to squeeze out those last few $$$, and 2) the biggest PITA is assembling documents and printing reports from the accounting software, not simply filling out IRS forms, which is all that the tax prep. guys do, they don't relieve you of your biggest headaches.

I've been using Turbotax since around 1983 or so. Never a problem.

Even my Financial Advisor recommends it highly.

I used Taxcut until I switched from a PC to a MAC. Taxcut does not download on my MAC so I now use TurboTax.

Both programs are fine and easy to navigate.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
.1) I don't expect anyone would work as hard as I do to squeeze out those last few $$$

You've clearly never met a truly nerdy passionate accountant who really gets off on squeezing every last penny out of a tax return.

(I'm not talking about Joe Schmoe the temporary employee who works the walk-in desk at H&R Block from January-April. I wouldn't trust them to do their best either. I'm talking about a real tax guy. )

Another vote for TurboTax. TaxCut did not impress me the one year that I used it for a change of pace.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 12GA,

I've tried most of them and I like taxact the best. Easies to used software and returns seem bigger.

I use whatever software my accountant Dave uses.
I
This year they went totally digital and I scan and send all of my paperwork to a secure site.

They electronically file everything needed for two states. I get a flashdrive back with the returns on it and a few pieces of actual hard copy with is the quarterly filing forms.

I tried TurboTax many years back. I didn't have the patience to look up the codes and requirements for deductions.

Plus as a longtime client I have the ability to pick up a phone or send an email and have a question answered.

But what really solidified my loyalty to this firm was from four years ago. My wife suddenly passed away. I had no idea which way to turn as far as the finance changes needed. He sat down with me for almost two hours and outlined everything I needed to do. He contacted a great lawyer in the area of estate law that set up my trust for all property.

He never charged me a dime for that assistance.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
I've been using Turbotax since around 1983 or so. Never a problem.
Even my Financial Advisor recommends it highly.

Same here.
I use the Home and Business version which is currently on sale @ Sams for $64.88.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/tur...28?xid=plp_product_2

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
I used Taxcut until I switched from a PC to a MAC. Taxcut does not download on my MAC so I now use TurboTax.

Both programs are fine and easy to navigate.

I've used TaxCut for years, and the last five or so I've been using a MacBook laptop. I've never had a problem with downloading to the Mac. (Yet!)

Turbo Tax is good to go for my family. No problems .

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

I use the Home and Business version which is currently on sale @ Sams for $64.88.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/tur...28?xid=plp_product_2

I use the Premier version as it's the one that has the forms needed for Stocks and Bonds.

I've used the H/R block software the past 5 years, but this year it couldn't properly address having two form 1098's, so I switched to TurboTax which was able to cope,