« Seagate…Preventing Sob Stories | Home | Conversations about “Casual Friday” {brought to you by Jag Jeans} »
THAT was easy…{our taxes are done and it’s not even March}
By Stephanie | February 28, 2009
Several years back, my husband and I went to H&R Block to get our taxes done. We dutifully brought our paperwork and sat in front of a guy in his sixties. He asked us question after question – prompted by the computer screen in front of him. The process was long – mundane – and there were a few questions that we couldn’t answer because we had forgotten this receipt or that document.
Then, we (okay, fine…my husband…he’s really the Tax Guy around here) discovered TurboTax. And we’ve been trying to persuade our friends to switch over ever since.
It’s Simple. Easy. Affordable. Convenient. Perfect for Busy Parents.
And TurboTax guarantees that you’ll get your biggest possible tax refund.
This is how wonderful it is: You sit down at your computer and answer questions in your timeframe (the process is streamlined and organized). You can even collect the necessary paperwork as you go.
Oops! The baby is crying or dinner needs to be made or your daughter’s basketball game starts in five minutes! No problem! Just save it and come back later. No rush, no hassle.
As you go, your “totals” will adjust so that you know how much you owe…or how much you will be refunded. And TurboTax even “flags” any potential problems.
Best of all, if you use TurboTax once, filing your taxes in subsequent years is even easier because the program will automatically import your tax info from the previous year. Sweet!
Still worried it will be confusing? You can live chat with a TurboTax rep 24/7 or call the FREE hotline.
It’s easy-peasy. Try it once and you’ll be a “convert” forever. Well, at least until you become a billionaire. Then, you might want to hire a pro…
YOUR TURN: Have you filed your taxes yet? “How” (TurboTax, H&R, private accountant, etc.) do you usually file?
WIN IT! There will be three winners. Each winner will receive a code to file their Federal and State tax returns…FREE…with TurboTax (good for Premier bundle, valued at $85). To enter, leave a topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, March 9 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
*UPDATE* The winners are #24 Jeremy, #100 Darcie, and #105 Krissy. Congratulations!
Topics: contests, money management, product review | 119 Comments »
February 28th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
turbo tax rocks! what a life saver!! :)
[Reply]
February 28th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
last year i filed mine via taxslayer and plan on doing the same thing this year but i am STILL waiting on a 1099….i know it was already supposed to get here, so i’m getting annoyed because i WANT my refund =) and i’m too afraid to file before i get it b/c i don’t know the exact amount it will have listed on it….BUMMER!
autumn398 (at) yahoo.com
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 5:42 am
I like getting it done at Jackson Hewitt because they give you Refund anticipation loans and if they make a mistake on how much you are getting back they cover it for up to 7k. I like getting my money now! IT does cost more, I guess I wouldn’t mind waiting though if I got more and I didn’t need it for anything important we already got our federal and state taxes back this year though so unless this extends to next tax time I don’t think I could use it. I have been wanting to try it though, looks cool.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 9:11 am
I wish this also did taxes for other countries! We are facing a tax from SE Asia (an effort to kick most NGOs out… not the smartest move).
I am going to email you my birth story, Steph… Promise. Life’s just busy. We should get together sometime. ARe you free to hang out?
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 9:15 am
We just went to our accountant but maybe we should try it on our own next year. I like the sound advise he gives us each year, but I don’t like the $200 price tag.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 10:48 am
I always lay it all out and do it by hand and swear I’ll never do it again…each year. I just can’t handle spending $ to do my taxes (which should be free). So, if I when this, I’ll be sooooo happy!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 10:57 am
ALready filed and refund recieved! (I always do my taxes right when we get all of the info from employers and banks, etc)Wahoo! I have been using Turbo Tax for atleast 10 years! I love it! If I do win, I would pass my code on to a family member who has yet to do thiers =)
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 11:34 am
For the past few years we have used an accountant because Joe owned his own business (I was not going to tackle those taxes). Our accountant was also a friend and I always felt as if we could get a bigger return elsewhere. Once I have everything organzied I am going to try and use turbo tax and see how it goes – if it is horrible I will go back to the accountant – but we will see. I would love to try this out.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
We’ve been using Turbo Tax for years, and we love it! What’s great is that I can also do my business taxes at the same time, easy-peasy. We filed ours a few weeks ago and already got our refund. I’m getting a new office space soon. Woo hoo!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Wow, what a timely gift. My husband and I were just saying that money is too tight to go with H & R Block this year, so winning this would take the sting out of the fact that we have to figure out how to do taxes!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Doing taxes by hand is quite a nuisance!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 2:59 pm
gosh i hate doing taxes, you dont even wanna know. enter me please
i havent done ours yet
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
First: don’t worry about entering me, my taxes were filed early in February and have already been returned. Yay!
We started using Turbo Tax the year after we were married. So… this has been our 8th year using it. It *really* turned into a lifesaver when we moved and started renting out our condo instead of selling it. Suddenly, having a rental really seemed to make taxes complicated. But Turbo Tax Premier makes it SUPER easy! I look at the completed forms at the end of the whole filing process, and I’m immensely relieved that I didn’t have to try to fill out those forms myself. Turbo Tax really does make the process *so* easy! We eagerly go back to it year after year, despite the cost of the program. It just makes life easier. And hey – can’t complain about returns in the thousands of dollars, either!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Already filed our taxes and got our refunds (and spent it LOL). We also use Turbo Tax (home and business) and have been for many years. It’s a really good program.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I have not filed my taxes, I’m afraid to. You see, most of my friends and family have already filed and had to pay money. I lost my job and I am on unemployment. I can’t afford to pay the government any money. I don’t want to get into any trouble but I need this software in order to get the maximum deductions possible in order to reduce the amount I owe!! I need the help!! Turbo Tax is the help I need for my taxes!!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 4:01 pm
We’ve been discussing getting this so we can get our taxes done. I’d sooo love to win so we can save the money! Turbo Tax rocks!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I would love to try Turbo Tax espcecially since you said it was easy. I’m a bit math challanged.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I do my taxes myself, no preparer, no tax software. I haven’t filed yet.
Great giveaway. Thanks!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I’m not trying to win. I already did our family taxes for the year. I use H&R Block TaxCut online. It’s pretty user-friendly.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I do my own as well as my Mom’s, aunt’s and brothers. Pain in the butt!
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
i haven’t filed mine yet, i use either turbo tax or tax cut
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
No, I haven’t done it yet (augh!) I’ve only had a pro do it once, because it seemed to sorting out what we needed was the worst part. I usually use Turbo Tax. (At least I don’t scream as much as I used to with other software and before software.) Each year, we add more and more complications. I’m not looking forward to it (who does?) but winning the software would take some of the pain out of it.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I love turbo tax and I’ve used it for several years before my husband and I got married. It made doing my taxes VERY easy and helped me take advantage of all the exemptions I was eligible for
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I’ve completed my taxes but I haven’t filed them yet. In the past I’ve primarily used TurboTax. I’ve also tried H&R Block’s website and had a so-so experience with it.
[Reply]
March 1st, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Having tried others, I find Turbo Tax to be the best. I have not done my taxes yet this year.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:18 am
tax time is grand for some people… I don’t have any dependents though.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 am
Haven’t filed yet. I usually use a private accountant. I’d like to try this and save some money. Thanks for the giveaway.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:09 am
I’ve not done my taxes yet. Generally my brother does them with Turbo Tax!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:34 am
I have never tried Turbo Tax. My brother tried it this year and he finished his taxes in less time than it takes to go see an accountant!!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 am
filed my taxes? is it april? I have used turbo tax for the last few years — wonderful! excellent job.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
I have to get this done soon. I could really use this!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:39 am
I don’t need to win our taxes are almost finished – I use H&R Block’s online “Tax Cut” software. It is awesome!
Now all I have to do is go over all the numbers one more time and make sure I’ve got everything right…
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 am
i love turbo tax
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:03 am
TurboTax is #1
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 am
you know what old ab said about taxes.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 am
We don’t do our own taxes usually. With this software we would give it a shot.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:24 am
My husband does our taxes too though I din’t know what software he uses. We got our return almost a month ago. :)
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Turbo Tax is the best thing to happen to taxes since the 401(k) and the 1041 exchange!!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:05 am
we haven’t filed just yet. We love turbotax. It’s the most user freindly of all the software available out there. thanks!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 am
I just did my taxes but haven’t tried Turbo Tax and would love to!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I’d like to manage to file my taxes on my own, shouldn’t be complicated enough to pay someone.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Personally I have use Turbo Taxes online software in the past and loved the format and the control I had over preparing my own taxes
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Please count me in!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Having tried others, I find Turbo Tax to be the best. I have not done my taxes yet this year
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I use Turbo Premier each year and I love it. I have yet to purchase this years copy and free would be great. Especially since my hours at work have been cut back and money is tight.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Enter me please
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
We haven’t even started working on our taxes. I have a feeling that we are going to owe a whole lot. It would be nice to not have to pay for the program this year.
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Nope. File by paper
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Haven’t filed yet, but last year I used Turbo Tax. It was a life saver!
[Reply]
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Had a job move last year. I need this for figuring out all the hassle.
[Reply]
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 am
wow
[Reply]
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
We just sit around the dining room table each year and manually scrawl out notes and fill in the forms. Not elegant but we haven’t been audited yet. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
[Reply]
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I haven’t filed my taxes yet. We usually e-file, but things are a little more complex this year and I’m not sure if I’m comfortable e-filing.
[Reply]
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:20 pm
We used to do the H&R Block thing, but the last year or two Chris has been doing it himself. It’d be lovely to have a program to follow instead of some inexpensive (but possibly iffy) website, though! I’ve obviously heard of TurboTax, but never used it before. Oh random number generator gods, be kind and choose number 54!
[Reply]
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
If I win I can save some money, I used to pay 200 bucks each year to have my taxes done. I hope I get a nice refund :)
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 7:23 am
We don’t usually file until the last minute. My son was born on April 15, 2005, right after we mailed our taxes in. We rely on my father-in-law to fill them out for us. I am hopeless when it comes to doing my own taxes. I wonder if Turbo Tax could help even me!
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 7:30 am
I love Turbo Tax but have not done my taxes yet this year. What a slacker!
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I’ve always done my taxes by hand. I think this is the year where I finally cave in and try to do them with some software.
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 11:45 am
We have NOT done our taxes yet, but we do usually use Turbo Tax. Guess we need to get on that!!!
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I have filed my taxes already. I did it through Turbo Tax online. I used the Deluxe Edition…very easy and painless. I get better at it every year.
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
My family usually buys the newest tax program, like turbo tax, to do our whole families taxes.
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
i haven’t filed yet, i need help! (I usually do it myself but not this year, a little more complicated)
[Reply]
March 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
We do ours at Turbo Tax online.
[Reply]
March 6th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
enter me
[Reply]
March 6th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I have not filed yet. the last couple of years I’ve used Turbo Tax. I’d love to be able to do it for free this year.
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 1:52 am
We went to H&R Block and had them do our taxes last time, and they messed up!! ugh. That really ticked my husband off. It would be great to just do it ourselves. ya know. shadowsangell(at)hotmail.com
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I could really use some good software for taxes. My mom died last spring, and I have to file taxes in three states as well as federal taxes this year. So being able to benefit from some automation would help. If they re-use the data across different states that would be great. But I am wondering if it will help much with my particular situation, with two part year residet state returns, and one non-resident return. This is not the usual situation for most people. But I guess the more complicated things are, the more value you can potentially get from good software.
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I would love to fire H&R Block next year…We’ve already done ours this year to the tune of $236! OUCH!
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 9:09 am
never e -filed so Please count me in!
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
No! I usually use TaxCut. I have to get going…haven’t even bought the software yet, so I sure hope I win!
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Even though my tax returns are relatively simple, I’d like some more help! Turbo Tax sounds GREAT!
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Still have to do taxes for myself and 5 others…
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Ever since I have been an adult (and it hasn’t been that long), I’ve been using TurboTax, and I wouldn’t do it any other way!
And nope, I haven’t done them yet, nor have I purchased any software. Therefore, it would be great to win this!
Ladyspy79@aol.com
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
great deductions
[Reply]
March 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I dread this time of year just trying to get all that stuff together. Good for you for having it done.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 1:11 am
My husband always does ours. I’d love to win this to make it easier for him.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 7:58 am
We have considered trying TurboTax for the last few years but, because of itemizing, investments, and any other ‘fear-factor’ excuses, have stayed with the same preparer. We would love the opportunity to try this and compare the results – and hopefully scold ourselves for not taking advantage of the TurboTax system sooner! :)
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 10:55 am
gawd I hate this time of year… for the next five weeks, I’ll keep saying, this coming Sunday I’ll do it, then it gets put off another week. This scenario plays out every year like a bad movie script.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I haven’t done my taxes yet, still need a form. I file on paper using a pen.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I can’t remember the last time I filed my taxes on time – we do an extension every year. Wouldn’t it be great if this year were different?!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Still waiting on all the tax documents so we can’t file yet.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
We usually use either turbo tax or tax cut. We haven’t done them yet however we hope that it will be a better tax return for us this year! You can’t escape it, it always comes!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
The last 2 years, I’ve used H and R Block online to file. It’s pretty simple, but I’d love to try TurboTax instead. That’s my project over Spring Break – and I want to get it over with as quickly as possible to enjoy my week off!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
What a timely giveaway! We’ve always filed online but have tried different companies to get the best price but have always loved Turbotax! This would help us get back to the one we love! :)
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I still have to do my taxes. I have been thinking of purchasing this software, but winning it would be so much better!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
This contest is a great idea!!!!! Would love to try doing this on my own.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I LOVE TURBOTAX. BEEN USING IT SEVERAL YEARS NOW and save the cost of paying someone else to do it
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
We used to use HR block but now I do it with turbo tax. I still need to do mine. I really should be doing it right now :)
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
We’ve put off our taxes so far this year, we will probably end up owing in. We usually do our taxes ourselves, but this year there are some things we are not so sure about, would love to have Turbo Tax help.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I haven’t done my taxes yet, either. This would come in handy.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I haven’t done our taxes yet this year. I normally use Turbo Tax, and it’s pretty straightforward (although this will be our first year with a child, so who knows!). I always go for the budget version of TurboTax, and I’d love a chance to try the PREMIER version.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
We used to go to H & R also and then someone told me about Turbo Tax and have used it since. I haven’t done ours yet this year. I’m not sure if we are getting anything back or if we have to pay. I’m procrastinating since I’m afraid of paying. Thanks for the giveaway.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
No, we haven’t done our taxes yet. Last year I think we used Tax Cut software. Thanks for the giveaway!
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I love turbo tax and I’ve used it for several years
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I haven’t started our taxes yet and I’m dreading it! This would make it a lot easier.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I’ve used Jackson Hewett for the last few years, but I have a sneaky feeling they use a program very similar to Turbo Tax…..and they charged me $250 to fill in the numbers I provide.
I can do that myself with Turbo Tax and it costs a lot less!!
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 4:47 am
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Have heard alot about TurboTax and how great it is to file using it so I’d like to find out first hand so maybe I’ll win and thanks. skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I would love to win the TurboTax. I have heard how great it is. I would love to understand the taxes better.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Count me in the ‘haven’t done it yet’ group. It’s not entirely my fault though; I was waiting on one last form.
I’ve used Turbo Tax for years and I keep going back because they make it so painless and efficient. I’m a big fan obviously. The only thing that would make it better is if it were free to file. :)
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 9:01 am
This would be so helpful to me. I do my taxes myself and I have made several mistakes in the past so this would be perfect for me! Thanks for the chance!
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I would love to try turbo tax out to do my taxes this year.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am
We haven’t done our taxes yet. This is the first year we plan on doing them ourselves.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I used tax software one year, and found the “start-up” cost of entering lots of data the first time was high. I guess that if I reused it year after year it would be more useful. But at the time I moved to a no income tax state, so it was not a big savings. I generally do taxes myself, and would gladly use tax software if it was not a significant added cost. But for people who pay accoutnts, I can see the benefit. So I would really like to win and try it again. I live in a high tax state now, and getting ideas to optimize would probably be a big help.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I haven’t done my taxes yet either. My brother uses turbo tax and suggests it. I’m considering going to H&R block though. That’s where my father goes and he ended up getting a whopping 1,000 more than he expected. That wont happen to me considering I owe but it was pretty exciting for him.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I love turbotax! My mother-in-law owns the program, so every year she lets us use it. It’s so simple! It would be great to own our a copy ourselves.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I have not filed my taxes yet and I usually do them online.
madamerkf at aol dot com
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I’ve used Turbo Tax for years, but never have efiled. Love that they pull info from past returns off your computer and fills in quite a bit of info. Very helpful for business expenses, etc.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
i never used turbo tax but would love to try it :)
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
i used to do my own taxes but a friend has been helping me the last few years and she has turbotax. the software knows all of the ins and outs so one doesn’t need to read all of the rules. i would feel like i died and went to heaven if i won this and could do my own taxes. thanks in advance if i get lucky and i hope all of your days are blessed.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I use TurboTax Premier and have not purchased the software yet. I am hoping that I will not have to purchase the software this year. That would be a bonus.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I haven’t bought my Turbo Tax yet, but I had better do it soon–due in a little over a month.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
TurboTax is a lifesaver. My husband has used it for filing our taxes for many years. Haven’t gotten it for this year yet. Thanks for the contest!
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I use TurboTax software every year and it makes filing easy. I usen’t used their online version yet though.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I haven’t done out taxes yet, but I usually use online Turbo Tax
Thanks for the chance
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Even though my husband is an accountant, we need this Turbo Tax!!!
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I love using turbo tax. This would be a life saver, I must get my taxes done soon. They make it easy even though I have to file for my personal buisness along with my regular taxes.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I would love to win this giveaway especially since Turbo Tax helps my family out with our taxes so much. Winning a free copy would really come in handy. This is a great giveaway. Thanks.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I haven’t filed my taxes yet. I usually file them online.
[Reply]