I have Quicken 2003 on my computer and updated it today - never seriously used it. Does that mean it is good for use to do my 2004 taxes, or do I need to buy Quicken 2005? The documentation seems to say it is good to go with the update, but that I "should" buy new software.

Main goal for the software is so I will be ready for 2005 taxes next year, I met with a tax preparer for my 2004 taxes and there are a lot of things I didn't know I could deduct (I have no kids, rent not own, have employer provided pre-tax stuff, etc. so didn't think I had anything to deduct) and I wanted to try and salvage what I could for 2004 using Quicken if I could and also start my recordkeeping for this year.

I found it simpler to do my taxes online (not buying the software and then transmitting them online, but doing a totally online service).

I found it simpler to do my taxes online (not buying the software and then transmitting them online, but doing a totally online service).


I've found the same, and as a college student with a small income I can often file for entirely free when I do it online.

My husband's supervisor swears by Turbo Tax. For ourselves we go to our tax guy. He's a former co-worker of my husband and he only charges us $50. He's too good to let go so we'll be making a trip up to Inland Empire next month so he can do our taxes.

Yuck, how hard are your taxes?

I don't want my life to ever be that complicated - just me and a w-2 and the occasional loan interest. I usually get mine done in under an hour.

Mine are fairly complicated... I have to factor in a regular job, private contracting, and then business expenses and depreciation. The easiest I've ever had it was last year when I finally did it all online.

My husband's supervisor swears by Turbo Tax.I won't swear by it, but i'd strongly recommend that too.

Yuck, how hard are your taxes?

I don't want my life to ever be that complicated - just me and a w-2 and the occasional loan interest. I usually get mine done in under an hour.

We have a few deductions such as our daughter, student loan interest, work costs, medical, and charity donations. Even though I'm only 23 I feel kinda old-fashioned. I rather have a person do my taxes that I can talk to and ask questions than try to do them online.

The two main ones are TurboTax and TaxCut by H&R Block, both work with multiple spreadsheet and investment software. They are basically the same thing, so I would go by price. Rememebr there are different levels, do you need a state return, do you need the extra features, etc.... Don't just by the cheapest, do some comparison first.

I take my taxes to h&r block.cost is 75.00 each time. Man is it getting expensive or what! So do you think I can do my taxes my self? I have never tried this before. I would hate to lose money by messing up.

^ Two questions... any major changes from last year?

If not, are you fairly comfy in front of the computer?

If so, both software packages come with a very good interview mode, where they ask you questions just like a live tax preparer would, and go from there....

If you had any self-employment income, I would think about using a tax preparer, or if you have a complicated Schedule A for Itemized deductions.. also, Capital Gains if you have issues with the purchase price, or if you are dealing with employee stock options sold.

Thanks for all the info, will make a stop for software soon. The main reson for the software is so I can track my spending so next year's taxes will be all nice an organized. THere's a lot of stuff I never tracked before.

I've done my taxes myself for years, paper and on-line, but with student loans, and my teeny inventments through my company, as well as having cashed out an investment plan I need to keep things straight.

I also work in the entertainment industry and I write on the side. Even though I write screenplays but haven't sold anything, apparently research expenses, seminars, etc. are deductible. I just don't want to owe, don't care about the refund...ok maybe a little bit...

Thanks again for all the info...can't wait to meet my new accountant and share my paperwork.

just FYI, by the way, Turbo Tax is loaded with spyware.

Even though I write screenplays but haven't sold anything, apparently research expenses, seminars, etc. are deductible.

Deductible against income, the IRS is pretty clear about this, you need to have one sale before you can claim expenses, and yes, thru amortization, you can take expenses from prior years....

I used Turbo Tax last year and really was impressed. I already have purchased this years software for both my federal and state. I even filed electronically and had the money within a couple of weeks.

I've always used TaxCut and I don't have any problems with the program. It can import your data from MS Money and I think it imports from Quicken as well. And you could always manually input your information from your W-2 forms into the program as well. Then you could print out the fancy little typed up tax forms on your printer and all you have to do is sign on the dotted line. No hand cramps and no taxing headaches! It does all the writing and tax math for you. I haven't used the competitor program Turbo Tax, so I can't speak on it's behalf. I'm sure both Turbo Tax and Tax Cut are similar.

just FYI, by the way, Turbo Tax is loaded with spyware.
Two years ago, TurboTax included "activation technology" that wrote to hidden sectors on your hard disk and did other nasty DRM-style things. Intuit later apologized--though obviously some have not forgiven them--and last year's TurboTax was DRM- and activation-free.

No credible reports of "spyware" within TurboTax have been published.