Have you used the H&R block online tax prep service? How is it? The premium service is only $49, seems hard to beat. I'm a little nervous to do it myself though. (Geez, this almost seems spamish)
I believe its $49 for their 10-80 EZ File, I know in the last 4-5 years I've been using them I've never gotten out of there for under $230 bucks. (I file single but not EZ)
No I haven’t; I’ve used the same CPA (who specializes in taxation) for the past 23-years. Of course his fees are not going to be compatible to that charged by mass marketer income tax preparation services such as H&R Block or a Jackson Hewitt. But there is one rule of thumb: the more complicated the return, the higher the cost. Have you considered utilizing the least-known category of tax preparer, even though they have been serving individuals in tax matters since 1884 … the Enrolled Agent (EA)?
I rather to do myself, and researching for anything that I don't know about. The reason for that because even though you hire a CPA/ or any tax preparer, and they screw on your tax return; and you are still responsible for it. I had this experience twice for the first 2 years when I was 17 and 18. IRS audited my tax return, and informed me that I am entitle for than my tax preparer filed for me. And the third time, I was told that I am $100.00 less than the original amount. Since then I prepare myself.
I've never used their online service, but I have used their live service and their software and both were absolutely horrible. The money that I paid to H&R block is the only money spent in my entire life that makes me want to cry when I think about it. For the software, it literally does nothing but allow you to fill out your tax return on your computer, rather than writing it out on paper. I can only imagine that their online service is equally useless. I've been using TurboTax the past few years, and I feel like it is doing me very well. I still debate with myself if I should go back to just filing out my return on my own, but I just feel more secure with allowing the software to find my deductions and correct my mistakes.
This is absolutely horrible. EZ file is called that for a reason: it is EASY. If I recall from days gone by, EZ File is only about a page of information and can be filled out in less than 5 minutes without software.
Here's an update: I just got home from H&R Block, my wife and I filed jointly and we walked out of there for $298.00 which included the $35.00 fee for audit protection for the next 3 years against this years return.
Don't feel bad, it always costs me $450 and sometimes over 500, but I have a small business along with my regular teaching job, and my wife works, so our return is fairly complex, but still the big bill hurts, especially when I also have to pay a few $K extra in taxes.