patrick.net

Patrick says

TurboTax http://www.turbotax.com/

Free Edition
Simple tax returns
$0 Fed
$0 State

Deluxe
Maximize tax deductions and credits
$59.99
State additional $39.99

Not sure where you're pulling that info.

I bought the Deluxe program on Disc, not download which includes State efile for $39.

Ah, discovered that you cannot use TaxAct without also exposing all your financial info to Google because of all the Google javascript included on TaxAct's pages.

This is probably true for all of them.

It should be illegal for tax return sites to expose your data to Google.

Patrick says

Ah, discovered that you cannot use TaxAct without also exposing all your financial info to Google because of all the Google javascript included on TaxAct's pages.

I was going to reference that too. Entering all your personal information into some unknown web site, and not knowing where it goes doesn't sound like such a good idea either.

Patrick says

It should be illegal for tax return sites to expose your data to Google.

No different then all the apps on your phone sending all your phone data to Facebook. Nobody reads the fine print or Permissions given.

MrMagic says

No different then all the apps on your phone sending all your phone data to Facebook.

Don't you need the Facebook app for that to happen?

MrMagic says

I was going to reference that too. Entering all your personal information into some unknown web site, and not knowing where it goes doesn't sound like such a good idea either.

I still use paper forms. Specifically the PDF fill in forms

I use tax act they will nickel and dime you like everyone else but I always file paper at the end due to many trade transactions.

@mell So what do you use TaxAct for then? You can't get the numbers to fill in on the paper via TaxAct, right?

Patrick says

@mell So what do you use TaxAct for then? You can't get the numbers to fill in on the paper via TaxAct, right?

I use the forms for the totals gains loss and print out all the trades and attach to paper return. Expensive and heavy but it's worth it since the paper print is unaltered/untransformed and therefore correct. Don't need more correspondence with the IRS than necessary.

Even the import programs for all online services are usually shit and will make mistakes for 1000+ trades a year

Booger says

Don't you need the Facebook app for that to happen?

Nope.. Now you know why all these apps are FREE, because YOU'RE the product.

...."It's not just dating and health apps that might be violating your privacy when they send data to Facebook. A Privacy International study has determined that "at least" 20 out of 34 popular Android apps are transmitting sensitive information to Facebook without asking permission, "
https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/30/more-popular-apps-are-sending-data-to-facebook-without-asking/

...."A New York regulator has written to Facebook and the developers behind at least 11 popular iPhone apps found to be sending sensitive data to Facebook, to demand an explanation."
https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/01/apps-sending-sensitive-data/

Yes, Stalin killed a lot of the black propagandists. I suspect he was very aware of how much trouble they could cause. It appears to be a coincidence, but does it seem that most of the public or visible Bolsheviks especially the black propagandists were of Jewish ethnicity ? From what I've read, Stalin killed as many Jewish people as Hitler, except Stalin identified them as Bolshevik revolutionaries and insurrectors as the reason for their death sentences.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigory_Zinoviev#Show_trials_(1935%E2%80%9336)

MrMagic says

..."It's not just dating and health apps that might be violating your privacy when they send data to Facebook. A Privacy International study has determined that "at least" 20 out of 34 popular Android apps are transmitting sensitive information to Facebook without asking permission, "

Then don't use apps. Everything can be done from a browser. If it requires their app to do something, then I just don't do it.

MrMagic says

Patrick says

TurboTax http://www.turbotax.com/

Free Edition
Simple tax returns
$0 Fed
$0 State

Deluxe
Maximize tax deductions and credits
$59.99
State additional $39.99

Not sure where you're pulling that info.

I bought the Deluxe program on Disc, not download which includes State efile for $39.

Same here. I use the TurboTax Deluxe which includes one State and it was $39 at Sam's Club.

2019 tax returns: How to file your taxes for free

Even though the new Form 1040 that all tax filers will file this year is a one-page document with just 23 lines, preparing taxes can be daunting for some. The new Form 1040 replaces the old 1040 as well as the Form 1040A and Form 1040EZ.

For most tax filers with simple situations, such as income from one job, no children, one Form W-2 and no other deductions or credits to claim, the new Form 1040 is what they'll need to file their taxes. In many cases, taxpayers can file their returns for free.

Here are a few of the free options available:

IRS FreeFile

Qualified taxpayers can use FreeFile to file their federal taxes via TurboTax, H&R Block and 10 other private software providers. It's generally open to anyone earning less than $66,000, although software providers have their own eligibility criteria.

The IRS estimates about 70 percent of Americans are eligible for FreeFile. There are options for free state preparation as well.

Taxpayers who earned more than $66,000 can use Free Fillable forms, the electronic version of paper IRS forms. Unlike the software services, it offers only basic guidance, but will do the math for you. There are no free state filing options.

FreeFile and the Free Fillable Forms can be found online at irs.gov/freefile.

VITA and TCE

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs both offer free tax filing assistance through volunteer-run programs in communities nationwide.

VITA offers free tax help to moderate and low-income individuals, and to people with disabilities or taxpayers with limited English skills. TCE focuses on helping taxpayers aged 60 and up. Both programs use IRS-certified volunteers to provide the help.

To find a site near you, check the IRS website. The AARP Foundation runs many of the TCE sites and has more information on its website.

Software providers

Tax software companies often have their own free filing options in addition to FreeFile.

TurboTax, for example, offers TurboTax Free, which allows taxpayers with simple tax returns to file their federal and state tax returns completely free. H&R Block also offers a free option for simple tax filings. H&R Block works with United Way to offer MyFree Taxes, for taxpayers earning $66,000 or less. Credit Karma Tax also has a free tax filing option.

Military OneSource

Military OneSource, a Department of Defense funded service for members of the military, offers free online filing services through MilTax. It includes tax prep software and support from tax consultants to help with special conditions facing those in the military, including deployment, combat pay and multistate filings.

The service can be found through the Military OneSource website.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2019-tax-returns-how-to-file-your-taxes-for-free/

Don't forget about FreeTaxUSA aka TaxHawk....

Huh, TaxAct kinda tried to fuck me over by suggesting I click on "Premier" to see how things would turn out with their higher-end product.

Once clicked, you can't get out of it, and the cost of using TaxAct jumps from $14.95 Federal to $47.95 , and state jumps from $19.95 to $39.95, for the exact same filing.

There is no way to downgrade once you've clicked that. Maybe you can start over, or maybe they detect your ssn and refuse to let you have the cheaper product.

So TaxAct are scammers.

So I entered most of the data into HR Block, which worked great until I had to enter $150 in royalty income. Then it said I had to upgrade to their $49.99 Federal version. So they're out too, scammers again.

Now I'm going to try TurboTax free version, and https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free (which points you to https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/createaccount)

It was also enlightening to see the differences between the numbers coming up on TaxAct and HR Block. At first they were pretty different, but I found a mistake and then they came out much more similar, so that gives me confidence I've been entering things correctly, and without paying their extortionistic games.

Sure, it's a lot of typing, but I type pretty quickly, and once you have all the input forms in front of you, it's not hard.

Well, crap, TruboTax "free" version is also not available to me because of that $150 in royalties.

And https://www.freefilefillableforms.com is also not acceptable because they demand a phone number, and also expose all of your tax information to Google via included javascript files on their site.

Patrick says

Well, crap, TruboTax "free" version is also not available to me because of that $150 in royalties.

And https://www.freefilefillableforms.com is also not acceptable because they demand a phone number, and also expose all of your tax information to Google via included javascript files on their site.

Use one of the free online forms, but put in fake personal data. Once you have the calculations and the completed form from the free site, use that info to fill out a paper form (fillable PDF).

Good idea, but I don't think you can get all of your completed forms until you've paid them. TaxAct does give a partial view though, so I took screen shots of those.

Tarantula says

Booger says

If it requires their app to do something, then I just don't do it.

Hypothetically, what if memes require an app. What then?

How is that even possible???
You mean to view memes? Or just to create them?

Booger says

Then don't use apps. Everything can be done from a browser. If it requires their app to do something, then I just don't do it.

Agreed! There is not even any need at all to create an app these days. Just about everything can be done from a browser with Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_web_applications

You can have an icon on the home screen where clicking it brings up the browser without all the "chrome" so it looks like an app. It has the ability to do push notifications, geolocating, storage for offline use, and pretty much everything else an app can do.

The only reason to create an app these days is to steal user data and/or to make yourself dependent on Facebook, Apple, and Google (which is a terrible idea).

Not only that, but PWA development is literally something like ten times faster than native app development. It's just a web page.

ForcedTQ says

Don't forget about FreeTaxUSA aka TaxHawk....

Trying TaxHawk now and my first impression is that it's very good:

1. does not demand a phone number
2. works with Google blocked by Little Snitch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Snitch
3. pretty damn fast page load times, unlike TaxAct
4. says it's only $15, but we shall see

TaxHawk wins! https://www.taxhawk.com/ They absolutely rock. Was fast and relatively painless. Numbers were about the same as other services, but oh well, I guess I do owe that amount.

And it really did charge me only $15 and did not expose all of my info to Google (I know because I had Little Snitch on the whole time). Didn't try to fuck me over in any way, unlike those assholes at TaxAct and HR Block.

To e-file with TaxHawk I had to give up my phone number and driver's licence info. I can live with that.

Patrick says

TaxHawk wins! https://www.taxhawk.com/ They absolutely rock. Was fast and relatively painless. Numbers were about the same as other services, but oh well, I guess I do owe that amount.

And it really did charge me only $15 and did not expose all of my info to Google (I know because I had Little Snitch on the whole time). Didn't try to fuck me over in any way, unlike those assholes at TaxAct and HR Block.

To e-file with TaxHawk I had to give up my phone number and driver's licence info. I can live with that.

Nice may prob try it next year. Taxact used to be like That but now they just bait you. Still once you're familiar with one tool you don't easily switch.

Patrick says

And it really did charge me only $15 and did not expose all of my info to Google (I know because I had Little Snitch on the whole time). Didn't try to fuck me over in any way, unlike those assholes at TaxAct and HR Block.

It doesn't make sense... spend all that TIME screwing around with four different tax programs, when for $20 more, you could have BOUGHT TurboTax Deluxe and did your Fed and State returns without ANY games.

Patrick says

"free" version

As you saw, Socialism (getting something for "free") doesn't work.

Makes sense from my point of view, because (a) I really hate getting conned, and (b) I really enjoy a good deal. Also, I hope my experience will be a benefit to others reading this.

Didn't expect it to be entirely free. $15 is close enough, and much better than $90 or so.

Patrick says

Didn't expect it to be entirely free. $15 is close enough, and much better than $90 or so.

Like I mentioned above, it was $39 and that was to efile both Fed and state. Better yet, I OWN the program on disc, can installed on another computer if I want to, and didn't enter all my personal information on some unknown website, where I have no idea where it goes, including Google, technicians, who knows who else will see it or steal my S.S. number and my personal information.

Just that last part alone, is worth spending the extra $20.

That's not worth it to you?

More privacy does sound good, but if you efile, you probably do it through TurboTax's servers anyway. Though maybe you can directly efile to the government, I don't know.