Did mine on Friday, took 20 min. Single, childless, renter makes it a breeze.

posted by Commander of Awesome

This yr is the latest I have done my taxes since I've turned 18 (hoping to do them this week). When do you usually do your taxes and do you do them yourself or hire someone?

If you hire someone, why?

I use turbotax and do them mid feb/early march.  I have them done by then, but submit the taxes on the April due date.  It normally takes until the first or second week of feb for me to have all my forms and I use turbotax for the self-employment feature since I ref and have to itemize everything for my 1099. 

We hire an accountant from my wife's hometown in northwest Ohio. Cheap as shit and we trust them more than turbotax and H&R Block. Only downside is they don't get to our stuff until early March, until they finish the farmers. 

I do turbotax....Almost always owe money, so usually do and submit on the last day or two.  Depending on how many states I worked in that year, takes me 3-4 hours normally.

posted by ptown_trojans_1

We hire an accountant from my wife's hometown in northwest Ohio. Cheap as shit and we trust them more than turbotax and H&R Block. Only downside is they don't get to our stuff until early March, until they finish the farmers. 

How much?

posted by like_that

How much?

Depending on the year, but normally between $100-$150. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Depending on the year, but normally between $100-$150. 

Not bad at all.

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Depending on the year, but normally between $100-$150. 

That's cheap.  Depends on how many forms you have, but a quote I got was closer to $500 with mortgage, investments, itemizing, etc...Turbotax normally runs me over $200 (including audit defense).

We used to have them done until about 5 years ago. My wife just does them on turbo tax. She always does them in early February and we usually get a little back.

Btw, I use FreeTaxUSA.

Cost a whole $11.65.

posted by Automatik

Btw, I use FreeTaxUSA.

Cost a whole $11.65.

Does it offer self-employment? 

Yes, it's pretty much the same process if you would use TurboTax. I forget why I even use it now, made the switch a few years back.

posted by Automatik

Yes, it's pretty much the same process if you would use TurboTax. I forget why I even use it now, made the switch a few years back.

Been reading up on it and reading review on Nerdwallet. Think I'll make the switch as well. Turbo Tax is like $80 and TaxAct/TaxSlayer/FreeTaxUSA are like $15.

I do it in April if I do it myself, but I plan on getting it done this year and going forward. By the time you are done with HR Block/ Turbo I feel like you are already at $100. So for $200/ $250 I can get a real firm where I know the partner to do them. I also want someone to re-look at my 2016 taxes because I think I added in income that was taxed that I shouldn't have. 

I hate taxes, am a CPA, and would still prefer to get someone to do them for me.

I think Turbo Tax (and H&R Block) both are free online if you aren't itemizing.

That's what they advertize, anyway....imagine you have to read the fine print

What an absolute rip-off, by the way, that most of us have to pay anything to file taxes.

Sure, you can print out forms and do it by hand for free.....but it's just not worth it unless you have a very simple return.

posted by gut

I think Turbo Tax (and H&R Block) both are free online if you aren't itemizing.

That's what they advertize, anyway....imagine you have to read the fine print

 

I don't think it is free to efile state ever. Plus I think it is only free if you are doing the EZ one. Once you have a mortgage and investments that all goes out the window.

posted by iclfan2

I don't think it is free to efile state ever. Plus I think it is only free if you are doing the EZ one. Once you have a mortgage and investments that all goes out the window.

It’s free if you go to the state’s website. 

posted by wildcats20

It’s free if you go to the state’s website. 

I used to do that in Ohio, couldn't figure it out in SC. 

posted by wildcats20

It’s free if you go to the state’s website. 

PITA in California

Uncle is CPA, he has all of our stuff in in database, buy them dinner afterwards.

Side business with deductions that need more than my expertise.

Turbo Tax............usually a couple of days before 4/15 ........ hope some day the IRS is a thing of the past.

My wife takes care of ours. The concept of income taxes makes me angry so it's best that I don't do it.

posted by Commander of Awesome

If you hire someone, why?

I did mine when I was single.  I now have a rental, a farm property, kids, wife who has side jobs, etc.  First year with a rental, I did my taxes myself, and I felt like I was screwing up.  Took them to a professional, and she increased my return by over $1,000.  Easy decision. 

posted by like_that

I use turbotax and do them mid feb/early march.  I have them done by then, but submit the taxes on the April due date.  It normally takes until the first or second week of feb for me to have all my forms and I use turbotax for the self-employment feature since I ref and have to itemize everything for my 1099. 

Why do you wait so long to submit?