TaxAct US tax preparation cost

[lopburi3]

Be aware that if using a foreign address you must now file with their Deluxe+ version at a cost of $29.95:  which is more than double cost last year.  Other than cost increase seems to handle everything OK.  Now to see if government ever awakes from current deep sleep.

[Pib]

Tax software like TaxAct has went up in price very significantly over the last few years, especially TaxAct who was lowballing their price for several years to grab market share from TurboTax and others. 

 

And the $29.95 you mention is for the "online" version; if you wanted the "desktop" Deluxe version it would be $84.90 unless doing a pre-order earlier in the  year when it only cost $62 (which is what I did). I only use the desktop version as I don't want to be reliant on an internet connection in order to play around with my return....play what-ifs tax returns....etc.....willing to pay more for that flexibility.

Edited January 26, 2019 by Pib

[lopburi3]

25 minutes ago, Pib said:

Tax software like TaxAct has went up in price very significantly over the last few years, especially TaxAct who was lowballing their price for several years to grab market share from TurboTax and others. 

 

And the $29.95 you mention is for the "online" version; if you wanted the "desktop" Deluxe version it would be $84.90 unless doing a pre-order earlier in the  year when it only cost $62 (which is what I did). I only use the desktop version as I don't want to be reliant on an internet connection in order to play around with my return....play what-ifs tax returns....etc.....willing to pay more for that flexibility.

Actually was cautious when made the switch but seems to work very well on-line as is saved at each step and you can easily go back to anywhere and change or start over anytime - until you actually send the return it is ready for edit and if you forgot something you can sign out and back on later to pick up where you were.  You can also print out if you want to mail it.  Previous years returns are available for download (actually tested that out and got all the forms as well as return when I asked for them and get a print file which can save to computer).  Have been happy with them over the years (many) but price increase was from 13 to 29 this year.  They also state will need DL or State ID during file process but actually you do not need - just may delay processing without. 

[Pib]

Well, don't worry, next year we will not need any tax software as we'll be able to file our tax return on a simple postcard....that was the promise during last year's GOP tax cut.   

 

That post card filing is going to occur, right?  Or did the politicians lie to us again?    ????

[lopburi3]

Actually this years is postcard size (both sides).  Half page financials (23 items) and half page Name/address/signature.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

Edited January 26, 2019 by lopburi3

[Pib]

That's the biggest postcard I've ever seen.  ????

 

But it will work for those folks with very simple returns.  Below article gives a good overview of who the postcard return might work for and those it won't.

https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/the-postcard-tax-return-a-simple-solution

[lopburi3]

14 minutes ago, Pib said:

That's the biggest postcard I've ever seen.  ????

Closer to a 5x7 photo now but next year?  Will not hold my breath. 

 

Find that A5 is now a common size for personal photo postcards so they indeed do fit that criteria.  

Edited January 26, 2019 by lopburi3

[JimGant]

Quote

And the $29.95 you mention is for the "online" version; if you wanted the "desktop" Deluxe version it would be $84.90 unless doing a pre-order earlier in the  year when it only cost $62

Interesting. TaxAct used to be the bargain software available. TurboTax's Deluxe desktop version -- download from Amazon -- was $39.99 in early January. Have stuck with them over the years, as all the previous year's boilerplate data easily migrates to the latest year forms.

 

All that postcard rhetoric is a hoot, as you still fill out all the information on attachable schedules. For electronic filing, you don't even notice the difference. I guess if you were to package up all the new, additional schedules after printing them out -- in order to mail them in -- you'd see the difference. Not exactly a great leap in productivity.