| Author |
Message |
    
mantram
Citizen
Username: Mantram
Post Number: 230
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 4:25 pm: | 
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I'm debating whether to pay an accountant $450 or use Turbo Tax to file our returns. I think our taxes should be pretty straightforward, the only complication being that my husband and I both work in NY and live here in NJ. I'm wondering if anyone in a similar situation has used Turbo Tax. If so, do you recommend it? Is it better to get the download or use the online? What do I need? Help! |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3457
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
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I haven't used it personally, but my husband has used it for our tax returns for the last several years, and he works in NY. Never heard him complain, and he uses it every year, so I have to guess it's not a big deal.
As far as how to get it, I think he downloads. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 4034
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
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we need help with this too!
I was told to have turbo tax do the NY return fist - haven't figured how to do that yet though. |
Natb
Citizen
Username: Natb
Post Number: 115
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 4:36 pm: |
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We used the turbotax online to do our taxes this year and I worked in NY last year. It is pretty straightforward and at one point it asks you what state returns you need to file, if I remember correctly. |
Spare_o
Supporter
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 392
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 4:40 pm: |
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We use TurboTax and are in a similar work situation. Our taxes are pretty straight forward so we have used it for probably 5 years. We get the software retail on CD and load it on our PC but I think we download the additional state. Until this year I had been taking my tax returns to my accountant to do a double-check but he got so busy he discontinued that service. In past years, he never found a problem. YMMV. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3321
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 7:26 pm: |
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My husband works in NY, I work in NJ. I've used Turbo Tax for our returns for something like 20 years. It gets better each year. If your return is straightforward otherwise, or even if it has a few other quirks, then I would definitely go for it. |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 675
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 7:56 pm: |
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JUst make absolutely sure that once you complete the federal form, that you complete the NY form next. If you complete the NJ form before the NY form, your taxes will not come out right at all. THey will come out in your favor but they are not accurate and may leave you open to an audit. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3323
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 8:07 pm: |
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ditto what CageyD said.
I think TurboTax tells you to do your nonresident state first, but if not, you heard it here. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2733
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:35 pm: |
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I've been using the online version for years, FED & NY, then I do the NJ return, which I can now do online too. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7143
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:41 pm: |
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I used TT w/ a NY income a few years ago & got screwed because it didn't handle the reciprocity correctly. It's been corrected since, but I've gotten used to just doing the NY return by hand. It's not complicated; just tedious. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3329
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
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I think that they only got the NY/NJ thing automated about two years ago. Before that I recall it being a pain to go back and forth if a change had to be made after I had already done both states, although I still preferred that to doing it by hand (personal preference, and I could see how some would not think it was worth it.) Now it all works great! So, if you still have a NY income, it's definitely worth trying the software again. |
mantram
Citizen
Username: Mantram
Post Number: 231
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 9:44 am: |
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Thanks everyone! I'm going to try it tonight.
So if I understand correctly, I can do all three returns online with Turbo Tax. First Fed., then NY and then NJ, and somehow the NY and NJ versions will "speak" to each other. Is that right?
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3333
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
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I have only used the software on my PC (not on the Internet) and for that the answer to your question is yes. I assume that the version on turbotax.com is similar, but I don't know it for a fact. |
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