Online Tax Preparation & Filing Services
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Tax Preparation & Filing Services.
I'm self-employed. Will an online tax preparation service be adequate for my tax needs?
If your financial situation is very complex, you may benefit from the assistance of an accountant. But most online tax preparation services do provide additional tools to help the self-employed ensure that they are filing their taxes correctly, as well as providing information about allowable business deductions. H&R Block's Premium package provides tax guidance for the self-employed, and their Home & Business package is designed for consumers who need to prepare corporate, S-corporation, partnership, LLC and payroll returns. TurboTax recommends their Home & Business software for consumers who are self-employed, who earn income from a side job, or who earn income from a non-incorporated home business. For small business owners who are incorporated, or who run a partnership or multiple-member LLC, TurboTax recommends TurboTax Business as opposed to Home & Business. TaxSimple also provides additional tools for self-employed consumers and small business owners, but we do not recommend these services.
Search our blog archives and frequently asked questions for more information about Online Tax Preparation & Filing Services
Recently answered questions about Online Tax Preparation & Filing Services:
How much will it cost me to file with TurboTax?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: So, I will have to pay a federal fee of $49.95 and a state fee of up to $39.95 to file? [...]
Who can I count as a dependent?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: The answer [in the FAQ] confuses me as it seems to say that the dependent cannot be over 24 years of age [...]
Is TaxAct simple to use?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I have never prepared my taxes online before. Is [TaxAct] pretty simple to use? I have a basic return, the only thing [...]
Can you stop, save, and return later with TaxAct?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Can you save information on the tax returns you are submitting [with TaxAct] and go back and finish later if necessary, such [...]
I don't know if my tax return was complete.
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I don't know if my tax return was complete. [E-File Tax Returns] never asked me for payment. I gave it my [...]
Is there a charge for each W-2?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I have several W-2's. Is there a charge for each one or not [with TaxAct]?
A: TaxAct and other online tax preparation services [...]
Can I file multiple state returns online?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: We live in one state that I work in but my husband works in a different state. Can I still file the [...]
Is a free, online tax preparation service a good choice?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Is a free tax service online (TaxAct) just as good as buying a program like TurboTax?
A: TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct all [...]
What is the best tax service for a home business?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: What is the best tax program for a home based business to use? Always used my CPA? Thank you.
A: TurboTax offers a [...]
Can you accept schedule D transactions?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Can Turbo Tax or H&R Block accept electronically the Schedule D transactions for capital gains or losses from Merrill Lynch accounts? If [...]
