Software extras make do-it-yourself taxes easier

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A shopper purchases TurboTax at a Costco in Mountain View, Calif. | AP file photo

Updated: February 18, 2012 8:06AM

NEW YORK — It’s never been easier to prepare your own tax return.

The software available for the 2012 tax season has been both beefed up and made easier to use. This will make the annual chore quicker, and lessen the chance of missing big deductions and important tax credits.

Close to 40 million taxpayers prepared their own returns online last year. That’s up 14 percent from 2010 and nearly 24 percent from 2009, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Still, more than 33 million returns were submitted on paper forms last year, meaning there’s still a large target market for software providers. Whether you’re an old hand or trying e-filing for the first time, you’ll find an array of software choices.

But before you pay for software, you should determine if you qualify to file your federal return for free. Taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $57,000 or less in 2011 may choose software from 15 different companies through the IRS Free File program. Approximately 3 million people used Free File last year, but the IRS said 70 percent of taxpayers, or about 100 million, are eligible.

Free File software options include the most popular brands, TurboTax and H&R Block. Most of the participating companies also prepare state returns for free, however some charge an additional fee. Details and links to the available software can be found at www.freefile.irs.gov.

It’s also possible to file simple federal returns for free, mainly 1040EZ forms, using the websites of TurboTax, H&R Block Inc., TaxAct, Liberty Tax Service’s e-Smart Tax and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. All charge a fee for state returns.

One boon to using at-home software is that users can start and stop the process. This is particularly helpful for those who want to file early but are still waiting for W-2 and 1099 forms. Taxpayers can enter the details as their paperwork arrives, then file when their return is complete.

All of the major software options allow customers to start preparing their returns for free, and charge a fee when the return is filed. Here’s a snapshot look at the most popular software offerings:

TurboTax

This market-leading program is user-friendly and easy to navigate. That’s a big plus for anyone who may be a little uncomfortable handling financial paperwork. It uses multiple graphics to depict various categories of deductions, such as a small house for mortgage, property taxes and related deductions and a graduation cap for education-related items.

Do-it-yourselfers who used TurboTax in past years should be able to call up their information from prior years when they log in. TurboTax also can upload prior-year return information from your computer if you used another company’s software. TurboTax has added free live advice from tax professionals, through which users can ask questions via online chat or by telephone. It also still has its popular “community” questions and answers link.

H&R Block At Home

Still the nation’s largest tax preparer, H&R Block made some gains on TurboTax last year with its online offerings. Its new software is easier to use than in the past, with simple guidelines and questions to help taxpayers navigate their returns.

Block’s presentation is more businesslike, with fewer graphics and icons. The company this year also is introducing “Block Live,” online prep done by one of its tax professionals using video chat, and a hybrid version called “Best of Both” that allows individuals to complete their returns on their own time, then submit it to Block for a professional review. That extra level of service costs $79.95.

TaxAct

The third most popular software also is simple and easy, and has the added appeal of showing users images of actual tax forms at certain stages in the process. For taxpayers who are used to preparing their returns on paper forms, being able to see a 1040 or a Schedule A may help ease the transition to electronic filing.

TaxAct offers help answering questions via email and free phone help for those who buy the product.