It's Only Money
using his own tax information. Here are the results:
Cost:
$50.15*
Advantages:
Offers help from other users in "Live Community" column.
Disadvantages:
The as-you-go refund tally misleading. A problem identified during fact checking confusing to resolve. Up-sale attempts: Several times, including "audit defense," tips from a tax pro and a deduction tracker.
Nice touches:
"Flag" feature allows users to mark screen, make a notation and return to it later with ease.
Time:
3 hours, 10 minutes
Federal refund:
$1,241
Oregon tax owed:
$173 Best for: Taxpayers with simple to slightly complicated tax situations.
Free File Alliance's Free File Fillable Forms
Cost:
Free
Advantages:
Looks just like an IRS tax form. "Do the math" button performs most calculations for you.
Disadvantages:
General knowledge of IRS forms helps. Will need to refer to instructions more often. Some forms unavailable last week. Doesn't do state returns.
Up-sale attempts:
None
Nice touches:
"Do the math" button. Automatically imported some data from one form to another.
Time
: Stopped after 45 minutes because it couldn't access all forms.
Federal refund:
Unclear
Oregon tax owed
: N/A
Best for:
Anyone familiar with federal tax forms whose taxes aren't overly complicated by self-employment or business income.
Cost
: Free*
Advantages:
Free to taxpayers 51 and younger with adjusted gross incomes of $58,000 or less. Slightly easier to review forms and make changes during fact checking.
Disadvantages:
Prompts led me to incorrectly deduct auto registration fees. No obvious on-screen note-taking capabilities. Instructions on state form are lacking or confusing.
Up-sale attempts:
Some, but not obtrusive.
Nice touches:
Cleanest format and perhaps the most fluid experience. Plus, it was free.
Time:
1 hour, 59 minutes.
Federal refund:
$1,256
Oregon tax owed:
$173
Best for:
Taxpayers with simple to slightly complex situations. My overall favorite, by a nod.
Cost:
$17.95*
Advantages
: Import 2009 return info if you've saved it in PDF file. Screen to enter information from W-2 actually mirrors the form.
Disadvantages:
Too many questions about home purchase. Poor prompt on unreimbursed business expenses nearly cost me a $1,000 deduction.
Up-sale attempts: Early and often. I inadvertently upgraded from free to $18 deluxe edition.
Nice touches:
Links to pop-up windows where you can add up individual expenses and make notes. Bookmark a screen to return to it later.
Time:
2 hours, 6 minutes
Federal refund:
$1,264
Oregon tax owed:
$164
Best for:
Self-employed or small-business owners who can do their own taxes.
* - Prices include cost of filing state return.
If you're ready to file for free, use the
to find out if you qualify and through which provider.
If you'd still rather work with a person than a computer program, there's plenty of free tax help near you.
and AARP Tax-Aide provide free tax prep help for most taxpayers at dozens of sites around Oregon. Call
or
for an appointment or schedule. AARP also has an
.