I had a very positive experience using free TurboTax software last year. I used the free edition, and it took me from scared about all I had heard about taxes to excited and in control of my finances. It made me much more aware of the tax code and how to minimize my tax bill in the future.
I had a very basic tax return, so there wasn’t any need to contact a tax professional. I had just my W-2 from work and a few 1099s from the little earnings I made in my savings accounts and bank bonuses.
All I had to do was plug in my information, answer some basic questions and I was done!
The problem with the free TurboTax product is that it doesn’t include state e-filing. That means that I had a choice: either pay $15 for something I COULD do by hand if I wanted, but who likes to spend money to save time that would have been spent watching tv?
So I went to the library on the way home from work, picked up the state tax form and got to work. I just followed the basic instructions, took the important information straight from the federal tax return and plugged it in. The math was very simple and with my simple return, I had no problems.
Granted, I had a very simple tax situation, but I encourage everyone who is recently out of college, doesn’t own a home, who doesn’t own a business, or who didn’t make a ton of money in strange ways to try and file their taxes for free.
Give it a shot, and maybe you’ll be surprised by how little help you actually need.
This year, I’m going with TurboTax again, but the Deluxe version. Why go the automated route vs. doing it by hand? Well, because I got it for free of course! The TurboTax people gave me two cards to give away to you guys, and another for me to use. Blogging has it perks, right?
For those of you who want free e-file, who don’t want to do it by hand, here are the giveaway details:
What: 2 Copies of TurboTax Deluxe Online (Federal & State Included)
How to Enter: There are two giveaways, you may enter both if you’d like.
1. Giveaway Via Newsletter: Sign up for article updates via email through Feedburner or MailChimp.
2. Giveaway via This Site: You’ll get an entry for each action performed. Leave a comment below after each action you complete:
- Like us on Facebook: Head on over to the Sweating The Big Stuff Facebook page and like us!
- Follow me on Twitter and then retweet the following:
Win A Free Copy of TurboTax Deluxe Online https://bit.ly/ieDhJ2 via @danielpacker #giveaway
The contest will run through Wednesday, March 23rd at 11:59PM EST and both winners will be announced here on Friday, March 25th.
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Thanks for offering this giveaway! Tax season is over, but I know many people who must file extensions for various reasons so hopefully they will get a chance to win this in the meantime.