topic Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This? in Community Chat

Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Apple Head — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 18:16:57 GMT

I have always mailed in my taxes on paper. I just don't want to pay for a tax service on line or worry about software hackers. Plus, I like to see all the information in front of me (not on a screen) and refer to the instructions.

I know a lot of people do it electronically, but wondered if anyone else still files the "old fashioned" way?

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Kalli — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 18:59:02 GMT

We pay an accountant to do our taxes. He files online.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Shorty2U — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:00:55 GMT

Yes! I file the old way via paper too. I might add, I get the forms at the library and this year there are no books to go with the forms. I have to use the websites to look through the directions. So, I guess the time is coming when I soon wont be able to do it on paper anymore.

The reason I use the old way is to keep my Math skills going by challenging my brain, and because I don't trust these sites with our SS numbers!

PS) I still have to do our taxes for this year. I will work on them next week.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

millieshops — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:44:47 GMT

I've been filing my taxes electronically for years, but sending paper checks for estimated taxes and any other payments. That was true until January when my check did not arrive on time even though there was well more than enough time for it to do so.

Both my CPA and the IRS rep told me that because of mail fraud, it's not actually safer to file via the IRS protected website and even pay via that site than it is to mail, so now I'm doing everything electronically.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Suziepeach — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:46:40 GMT

On 3/14/2015 Kalli said:
We pay an accountant to do our taxes. He files online.

Us too. Both our Federal and State were deposited within two weeks.. both on the very same day.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Apple Head — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:54:28 GMT

My local senior center will do it online for free using tax professionals who volunteer their time. They do it for seniors and anyone in a financial crunch (I just lost a job of 20 years). Maybe I'll just let them do it this way this time. I am getting a refund.

Shorty2U... I know, they don't provide the books anymore. I like to do mine via paper anyway and then I'll take it to the center and still have all the figures already configured.

I know technology is moving on, but it's getting ridiculous. You have to buy a phone and minutes every year even if you don't need them. You need a computer but have to have anti-virus. I just bought a new printer (great timing that mine died) and I have to get a USB cable and toner... for $90.00 extra. It's really terrible that things are costing so much money just to live. Yet, the jobs out there are paying so low.

It's very obvious how people get into debt.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

RedTop — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:56:48 GMT

No. Filing electronically is so much easier; the process is very streamlined to make it much easier to file online, you can see your estimated refund after the first few steps, and the program keeps up with what is needed so that you don't forget anything. Shortly after submitting your return, you receive an acceptance email, and then you only have to wait for final processing if you are receiving a refund. The plan is to phase out paper filing altogether, and in my area you rarely find the books and forms anymore, since these can be printed from the website.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Mominohio — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 19:57:58 GMT

On 3/14/2015 Kalli said:
We pay an accountant to do our taxes. He files online.

This is what we do. I can no longer see, with the constant changing laws, trying to get this right with either my own brain figuring it out, or using a program that might or might not fail me.

It costs us dear to pay for this service, but it is worth the peace of mind that comes with it, and I feel that the government is putting all this info into a computer so it is out there anyway, and someone can get it whether I'm doing it or the government is.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

ivanatrump — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:00:48 GMT

On 3/14/2015 RedTop said: No. Filing electronically is so much easier; the process is very streamlined to make it much easier to file online, you can see your estimated refund after the first few steps, and the program keeps up with what is needed so that you don't forget anything. Shortly after submitting your return, you receive an acceptance email, and then you only have to wait for final processing if you are receiving a refund. The plan is to phase out paper filing altogether, and in my area you rarely find the books and forms anymore, since these can be printed from the website.

Don't tell this to some of the posters on the Wells Fargo bank thread.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

rolen — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:10:49 GMT

On 3/14/2015 Shorty2U said:
Yes! I file the old way via paper too. I might add, I get the forms at the library and this year there are no books to go with the forms. I have to use the websites to look through the directions. So, I guess the time is coming when I soon wont be able to do it on paper anymore.

Yep, we still do ours on paper also. We are retired and do not need to file a long form any more. It only takes a couple of hours at most to fill it out. I am not about to pay someone else to fill out the forms for us. I personally feel much more secure doing it ourselves. I am sure it is done in the proper way and no one else had access to our info.

Yes, it is getting harder to get the instruction books to go with the forms these days. But we go to the IRS web site and you can order any of the instruction books and forms you need. It takes about 10 days to receive it. We would rather have the printed booklet to look at rather than finding the info on line.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

gidgetgh — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:14:30 GMT

Our accountant files for us online. My dad still files paper forms by mail though.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

sunshine45 — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:21:31 GMT

we have a cpa and he files everything online.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

shaniquatana — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:25:28 GMT

We have always used H&R Block, and they file on line. We don' trust ourselves to do taxes.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Blahblahvampemer — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:38:23 GMT

My dad files electronically through the tax preparer, but we get a complete copy on paper. I no longer have to do taxes so it's not an issue for me.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

Pook — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:39:58 GMT

Filing online makes sure you don't miss anything. I've used a few of the different services and found everything comes up that you might need. It's great!!

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

ivanatrump — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:42:46 GMT

On 3/14/2015 Pook said:
Filing online makes sure you don't miss anything. I've used a few of the different services and found everything comes up that you might need. It's great!!

Not to mention you won't make any miscalculations. I heard on a news segment there are a lot of simple math errors made on paper filings.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

AnikaBrodie — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:48:43 GMT

A CPA does our taxes and files on line. We've had an accountant do our federal and state taxes for many, many years. Tax laws change constantly and it gets worse with each passing year.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

kittymomNC — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:16:18 GMT

On 3/14/2015 ivanatrump said:
On 3/14/2015 RedTop said: No. Filing electronically is so much easier; the process is very streamlined to make it much easier to file online, you can see your estimated refund after the first few steps, and the program keeps up with what is needed so that you don't forget anything. Shortly after submitting your return, you receive an acceptance email, and then you only have to wait for final processing if you are receiving a refund. The plan is to phase out paper filing altogether, and in my area you rarely find the books and forms anymore, since these can be printed from the website.

Don't tell this to some of the posters on the Wells Fargo bank thread.

ivana, thanks for giving me a chuckle this afternoon, and I really mean that. I'm probably one of the posters you're referring to.. I admit I've been ranting a little (maybe a lot) on that thread, but in reality, I do both my son's taxes and mine online and file electronically, even though I could really do it faster with paper and pen! I've already seen the writing on the wall and I'm keeping up, but I'm not doing it because I like it!

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

ROMARY — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:23:41 GMT

I know folks who get 'return receipt requested' (or whatever it's called) at the post office, when mailing their forms/payments/whatever. That way, they receive confirmation that the gov. received their forms/payments/whatever. Makes sense.

Re: Income Taxes - Does Anyone Else Do This?

ROMARY — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:26:01 GMT

Hey, Hi, KittyMomNC: Just read your post! Funny we should meet here, of all places! (Not intentional, BTW. Just coincidence. Trying to 'get away' to a better place.........lol)