BDx13 - 3-15-2007 at 01:29 AM
If so, do you use software or do you do it by hand?
If not, what do you pay?
BDx13 - 3-15-2007 at 01:41 AM
I've been going to an accountant for as long as I've been doing freelance, about nine years. For the first five, I used these awesome Lebanese guys
in Bay Ridge who came recommended by a close friend. I couldn't understand half what they were telling me, but my wife and I ALWAYS got money back,
and it never cost more than $100 total.
As my freelance business expanded, I figured I better go to someone who can explain what they're doing and who can give me advice on how to plan and
manage expenses and shit like that. Well, all the native English speaking, fancy corporate letterhead, and 'Avenue of the Americas' address came at a
cost of nearly $700 for the two of us. The return covered their expense, but I didn't get much good advice.
Last year, out in PA, I went to a friend of the family who is a CPA and it cost $500. Good guy. He spent about 90 minutes going over everything with
me and giving lots of good input on issues I was interested in. He found a few ways to maximize deductions that I didn't even know about. I'll be
seeing him again tomorrow.
It's a lot of money, but the way I see it is, it's the accountant's job to know the ins and outs of tax law and to work as creatively as possible
within those laws to get me as much back as possible. I'm not trying to brush up on tax code every year...I got websites to build! And as long as my
return covers the cost, I'm cool with it.
clevohardcore - 3-15-2007 at 02:27 AM
not anymore. I farm it out.
Dave - 3-15-2007 at 08:52 AM
me and the woman both use http://quicktaxweb.intuit.ca
then file online as well.
Voodoobillyman - 3-15-2007 at 09:22 AM
I file online with Taxslayer. It's free due to my active duty military status. I don't have half of the complications you do with your own business
and all.
XHonusWagnerX - 3-15-2007 at 09:32 AM
I used to do them myself, but then I had a partnership buisness and my dad was taking care of them (paying someone to do them) and I think it was $75.
This year I was back to doing them myself. I needed a little help, but just from my dad because I have a RI Resident form and a MA non-resident form
and I get confused with those, but the Federal one was easy!
JawnDiablo - 3-15-2007 at 09:51 AM
i just do it online
i have no stuff to claim
my ex claims my son
i have no interest on money in the bank and shit
i usually get my return inside of 2 weeks.
newbreedbrian - 3-15-2007 at 10:13 AM
myself by hand. when you break it down bit by bit, it's not that overwhelming. there's explanations for how most things work, just gotta be willing to
dig around. so it costs me a postage stamp every year.
BDx13 - 3-15-2007 at 10:23 AM
damn, you all are much braver than me.
i know a number of people who have been audited, and that scares the crap outt me.
i guess one of the biggest things for me is getting input on what i can and can not deduct. i deduct like a motherfucker, and i like to know that
what i'm claiming is all kosher.
Jason the Magnificent - 3-15-2007 at 10:43 AM
I use turbotax, In the end it costs me around $80 and that INCLUDES the audit protection. If by some chance you get audited you never have to talk to
anyone about it, their lawyers take care of everything. I filed 2-2 and had my returns in my bank on 2-16. Been doing it that way for 3 years.
BDx13 - 3-15-2007 at 10:53 AM
j, are you using their 'Home & Business' plan?
is it all done online, or is it a downloadable program?
Jason the Magnificent - 3-15-2007 at 11:32 AM
Whatever the cheapest plan is, is the one I used.
Its all web based now, you don't download anything and pay at the end...and if you use them yearly....they save all your info. This was my second year
using their web based one....having all my previous W-2 data (sans the financial numbers) as well as all the financial institution, addresses and
stuff already there just waiting for number editing made it even faster.
I think if you use the gold plan etc it is more busniess related and multiplies the possible deduction options compared to the simple individual plan
which still has more deductions than I ever got from any accountant I went to.
Discipline - 3-15-2007 at 11:37 AM
I do them myself, by hand.
moron - 3-15-2007 at 11:46 AM
Ive always done them by myself by hand, but my taxes arent complicated. This was the first year I ever used TurboTax. It was easy.
BDx13 - 3-15-2007 at 12:05 PM
you guys are inspiring me. you say with turbotax you don't pay until the end? i might check it out next year; start the process, see how it goes,
and if i f' it up, then i just won't finish the process. shaving a few bills off the tax prep cost would be welcome.
Jason the Magnificent - 3-15-2007 at 12:39 PM
yes you dont pay until you file.
I love the little refund counter on screen too, its like tax slots. Get a deduction and you see the numbers start rolling up. I think they should have
buzzers and bells to go along with my cheers.
BDx13 - 3-15-2007 at 12:41 PM
HAHAHAHAAAAA!!! TAX SLOTS! Fuck yeah!