Intuit Archives - 2011 Tax to 2024 Tax

Get TurboTax Free Tax Filing

Most taxpayers already know about TurboTax Free Tax Filing, but in case you have not, then you need to find a way to learn more about the software as soon as possible. The free version of the software will save you a lot of money in accounting fees while making tax filing easy. It will help you calculate how much you are required to pay as well as the tax refund owed to you by the IRS. There are federal filing options and state filing options that send the return to the IRS for you.

The main disadvantage of hiring a tax accountant to do your taxes is that you will be forced to pay a lot of money for the service and might get some good advise on how to file yours taxes next year. The worst thing about it is that these professionals never give a quote in advance; they complete the work then quote an obscene amount. Charging for every Schedule D transaction makes you never want to trade a stock again in your life.

There are many other reasons why you should choose TurboTax Free Tax Filing. First and foremost, you will never have to worry about finding a professional to do your taxes for you. Secondly, the software enables you to file accurate returns even when your tax situation is somewhat complicated, and you can do that from the comfort of your own home. If you need a more sophisticated version for your business, you can easily upgrade your software, but the free version is absolutely fine for the vast majority of taxpayers. With all these offerings, it is easy to see why Turbo Tax is an industry leader.

Other tax programs also offer free tax filing options, including Tax Slayer, H&R Block and TaxAct. Almost always, there is an income limit to get the free version and you’ll need to pay for any state or city tax returns you need to file.

Tax Carnival Ecstasy – February 15, 2014

Welcome to the February 15, 2014 edition of Tax Carnival Ecstasy. In this edition we start with an article from Bill Smith on taxes and retirement. And Kurt from MyMoneyCounselor.com presents an article on the Alternative Minimum Tax for 2013? Hope you enjoy all the articles, bookmark this carnival, share, tweet, and come back soon.

retirement

Bill Smith presents You Need To Know A Lot About Retirement posted at FastSwings, saying, “2014 Taxes are here causing many people to worry a lot about retirement. If you are among these people, i.e. you feel you are far behind in your retirement or haven’t started saving for it at all, this tax article will give you some advice on readying yourself for this imminent event.”

English: President Barack Obama's signature on... — English: President Barack Obama’s signature on the health insurance reform bill at the White House, March 23, 2010. The President signed the bill with 22 different pens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

taxes

Bill Smith presents TurboTax Makes the Most of Superbowl Time! posted at 2012 Tax – Free Tax Filing Options, saying, “There is nothing better this time of year than watching the Superbowl especially if your team made it.”

Bill Smith presents Healthcare & Intuit TurboTax posted at 2010 Taxes to 2013 Taxes, saying, “To know the ropes of TurboTax Health care and understand the highlighters of Affordable Care Act, turn your glances towards Intuit Inc. to get apprised of the facts.”

Bill Smith presents TurboTax And The Earned Income Tax Credit posted at 2013 Taxes, saying, “Individuals who wish to use a tax service may wish to try TurboTax 2013. This is the option that they may need to easily pay their taxes, and be able to get the tax help they can use.”

Bill Smith presents H&R Block Deluxe and TurboTax Deluxe posted at 2014 Taxes, saying, “H&R Block Deluxe and TurboTax Deluxe are all online tax software that offers tax solutions.”

[email protected] presents Will the Alternative Minimum Tax Zap You for 2013? posted at Money Counselor, saying, “Americans’ elected representatives have created a semi-secret weapon to help assure you pay what they deem is your fair share: the Alternative Minimum Tax.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of tax carnival ecstasy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

TurboTax Fights Filing Reform

TurboTax has come under fire recently after a report from Propublica revealed that Intuit, TurboTax’s parent company had launched a massive lobbying effort against what is known as return-free tax filing.

This method, which is already used in other countries, would have the IRS prepare an estimate of the taxpayer’s liability. The recipient would have the option to accept the estimate, make corrections to it, or reject it and prepare his own return, using a tax preparation company or other option.

This process puts the onus on the IRS to use the information that employers and banks have already provided to them to prepare these files. The taxpayers who would benefit most from this process are those who file simple forms with no itemization. Up to 40% of taxpayers could benefit from this system.

TurboTax 2013 would have suffered a clear loss of revenue by implementation of this plan. Fewer taxpayers would actually need to file, and TurboTax, being the largest online tax preparation firm, would certainly feel the loss of preparation fees.

Other tax firms and some political figures have opposed return-free filing because they feel the plan expands government control and that receiving a “bill” from the government might intimidate taxpayers into paying the amount without question.

Free Turbo Tax 2013 preparation would not have been necessary if the return-free plan had been adopted. Considering that TurboTax 2013 garners much business by selling consumers upgrades to more expensive packages, the company’s opposition is understandable from a financial standpoint. They cannot, however, claim an impartial interest in the matter.

Return-free filing is not a new idea and has been endorsed by two Presidents and a host of consumer advocates. Other countries have already successfully adopted such a plan, but strong lobbying efforts by TurboTax and other tax preparation firms have so far kept it from becoming a reality in the United States.

Intuit’s PAC Lobbies Against IRS Filed Taxes

Should taxpayers determine how much are owed on their taxes or is this a job for the government? TurboTax lobbying has led to millions of dollars being spent against IRS filed taxes. The IRS could make doing taxes easier on Americans by filing the taxes of citizens instead. Intuit is the parent company behind the TurboTax software and has used its public action committee (PAC) to spend millions to oppose every effort to make tax day less painful.

Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax has lobbied extensively against the “return-free” filing, decreasing the stress of Americans who file complex taxes. This represents the continuation of having to file taxes which take up a great deal of time, despite Obama’s efforts in 2007 towards taxes being prepared by the IRS.

TurboTax and other similar companies are partly responsible for Americans not being able to go without filing their taxes for years. It’s possible that this would have previously been made a law, however, tax professionals have expressed their opposition to this. American’s being able to go without filing taxes for such long periods of time would be detrimental to the businesses that profit from this.

TurboTax’s public opposition to IRS government tax preparation is a clear indication the business knows their long term profits would be affected. Intuit’s PAC has spent over $5 million contributing to certain politicians with the biggest donation to one individual being $1 million.

Turbo Tax Television Ads Will Continue

H&R Block has failed its lawsuit and injunction attempts two times against Intuit’s TurboTax. H&R Block was attempting to stop their television ads from airing. The initial lawsuit was filed in January, 2013 on the grounds of an infringement on the company’s trademark. H&R Block stated that Intuit’s TurboTax commercials showing people having their taxes prepared by inexperienced tax preparers was directed at the company.

H&R Block, Miles City (Photo credit: dave_mcmt)

H&R Block is trying to stop Intuit from airing two ads. The first is a scene of a shopper checking out in a women’s clothing store and the sales clerk remembers that she did the customer’s tax return the previous week. The second commercial shows a plumber that is fixing a kitchen sink and he announces to the family that he did their taxes.

First Lawsuit Lost

The U.S. District Court for Missouri ruled against H&R Block’s first lawsuit filed in January, 2013. H&R Block is headquartered in Kansas, Missouri. This in essence meant that Intuit could continue to run its ads and to promote its services such as Turbo Tax 2013 free, and the benefits of using the online software for free tax preparation.

Preliminary Injunction Denied

H&R Block attempted a preliminary injunction to cease the TV ads in March, 2013, but once again, the U.S. District Court rejected the request.

The television ads do not mention H&R Block by name and Intuit has made it clear that the advertisements were to educate the public on tax preparation. Many people have no clue when it comes to taxes and depend on a professional software application such as Turbo Tax 2013 free or a professional tax preparer. H&R block is continuing its lawsuit against Intuit, a spokesperson for the company confirmed.

Why H&R Block is Concerned

Intuit notes in the ads the lack of experience needed in retail tax stores. Intuit stated they only hire CPAs, tax attorneys, and Enrolled Agents to offer advise to customers about tax questions. With both attempts by H&R Block to stop the commercial ads, it’s clear that the U.S. District Court does not see this as an infringement on the company’s trademark, which was the grounds for the original lawsuit.

Intuit and Television Ads

Intuit has said they will continue to run the two ads despite the H&R Block’s determination to keep the lawsuit going. The TurboTax software can be accessed on a secure website and offers free tax preparation in an intuitive and user friendly application. The programs walks the filer through the process by asking question. It sometimes will recommend a different filing especially for the self-employed.