Which tax prep software is easiest and best to use?

[LogDog75]

I'm getting ready to do my taxes and I'm trying to figure out if H&R Block, TurboTax, or another one is best to use. I've used H&R Block for years and this year I started doing my federal taxes on it. In the past, the software would take me step-by-step on my income, investments, deductions, etc. This year, it didn't have investments so I did it under income. I'm not fully trusting their program because it's saying I will owe over 2.5 times more than last year.

So, any suggestions?

[dem4decades]

1. I use H&R Block. I can't believe it lacks an investment area.

[mikewv]

2. OLT easy and it is cheap if not free depending on situation

olt.com

[demosincebirth]

3. I used, this year, e-file.com. It guided me through every step.

[Mosby]

4. There is a glitch this year.

I've been using h&r block for about five years. Been pretty happy with the software. This year I was not able to e-file because I turned 62 in 2025 and there is some form that has to be filled out about whether I took any SS money. I put in 0 and that didnt work, I tried to delete the form and that didnt work, so now I have to print out my return and mail it in. I put in a bad review. I paid $80 bucks for nothing, my return is super simple, I use the software just so I can e-file.

[LuckyCharms]

5. I use Turbotax with a caveat:

I maintain an Excel spreadsheet over the year which mimics a 1040 form, as well as its supplemental schedules (including the taxable Social Security calculation). It took me almost a full day to set this up in Excel, but once it is set-up, you can use it year after year, with some minor tweaks as the tax laws change.

Then, when I actually do my taxes via Turbotax, I compare the Turbotax result to my spreadsheet result (line by line, by comparing "forms" in Turbotax vs. my spreadsheet).

I reconcile or explain any differences to myself before submitting my taxes.

Usually, you can find Turbotax on Amazon with a $10 discount applied to the normal price.

[kacekwl]

6. EZ tax . Been using for about 10 years now with

no issues.