When it comes to do-it-yourself tax preparation software, the most well-known program by far is TurboTax. This program has won a loyal set of customers by providing an easy way to file tax returns quickly and accurately. With the release of the online versions of TurboTax, you no longer need to purchase the boxed version in order to file your taxes. Instead, you can start your return for free by creating an online account. In some instances, you can use the TurboTax Free Edition to file your taxes 100% free. However, in the majority of cases, it will be necessary to upgrade from a TurboTax free trial to a paid version in order to file your taxes.
You can try TurboTax Online for free and start working on your return without having to pay anything. This is great for consumers because they will be able to try out the software risk free and even complete their entire return online before deciding if they want to purchase the program. However, you will not be able to actually file your completed return unless you upgrade to a paid edition of the software. Prices can vary, but in general, you can expect to pay $49 to $99 for the upgrade. This is still far less than the cost of hiring a CPA or tax preparation service, which routinely costs $300 or more for standard returns.
In some cases, you will be able to file your return for free using the TurboTax Free Edition. However, this particular edition of TurboTax can only be used for the simplest returns for people with limited income. Unfortunately, most people will not fall into this category.
On average, you should expect to spend about two to three hours working with TurboTax before being able to file your return.
For the most part, TurboTax is very straightforward to use, and as long as you can follow simple instructions, you should have no difficulty utilizing this program. New users, however, should check out the short video below before getting started:
Learn more about TurboTax here.
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