2021 Inome Tax

[JEBar]

we just completed filling out our 2021 Federal and State Taxes using H&R Block's software which we've used for many years .... ours are very simple, short form involving four 1099 Forms .... after installing the Feb 4th update and completing everything, I ran into a perplexing problem when I tried to e-file our Federal Forms .... the software kept saying one Federal form had not been updated .... after trying to figure it out for over an hour, I drove to the local H&R Block office .... they said the the software they use didn't show any such issue; furthermore, they had been completing and filing returns for a couple of weeks .... in short, they weren't able to offer much assistance .... so back home and back to trying to figure it out .... after a while I managed to do so .... they show that form will not be updated in their software until Feb 17th .... that's first .... guess we will just have to update our program at that time and try again

[CT_Shooter]

Me, too. I've used H&R Block's software for several years; they update the software regularly during tax season. I just finished entering the last of my data this morning, but can't file until the update.

As Michael Valentine Smith said in Robert Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land, "Waiting is, until fullness."

[JEBar]

good to hear I'm not doing something wrong

[Hatchdog]

Perfect timing on this for me. I have used Turbo-Tax for years but after two years in a row where I was contacted by them telling me my wife’s data was compromised I’m done with them. I was considering using H&R this year and wondered what to expect with them. For you folks using H&R would you recommend it? My taxes are simple, haven’t gone long form for several years due to lack of deductions. Only retirement and SSA income plus bank stuff.

I’m good with waiting until the 17th to file. Should I use H&R or look at another service? Thanks

[JEBar]

this is the first glitch we've had with H&R Block .... after entering our data the first year, everything but the new numbers load automatically ... I'm sure that is common with most systems .... we will almost certainly use them again next year

[CT_Shooter]

Should I use H&R or look at another service?

I recommend it.

I switched to from Turbo-Tax about a decade ago. At the time, TT had been discovered to contain malware. My taxes are not very complicated, either, and H&R Block has been very easy to use. It imports my data from last year's return and provides comparisons of the two years with side by side info. The interview process can take a bit of time the first time through, but after that it's quickly completed.

[dave77]

I've used FreeTaxUSA the last couple of years with no problems, it does save your last years info which TaxAct doesn't unless you use the paid version. $14.99 to file state income taxes. There may be a income limit for free version.

[Shakey Jake]

I worked for HR Block for several years part time until I got PO'd at the district manager. (He called a meeting for a Sunday afternoon requiring everyone to be there and guess who didn't show up? I wasn't on schedule that day.) I still use their software and haven't had a problem with it. I'm thinking about handing it off this year to someone I worked with at Block. I haven't full decided yet.
Jake

[dave77]

IRS accepted my return Jan 27 and my refund was deposited yesterday. I had heard returns would be slower this year due to staff shortages but that seems pretty normal.

[JEBar]

well, its the 17th and the promised update has yet to become available

[Shakey Jake]

The problem may be on IRS's end. When working at Block we'd always get updates almost on a daily basis. I'd hate to be in the IT department at any of those tax software companies.
Jake

[CT_Shooter]

well, its the 17th and the promised update has yet to become available

I updated mine late this morning.

[Hatchdog]

Perfect timing on this for me. I have used Turbo-Tax for years but after two years in a row where I was contacted by them telling me my wife’s data was compromised I’m done with them. I was considering using H&R this year and wondered what to expect with them. For you folks using H&R would you recommend it? My taxes are simple, haven’t gone long form for several years due to lack of deductions. Only retirement and SSA income plus bank stuff.

I’m good with waiting until the 17th to file. Should I use H&R or look at another service? Thanks

Did my taxes with H&R Block and I feel it is more user friendly than Turbo-Tax. However, both are good programs. Found out my wife’s data breech is somebody using her ssn and claiming it as a dependent. So I had to file on paper and mail it in with a special form for these issues. The IRS will issue her a special PIN for future filings.

[JEBar]

I updated mine late this morning.

tried early this morning with no luck .... tried again shortly before noon and it went through .... e-filed shortly thereafter

[JEBar]

question for those who have e-filed their Federal Returns >>>> if you have a refund coming how long did it take for you to get it

[dave77]

question for those who have e-filed their Federal Returns >>>> if you have a refund coming how long did it take for you to get it

In case you missed my earlier post, mine was accepted on Jan 27, refund was deposited to my bank on Feb 8. I had heard they might be a little slower this year due to staff shortages but seemed pretty normal to me.

[JEBar]

two weeks (or less ) would be fine with me

[BrokenolMarine]

We have used the same accountants for the last decade. A Mennonite firm in a small VA town, we had to drive up and interview before they agreed to accept our business. I was still working at the time, and handed her a disc with the previous year's tax info. There was an excel spreadsheet with my deductions broken down by class and tallies by excel. If she rejected a proposed deduction, excel changed the totals.

"We don't allow gray areas." She said.
" I'm good with that."

I email my documents.
She does my taxes, efiles, direct deposits the returns.
I mail a check, and forward a signed hard copy of the efile authorization.
I thought we would have to look elsewhere when we moved. "We got you."
OK State and Federal done in four days.



I'd rather pay them to do my short form, they keep up with the changes.
Peace of mind.

[Hatchdog]

Perfect timing on this for me. I have used Turbo-Tax for years but after two years in a row where I was contacted by them telling me my wife’s data was compromised I’m done with them. I was considering using H&R this year and wondered what to expect with them. For you folks using H&R would you recommend it? My taxes are simple, haven’t gone long form for several years due to lack of deductions. Only retirement and SSA income plus bank stuff.

I’m good with waiting until the 17th to file. Should I use H&R or look at another service? Thanks

Did my taxes with H&R Block and I feel it is more user friendly than Turbo-Tax. However, both are good programs. Found out my wife’s data breech is somebody using her ssn and claiming it as a dependent. So I had to file on paper and mail it in with a special form for these issues. The IRS will issue her a special PIN for future filings.

Forgot to mention that it could take up to 180 days for the IRS to process my return. Yikes! Well I won’t be using my return to help pay my first half property taxes but maybe I’ll get it in time for the second half in October.

[GeoBoy]

We have our deductions narrowed down to the point where we break even with the state and get less than a hundred dollars from the fed. I have never let the government act as a savings bank.