Get Ready to Prepare Your Tax Returns or Find a Good Tax Preparation Service to get your return or pay taxes

Robin Nelson Feb 1, 2013 · 6 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Do You Have Your Taxes Ready?

We all know that preparing taxes can be either exciting or dreadful. Every year when I prepare to file taxes I actually get excited, that’s because we get a return back every year. But for some of you it can be dreadful because you actually have to pay taxes. Finding the right way to do it can be a trick though. With all the changes every year you never know what your going to get back or have to pay in.

Prepare Taxes Yourself

If you want to tackle preparing your taxes on your own then here are some reviews on some tax preparation products.

TurboTax Reviews

Excellent!

“I filed an extension only because I was dreading doing my own taxes (and I was getting a refund)!!

Shouldn’t have waited! Turbo Tax is so simple. I finished my taxes in less than an hour ….could have been less but was chatting with my friend and having a cup of coffee while I was doing it!”

Very user friendly

“Turbo tax is great and easy to use for the most part. There are a few topics that I’d like more info such as new home construction deductions. Only found for additions. Other than that, it was all good.”

TurboTax Maniac

“I enjoy using this software. It is a blessing. Because of Turbo Tax, it provides me the freedom and knowledge base for the average family member. I can be rest assured that behind the scenes, there is a qualified and legal team that backs me up everytime! Thanks TurboTax!!! ”

I also use TurboTax myself, I find that it is pretty easy. I am not really someone who knows very much about taxes, so it does take me about a week to get it done. But I’m sure if you know more about taxes then it wont take long to get it done. It’s really easy to do especially if you go through the step by step parts. Also if you have any issues or questions there is someone there to help out. And I usually have tons of questions!

H & R Block Reviews

“H&R Block provides the most enjoyable interview process, with plenty of visual cues and clear explanation of tax terms. It also offers the most generous customer support.” —CNET Downloads 02/18/2011

“H&R Block at Home Premium also includes audit defense assistance: Should the IRS audit your return, a Block tax pro will help you prepare for and even accompany you to the audit.— PCWorld, Yardena Arar, February 15, 2011

“Block’s strengths include a neat and clean design, with a multilayered tab structure and good navigation tools for returning to specific areas. A right-hand sidebar provides FAQs and tax-guide links, program help, a search utility, and an ‘Ask a Tax Question’ area for searching Block’s knowledge base and–if all else fails–starting a free session with a Block tax advisor (another Block benefit).”— PCWorld, Yardena Arar, February 15, 2011

“H&R Block Worry-free Audit Support provides help from an H&R Block enrolled agent to assist with IRS correspondence, audit preparation and representation if needed. Worry-free Audit Support is included with all H&R Block At Home versions, which is a real plus.”—About.com 02/02/2011

As far as I know these two products are rated the highest, so I would recommend either one. I haven’t personally used H & R Block, but I have close friends who have and they love them.

Having Someone Do Your Taxes

Getting someone to prepare your taxes is a huge stress relief, especially if you have a ton of information that has to be entered and calculated. So I have put together a few reviews for you to make a decision.

H & R Block In Office Tax Preparation

Our Guarantees

The dedication and expertise of our Tax Professionals is yours when you file your return and after. You will have our 100% Accuracy Guarantee and a commitment to supporting you in the unlikely event of an audit.

Our Tax Professionals believe service is everything. That’s why we have a100% Satisfaction Guarantee. That means you don’t pay unless you’re satisfied with our work. Even if you had your tax return prepared somewhere else, you can still experience the best Tax Professionals at work. Just come in and get a Free Second Look® Review¹. We’ll check your returns going back one, two or three years (any or all) for any missed deductions or credits. We find money others miss.

“Using this software is like having your own personal tax accountant in the room with you.”—TopTenREVIEWS, 02/2011

“One of the things that sets H&R Block apart from other services is that you can visit one of their local offices and talk to a professional tax preparer and have them prepare and submit your taxes for you.”—TopTenREVIEWS, 02/2011

“They were one of the few tax services we reviewed that caught all deductions, credits and errors we were looking for to provide the maximum refund amount possible. We found the online tax preparation software easy to use, and they were 100 percent in tune with current tax laws. Additionally, they are the only tax service that offers free audit representation for those that subscribe to their extended service plan.”—TopTenREVIEWS, 02/2011

Jackson Hewitt Tax Preparation

If you haven’t noticed, Jackson Hewitt is advertising that they are available at WalMart now. So you can go to your local WalMart to get your taxes done. I haven’t checked our local WalMart yet but I am sure they are there.

They also do online preparation too, so you can do it yourself.

http://www.consumersearch.com/tax-preparation-services/jackson-hewitt

ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe: Mystery shoppers visit storefront tax preparation services — including Jackson Hewitt — in two cities. Problems are reported and advantages of large tax preparation chains are explained. Editors offer advice on how to get the best results. Review: Is That Tax Preparer Really Qualified?, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, March 2009
National Consumer Law Center: This report is the result of an investigation by the National Consumer Law Center along with local consumer groups in Arkansas, New York and North Carolina. Investigators found that many paid preparers were out of compliance with the laws governing refund anticipation loans in their states, and that some made errors on returns or even encouraged tax fraud. Review: Tax Preparers Out of Compliance: Mystery Shopper Testing Exposes Violations of Refund Anticipation Loan Laws in Arkansas, New York and North Carolina, National Consumer Law Center, et al., April 2010
SmartMoney.comDetails/Subscribe: Janet Paskin examines several tax preparation services, and says Jackson Hewitt’s preparers are underqualified and prone to making frequent errors. She also calls audit insurance unnecessary, saying the money paid for this extra protection doesn’t add much to the free guarantee. Review: 10 Things Tax Preparers Won’t Tell You, Janet Paskin, April 7, 2009

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