Comments on: The Katana: Holy Crap! Taxes Are Due Soon!

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:50:21 +0000

Ah, taxes; I’m so glad that they are done with for the year. Here’s hoping the people in Washington finally decide it’s time for a simplified tax system (I’m not too optimistic, but a guy can hope).

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:03:45 +0000

Back when my finances were REALLY simple I used to just do them myself by hand...actually going through the instructions and using hard copy forms and a pen. These days I use TurboTax which saves a good deal of time and trouble. Plus it caught a few things I would have missed so I ended up alright! .-= Mike @ Saving Money Today´s last blog ..35 Free MP3 Downloads No Strings Attached =-.

By: Douglas Bartlett

Douglas Bartlett — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:17:07 +0000

For MOST people, doing one’s own return should be normal. If one starts a rental or a business, the softwares can mess things up seriously. I wish 1040EZ and 1040A prep. was taught in high school civics.

By: Douglas Bartlett

Douglas Bartlett — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:40:14 +0000

Dear Admin, Yes ,I’m a 30-yr.cpa. If I didn’t KNOW that I could do complicated taxes better than most folks who buy a software, I’d close shop. I see people screw up using all those softwares regularly. However, your point about doing one’s own taxes is valid for most people also. Why 1040EZ and 1040A’s aren’t included in high school U.S.govt./civics class, I don’t know; they should be!

By: admin

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:25:34 +0000

Doug, most people don’t need a CPA to do their taxes. With the advent of smart tax software, if you have a basic return, including income, rental property, mortgage, student interest, these programs make everything quite easy. Every step of the way, they explain why and what you are doing.

I’m assuming you are a CPA due to your e-mail address, and there’s no doubt you guys ad value. But for the large majority of people, doing your taxes yourself at least once is good enough, with a cheap tax software.

By: Douglas Bartlett

Douglas Bartlett — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:29:58 +0000

Nobody should understand your own tax return more than you do yourself. A cpa can help.

By: Douglas Bartlett

Douglas Bartlett — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:25:29 +0000

Do you think that you know how to fly that tax software as well as an experienced cpa? Whom do you ask for advice during the rest of the year? A cpa should help you understand your own taxes and finances well, not just throw you a return and say, “Sign here.” Maybe you have time to grow your own vegetables, rebuild your own car engine and do everything else yourself too, but using a pro saves time and money and expedites your financial education all year long. BTW, the USA already HAS a flat tax; the 26/28% Alternative Minimum Tax. It isn’t enough. Anybody out there know who benefits from “regressive” tax structures? My guess is, it isn’t you.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:31:09 +0000

Thanks for the mention, Sam…I believe in the flat tax! I’m gonna get hammered this year…
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Unlearning the Lessons of our Parents =-.