Most years I have simple taxes, without any deductions or credits. I still use a tax program because it is much easier than going thru and checking my math 97 times (because the first 3 times I always have discrepancies - LOL).
Last year (tax year 2022) I had credits for the solar array install so the program was more than helpful. I did have to wait until the form was updated on 2/2/2023 before I could file, but that wasn't a bad delay (I like getting them in as soon as eligible). This year I have a minor credit for the combi-boiler that was installed last February as the result of the hot water heater failing and proactively replacing the 30 year old boiler. I also bought a small battery backup solution after the 3 day power outage last March. It isn't a large solution, but can be expanded and will make heating much easier to deal with if I need to.
Last weekend I completed my taxes but the program said I had to wait for updates to forms on 2/2/2024. I just went in and installed the update but now they say more updates are required and they will be out on 2/9/2024. These are required updates for at least one of the forms I am using, so I guess I'll try again next weekend.
Preparing one's own taxes can be an enjoyable challenge, if one is so inclined. I did my own until your dad retired, at which time we started filing jointly and he wanted to do them using a program. When he started showing obvious signs of his Alzheimer's I knew that doing them myself would be insulting to HH, so I found a pretext to have H&R Block do our taxes. I should have done it sooner.
You may recall that, for a couple of years' taxes we have paid significant penalties (plus one year of much smaller penalty). Our largest penalty was the first year that H&R did the taxes - when HH failed to include the Form 1099 for his largest source of income in the package we gave H&R. Of course, since HH had been handling the taxes for 18 years by that time, I didn't know the difference. (I had no idea what his income was - only my own!) BTW: Each year, HH has told our H&R guy how great it is not to have to worry about doing the taxes, himself, now!
Also BTW: credit your sister for having suggested, years ago, that we have our taxes done by a tax company.
Posted by: Cop Car | February 04, 2024 at 08:37 AM