I totally NEVER did this before (old computer, dial-up, swiss cheese brain) but today I decided to cowboy up and go for it. Went to irs.gov and found their list of free e-file sites...chose TurboTax Freedom (?) since we qualify for "free file".

It was AWESOME! It was just like having a nice teacher leading me step by step, in language I could understand, saying things like "don't worry about that state form, we'll take care of it for you", and "let's just review this" and "good news! no errors!"

You're probably all rolling your eyes, but I truly thought it was going to be a new trick this old dog wasn't gonna learn, and it was a piece of cake.

Yay TurboTax! YAY ME!!!

Just a quick question B2U. Do you itemize?- or take the standard deduction?

I heard that the rates for people who itemize are higher on the charts right now, until they are fixed in late February. If you take the standard deduction the rates are fine and won't be changing.

Did you hear the same information? I might have heard it wrong.

I'd better go check it out.

We take the standard deduction. It was free because of income guidelines, but I didn't check to see what it would have been if we itemized.

The IRS is not processing itemized returns until mid Feb. The tax change was too late last year for it to be ready before then. You can still file your itemized return, but it will be put on hold until then.

FYI, I found a new e-file site this time that will allow you to e-file your state form also- for some states anyway. The Fed filing seems to be free anywhere but most sites charge for the state file. This one may work in your state if you meet the guidelines. https://secure.icanefile.org/

Thanks wkikta, I re-read it on the IRS site to be sure I gave the right info. I guess they can't have all people and business, especially the CPA's and tax preparers sitting around doing nothing. They have to start now and then hold them for the bottom line info, then send them in.

If people wait it will be a mad rush in March and April and no one will get it done.

I have to itemize. I have more medical bills than income this year.

I have used Free Tax USA for about 3 years now and it is so simple. Because last year was the first time I have used Medicare D our deductions are greater so I am going to try to itemize. We have one last place to send us a 'W-2' form. It's not really that form but that kind of thing. So I am looking forward to doing it this week. With Free Tax USA, the federal is free and we pay a small fee for Indiana. This will be the first year for things like pensions, etc so it will be interesting.

I am headed to the accountant on the 5th with my bag of receipts and statements. its such a pain. I wish I could just sit down and put my info into the computer.

Im glad you are all done!

We have used Turbo Tax since it came out!

It is wonderful! It will get you refunds you didn't know you had!

Been using the Free Turbo Tax for a few years, link from IRS page. It is extremely easy, free for Federal, but a charge for State. But, the State is very easy so I just do it on their Page, haven't paid anything to State for quite a while.