Quote:
Originally Posted by okyoureabeast
I'm also going to be filing my taxes on my own and I would like to do it with some software
This will be the first time that I am doing it by myself. This will certainly be an adventure.
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You may not know that the IRS in cooperation with several major software vendors has had a free file program for about the last 7 or 8 years. It will become available 1/15/10 ...tomorrow. For the most basic of young people's returns, I suggest you consider it. Nothing's cheaper than free.

I have used it in the past for my kids, when they were in HS and college.
Our firm's software developer...CCH Prosystems (one of the biggies)...was participating in the program back then. The finished products were identical. Simple to use and you can't beat free. IIRC, there are income limits to the "free" use. Then they can charge based upon complexity. I'm not sure if you can file state returns thru that portal nowadays. But most states have their own efiling programs. Here's the link.
http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html
Couple of tips.
If this is the first time you are filing, make sure you are on the same page as your parents with regard to who is claiming you as a dependent. You or mom & dad. And make sure you have all your info w-2's etc, before you file. (Think of all the places you may have worked during the year.) There will always be woops moments.

You can't file amended returns on-line.
If you are fortunate enough to have investments with a brokerage house, have patience. Their reportings are often corrected once or twice during the filing season.
Make sure you print and copy your return for your records. When I used the IRS, you could not download the data to a local file. You could only print it and were not able to retrieve it further. Maybe they have changed.
Welcome to the world of harassed taxpayers.
