4 ms·

How will I know the software is properly optimizing my deductions without a 30 second animated progress bar with the words "Optimizing Deductions" flashing on s

How will I know the software is properly optimizing my deductions without a 30 second animated progress bar with the words "Optimizing Deductions" flashing on screen, while also advertising to me that I could be leaving savings on the table unless I upgrade to the TurboTax Pro Ultimate package for no up-front cost* * cost of TurboTax Pro Ultimate will be deducted from your refund amount, plus interest.

Alupis 3y ago
Generally speaking, if you are in a position where deductions and credits matter (ie. not standard deduction), you really aught to seek a professional to review your filing before submission, or at a minimum use two different softwares to compute your taxes and look for any disagreement (in theory, they should have the same output). Either way, the $49 to use the software is trivial (under this situation) and often is only paid if you use that software to submit your taxes (meaning you can "get a second opinion" for free).
- ghaff 3y ago
  The model is that someone with a W-2 and a 1099 or two and just taking the standard deduction should be "Yep, looks OK." If it gets more complicated than that you probably need to either spend a bunch of your own time or hire a professional.
  - nightski 3y ago
    That's basically how the services work today for that segment of citizens, and they are free.
    - stetrain 3y ago
      Well, they're supposed to be. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/03/ftc-sues-intuit-its-deceptive-turbotax-free-filing-campaign https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/03/... https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/turbo-tax-settlement-how-to-receive-payment-rcna27474 https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/turbo-tax-settleme...
    - Alupis 3y ago
      It's been for many years now that eFile with IRS is free, but eFile with your State is paid. You can always choose to print out your forms and mail them though.
nkingsy 3y ago
* deducting turbo tax fees from your refund amount incurs a 59.95 convenience fee (hopefully they don't do this anymore. They did it to me a few years ago and wouldn't refund the charge when I didn't notice and called to cancel it).
- stetrain 3y ago
  Then you click Cancel, followed by another 30 second animation of the progress bar going backwards while "Un-Optimizing Deductions" flashes on screen.

Alupis 3y ago

Generally speaking, if you are in a position where deductions and credits matter (ie. not standard deduction), you really aught to seek a professional to review your filing before submission, or at a minimum use two different softwares to compute your taxes and look for any disagreement (in theory, they should have the same output). Either way, the $49 to use the software is trivial (under this situation) and often is only paid if you use that software to submit your taxes (meaning you can "get a second opinion" for free).

ghaff 3y ago
The model is that someone with a W-2 and a 1099 or two and just taking the standard deduction should be "Yep, looks OK." If it gets more complicated than that you probably need to either spend a bunch of your own time or hire a professional.
- nightski 3y ago
  That's basically how the services work today for that segment of citizens, and they are free.
  - stetrain 3y ago
    Well, they're supposed to be. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/03/ftc-sues-intuit-its-deceptive-turbotax-free-filing-campaign https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/03/... https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/turbo-tax-settlement-how-to-receive-payment-rcna27474 https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/turbo-tax-settleme...
  - Alupis 3y ago
    It's been for many years now that eFile with IRS is free, but eFile with your State is paid. You can always choose to print out your forms and mail them though.

nkingsy 3y ago

* deducting turbo tax fees from your refund amount incurs a 59.95 convenience fee (hopefully they don't do this anymore. They did it to me a few years ago and wouldn't refund the charge when I didn't notice and called to cancel it).

stetrain 3y ago
Then you click Cancel, followed by another 30 second animation of the progress bar going backwards while "Un-Optimizing Deductions" flashes on screen.