WTF Tax Software???

[pburgh81]

What is the name of your state? NJ

First things first. I am getting some WILD results here from different prep software:

Credit Karma- I owe $253.00 FED
Turbo Tax- Refund of $72.00 FED
Tax Act- Refund of $953.00

Triple checked everything on each site, same info across the board. Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

Also, I owe the IRS a balance. I am currently on an installment agreement. If I go with one of the prep companies that charge, since I owe the IRS for prior years and I am on a current installment agreement, can I elect to have the prep fees deducted from FED return this year and will they pay the company since I owe the IRS?

 

[davew9128]

What happened when you asked the company(s) in question?

 

[pburgh81]

What happened when you asked the company(s) in question?

About the different results I am getting? I didn't. It is all automated.

 

[pburgh81]

Pretty much, I am going to file with TaxAct. It's the largest refund of the 3 I did. I just don't understand why there are such HUGE differences in the calculations when all of the information is the same.

The filing fee is $70.00. But mainly, what I want to know is, since I am on an installment agreement with the IRS, will they pay TaxAct for the filing fee?

 

[Zigner]

Look at each form in each program for the difference. You don't want to just file for the largest and then end up owing even MORE to the government because you didn't feel like putting in a little extra effort.

 

[pburgh81]

Look at each form in each program for the difference. You don't want to just file for the largest and then end up owing even MORE to the government because you didn't feel like putting in a little extra effort.

After looking through, it looks like I am not being given the credit for Child Tax on Credit Karma or Turbo Tax.

 

[bcr229]

After looking through, it looks like I am not being given the credit for Child Tax on Credit Karma or Turbo Tax.

Have you double-checked to make sure you qualify for the child tax credit?

 

[Taxing Matters]

The filing fee is $70.00. But mainly, what I want to know is, since I am on an installment agreement with the IRS, will they pay TaxAct for the filing fee?

No, the IRS will offset the entire refund to the prior tax liability you owe. The tax prep company will then expect you to cough up the fee.

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? NJ

First things first. I am getting some WILD results here from different prep software:

Credit Karma- I owe $253.00 FED
Turbo Tax- Refund of $72.00 FED
Tax Act- Refund of $953.00

Triple checked everything on each site, same info across the board. Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

Also, I owe the IRS a balance. I am currently on an installment agreement. If I go with one of the prep companies that charge, since I owe the IRS for prior years and I am on a current installment agreement, can I elect to have the prep fees deducted from FED return this year and will they pay the company since I owe the IRS?

You must pay your fees upfront to any tax preparation service that you use. The IRS will not pay them since you owe the IRS.

The various tax software companies will all produce the same result with the same input. If you are getting different answers its due to user error.

 

[Taxing Matters]

The various tax software companies will all produce the same result with the same input. If you are getting different answers its due to user error.

Well, you are assuming that they all are perfect in what they do. Unfortunately that isn't the case; they do make errors from time to time. I've run into a few myself over the years with one the biggest tax software providers. They do get a lot right and considering that the tax law changes every year it's remarkable how good the software is, at least from the best known firms out there. But there is always the slight possibility of an error there.