Mediaboss Marketing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. This year's tax wars between H&R Block and TurboTax maker Intuit have erupted over their competing software packages and filers' access to mundane forms.

Each company is offering free software to consumers in the wake of changes Intuit made to its software packages that caught many customers off guard.

Kansas City-based H&R Block hopes it can capture some of those surprised TurboTax users for its own.

"I was going to use TurboTax this year, but I said 'No, this isn't going to happen,'" said Charles Coody, a longtime TurboTax user in San Antonio, Texas. "Why should I buy a Cadillac when I want to buy an F-150 pickup?"

Coody, and lots of other TurboTax users, are unhappy about changes in what comes with Intuit's Basic, Deluxe, Premier and other versions of TurboTax software this year. Many are finding that they have to upgrade from the TurboTax software package they had last year _ and pay more _ to get the same tax help this year.

For example, the Basic TurboTax package a year ago handled a federal 1040 form and Schedule A _ the one taxpayers need to itemize their deductions instead of taking a standard deduction. Schedule A helps those with enough deductions, often interest payments on a home loan, to lower their tax bills and boost their refunds.

This year, TurboTax Basic doesn't handle Schedule A. It tells buyers they need to upgrade to the Deluxe package. Intuit cut the price of Basic but users aren't happy with paying more to get Deluxe.

Similarly, prior Deluxe users are finding that this year's version doesn't handle other schedules _ such as Schedule C for reporting gains or losses on stock sales _ that it handled last year, requiring them to upgrade as well.

As of last week Wednesday, 89 percent of the Amazon reviews had awarded only one star to TurboTax Deluxe. Some of those poor reviews have triggered a reply from TurboTax vice president Bob Meighan, or others from TurboTax on his behalf.

"We know that some of our customers won't be able to use the same TurboTax product as last year," said Meighan's reply on Amazon to one customer. He told this customer and others to buy the product they normally do and call an 800 number to get the upgrade they need.

Go here to see the original:
TurboTax software changes spark free offer from HR Block

Each company is offering free software to consumers in the wake of changes Intuit made to its software packages that caught many customers off guard.

Kansas City-based H&R Block hopes it can capture some of those surprised TurboTax users for its own.

"I was going to use TurboTax this year, but I said, 'No, this isn't going to happen,' " said Charles Coody, a longtime TurboTax user in San Antonio, Texas. "Why should I buy a Cadillac when I want to buy an F-150 pickup?"

For example, the Basic TurboTax package a year ago handled a federal Form 1040 and Schedule A - the one taxpayers need to itemize their deductions instead of taking a standard deduction. Schedule A helps those with enough deductions, often interest payments on a home loan, to lower their tax bills and boost their refunds.

This year, TurboTax Basic doesn't handle Schedule A. It tells buyers they need to upgrade to the Deluxe package. Intuit cut the price of Basic but users aren't happy with paying more to get Deluxe.

Similarly, prior Deluxe users are finding that this year's version doesn't handle other schedules - such as Schedule C for reporting gains or losses on stock sales - that it handled last year, requiring them to upgrade as well.

As of last week, 89 percent of the Amazon reviews had awarded only one star to TurboTax Deluxe. Some of those poor reviews have triggered a reply from TurboTax vice president Bob Meighan, or others from TurboTax on his behalf.

"We know that some of our customers won't be able to use the same TurboTax product as last year," said Meighan's reply on Amazon to one customer. He told this customer and others to buy the product they normally do and call an 800 number to get the upgrade they need.

A five-star Amazon review posted by Everell Edwards said he was upset by how Intuit handled the changes in Deluxe but "well pleased" that the company gave him a free upgrade to Home and Business.

Read the original:
TurboTax and Block offer free software after program change

The Internal Revenue Service and the Free File Alliance recently announced the launch of Free File, which makes brand-name tax software products and electronic filing available to most taxpayers for free.

Free File software can help taxpayers with tax preparation, including the health care law that will affect almost everyone. People can use Free File software immediately but e-filed returns will not be transmitted to the IRS until Tuesday, January 20, when the filing season officially begins.

Free File is available only at IRS.gov/FreeFile, thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of 14 leading tax software companies that make their branded products available for free. Since 2003, more than 43 million people have used Free File, saving $1.3 billion based on a conservative $30-fee estimate.

You dont have to be an expert on taxes or the new health care law. Free File software can help walk you through the rules and help you get it right, said John A. Koskinen, IRS Commissioner. For 12 years, this partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance has helped taxpayers save both money and time. The real winner in this partnership has been the nations taxpayers.

Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance, said, We are proud to once again offer the industrys most innovative and secure tax software at no cost to 70 percent of American taxpayers. Tax time can be stressful, but Free File makes step-by-step help accessible to everyone making $60,000 or less. IRS.gov/FreeFile is the one place where taxpayers can choose from a variety of industry-leading tax software options in order to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at absolutely no cost.

If you earned $60,000 or less last year, you are eligible to choose from among 14 software products. If you earned more, you are still eligible for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms. This more basic Free File option, which is best for people comfortable preparing their own tax return, will be available January 20.

More than 70 percent of all taxpayers 100 million people are eligible for the software products. Each of the 14 companies has its own special offers, generally based on age, income or state residency. Taxpayers can review each company offer or they can use a Help Me tool that will find the software for which they are eligible.

Free File offers easy-to-use products that ask questions and you supply the answers. The software will find the right forms, find the right tax credits and deductions and even do the math for you.

Some companies also offer free state tax return preparation as well.

Free File also can help taxpayers with the new health care requirements. Almost everyone will need to do something new when filing a tax return this year. For each month in 2014, you and everyone on your return must:

The rest is here:
Free File Launches; Helps Taxpayers with New Health Care Law

PHOENIX - - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance today announced the launch of Free File, which makes brand-name tax software products and electronic filing available to most taxpayers for free.

Free File software can help taxpayers with tax preparation, including the health care law that will affect almost everyone. People can use Free File software immediately but e-filed returns will not be transmitted to the IRS untilTuesday, January 20, when the filing season officially begins.

Free File is available only at IRS.gov/FreeFile<;http://freefile.irs.gov/>, thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a consortium of 14 leading tax software companies that make their branded products available for free. Since 2003, more than 43 million people have used Free File, saving $1.3 billion based on a conservative $30-fee estimate. Locally, 64,917 Arizonans choose Free File to submit their tax return last year.

"You don't have to be an expert on taxes or the new health care law. Free File software can help walk you through the rules and help you get it right," said John A. Koskinen, IRS Commissioner. "For 12 years, this partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance has helped taxpayers save both money and time. The real winner in this partnership has been the nation's taxpayers."

Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance, said, "We are proud to once again offer the industry's most innovative and secure tax software at no cost to 70 percent of American taxpayers. Tax time can be stressful, but Free File makes step-by-step help accessible to everyone making $60,000 or less. IRS.gov/FreeFile; is the one place where taxpayers can choose from a variety of industry-leading tax software options in order to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at absolutely no cost."

If you earned $60,000 or less last year, you are eligible to choose from among 14 software products. If you earned more, you are still eligible for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms. This more basic Free File option, which is best for people comfortable preparing their own tax return, will be availableJanuary 20.

More than 70 percent of all taxpayers - 100 million people - are eligible for the software products. Each of the 14 companies has its own special offers, generally based on age, income or state residency. Taxpayers can review each company offer or they can use a "Help Me" tool that will find the software for which they are eligible.

Free File offers easy-to-use products that ask questions and you supply the answers. The software will find the right forms, find the right tax credits and deductions and even do the math for you.

Some companies also offer free state tax return preparation as well.

Free File also can help taxpayers with the new health care requirements. Almost everyone will need to do something new when filing a tax return this year. For each month in 2014, you and everyone on your return must:

Follow this link:
IRS Free File Now Available; Will Help Arizona Taxpayers with New Health Care Law

Mark Hachman | Jan. 19, 2015

E-filing federal tax returns is free for people whose needs are simple. Get all the details here--and easy access to a variety of free tax software from top providers.

Free tax software and free e-filing for federal returns are here: The IRS has opened its Free File portal, which offers handy links to all the top vendors--provided you don't make that much.

The Internal Revenue Service said Friday that its e-filing system is open for the 2014 tax year. U.S. taxpayers can e-file their taxes either by using online forms the IRS itself provides, or choosing from Free File's fourteen tax preparation services, including name brands like H&R Block.

Taxpayers can also file their own taxes using pen and paper, of course. The IRS says that it is committed to processing9 out of 10 refunds within 21 days. But the IRS also said that due to budget cuts, paper filings will take an additional week or so to process. The agency also said it expects hold times to speak with an IRS agent to stretch to 30 minutes or more. If you have questions, the best place to start would be the IRS website.

Why this matters: Free tax help from trusted names in tax preparation is always a comfort when crunch time kicks in. The 14 names on the list include some of the biggies: H&R Block, Intuit's TurboTax, and Jackson Hewitt, among others. But the more obscure tax services--Free1040TaxReturn.com is a good example--offer the fewest restrictions to signing up. That may give some of you pause.

Who can file for free

The Free File list of tax preparation servicesdoes have some caveats, however. In general, you'll need to make less than $60,000 in gross income for 2014 to qualify. Some of the most popular services have even tighter income restrictions: TurboTax requires you to earn less than $31,000 to qualify, for example. In some cases, there are age restrictions.Those who own a home, earned a hefty salary, or have a broad array of investments may be ineligible for the free services, and may have to sign up for a paid service.

The services aren't available in all states, either, so be sure to check whether you're eligible. And, of course, you'll still need to file a separate state return. Free filing options will vary from state to state. Interestingly, California has a state tax e-filing program called CalFile, but you'll have to hunt down any references to third-party tax sites. Tiny, sparsely populatedNorth Dakota makes it much easier, as does New York, although the New York site wasn't open for business yet at press time.

Also keep in mind that 2014 was the year that the Affordable Care Act was enacted. In many cases, you'll simply have to tick a box stating that you and your dependents had health insurance for the year, the IRS said.

Excerpt from:
U.S. IRS opens Free File portal for e-filing of tax returns, but only for those of modest means