TaxAct has been sending notices since October for specials on their Deluxe Edition software which most people don't need. The Free Edition works fine for most unless you owe money, earn over $58,000 or have a State Tax return. What they didn't tell you is the only software available for download was the 2008 version. Me thinking they'd forgotten to rename it, went through the whole application only to find it could not be excepted because of the date.
Notices since December
Don't download 2008 for 2013
Asking tech support I only got the answer that the IRS is not excepting returns until after the 31st which is incorrect. They never said 2008 software would not work for 2013 but that is what they were offering. I went back last Friday and they had the 2013 package available and I breezed through it like I have the last two years. It's true that the IRS is not processing returns until February but it is accepting early submissions .... so said my acceptance notice.
The lack of an answer almost had me headed for Taxslayer.com, the other recommended free to use software for taxes. Like I've said before, TurboTax cost me what a live human tax consultant costs just because I have multiple incomes no matter how small. The H&R Block solution is for people that need online help.
Here is the IRS Free File page to let you make your own decision for software. Income below $58,000: Free File Software
So now it's off to pay yearly property taxes and the city water.
