Tax Returns Done Cheaply or Free Online
This is not tax advice. I am not a tax professional.
Okay, now that we got that out of the way, tax season is here! I personally am not a fan, and every year, as soon as I have all my forms, I do my taxes ASAP just to get it over with. The tricky part is finding a way to do it for free, but so far I’ve managed to do that every year.
If all you have to deal with are some W-2s, then you basically get the pick of the litter from free online services. I’ll run through all the options, including the free ones and and the most basic. Your cheapest option is to do it online yourself. Now, if you have a complicated a return and feel unsure about it, I definitely recommend having a professional do your return so it’s done correctly.
Don’t forget to network and talk to friends and family. If there’s someone close to you who is a CPA or works for a tax or accounting company, they may be able to do it for free or give you some sort of discount.
Most of the following companies will let you do your federal tax return for free, but then will charge a small free to file your state tax return. If your state offers free e-file, you may be able to take the numbers from your federal return and file the state by yourself. Find out if your state has free e-file.
TaxAct
I used TaxAct last year, and I love it. They offer a free federal edition, which asks you questions in plain English, which makes the process much easier. I believe most people with income under $50K should qualify for the free edition, though I couldn’t find specifics on the site. The online deluxe version is only $9.95.
If you use the free edition, the state return it $14.95. For the deluxe online edition, it’s an additional $8. (I would recommend filing the state yourself for free, if you can).
Complete Tax
CompleteTax
has several options as well. Their free options supports 1040EZ and EITC, and anyone single or married filing jointly without children or dependents. Their Basic level is $9.95, which supports any 1040 form, dependents, and itemized deductions, and there are two more levels after that for those with investments or businesses.
Now their State returns are $29.95–definitely not the best deal. But again, you may want to try to file that yourself if you can.
TurboTax
I’ve used TurboTax in the past, and their software is really easy to use, but not as cheap as some of the companies I’ve already listed. Their free edition covers a lot of forms for simple tax returns. Their next level, Basic, costs $14.95 and is good for mortgages, childcare expenses, and charitable donations.
Their state is $27.95, a little less than CompleteTax, but more than TaxAct.
H&R Block
H&R Block has their own at home software, and it includes a free option. Their free option will not prepare returns with self employment, stock transactions, rental property, farm or K_I income. The next level is Deluxe, which costs $29.95, which is recommended as best for investors/homeowners.
Each state return is $29.95.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the places that offer free online tax return services. The IRS has compiled a list that you may want to check out if none of the options suit you. I’d also love to hear what tax services you’ve used in the past and plan to use this year.
Make Money Online: Answer Text Questions for ChaCha
ChaCha is hiring. What is ChaCha? Well, it’s similar to KGB. Basically it’s a service that answers questions it’s users ask through text message, and pays people to work from home answering these questions.
They are currently hiring for guides, and have four different roles: Expediters (rewrite and categorize incoming questions), Generalists (answer any type of question), Specialists (answers questions in specific categories), and Transcribers (transcribe audio questions).
To sign-up you must fill out some general info (name, address, etc) plus your education level, internet speed, and how many hours you can work. Then you watch a little video about the site, and then you’re required to fill out a W-9 form before you continue (including your SSN).
Next, they send out an email with a link. They ask you to select a guide role, though when I did it, they only offered the Expediter role, so I assume that’s the role they make everyone start with. After that there’s a timed compatibility assessment, and if you pass you can start orientation and training.
This is a contract position, but unlike KGB, you do not have to schedule shifts, you can just jump on whenever you feel like it. It seems like a convenient way to make some extra money online.
From what I can gather reading on their website and other people’s reviews (I did not finish signing up), they don’t pay per question, but instead give you points based on a number of factors (how busy it is, the complexity of your role or the questions, etc.). At the end of the month, those points convert to cash, based on how many points everyone else has. You can cash out when you’re receive $100 or sign-up for a debit card to use your money sooner.
Seems a little fishy to me, and I’ve read reviews praising and scolding Cha Cha, so I’ll leave it up to you to see if it’s worth your time. Comparing this with KGB, I think KGB is the better choice, simply because KGB is straightforward about the amount of money you’re making, and you’re paid monthly.
ChaCha Stats
Info Required to Sign Up: Name, address, birth date, phone number, email, education level, info to fill out W-9 (including SSN)
Member eligibility requirements: 18+ years old, fluent in English, U.S. mailing address, authorized to work in the U.S., high-speed Internet connection
Sign up bonuses: None
How points are earned: Answering questions, transcribing questions, rewriting and categorizing questions.
Value of action: Unable to determine
Redemption options: Money
Fees or rules for redemption: Paid once you reach $100 or you can get their special debit card to access money earlier.
Cash value of points: Based on percentage of monthly cash pool.
Worked for KGB or ChaCha? I’d love to hear about your experiences. Feel free to share them in the comments below, or email me.
Free Movie Screening: Hot Tub Time Machine
All right, I admit it, I am in love with John Cusack, and the premise of this movie seems pretty epic. So I was excited to see that Eventful is doing tons of free screenings for this movie across the US and Canada.
Hot Tub Time Machine stars the wonderful John Cusack, Lizzy Caplan, Rob Cordry, and more. The plot description, via IMDB: After a night of drinking Red Bull and vodkas, a group of guys travel back in time to when they were younger cads. See. Epic. I’ll include the trailer at the end of this post.
Now how Eventful is doing it, is you can volunteer to host a free screening, or just sign up to attend. A lot of the cities already have hosts, but there still seem to be plenty of passes available.
I would list all the cities, but there’s 50 of them up there now. I don’t know if more cities will be added, but more screenings are being added daily. Check out the list. It’s good to note that some of the cities include other nearby cities. For example, when I clicked on Chicago, it included screenings in Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Elmhurst, and Woodridge. So the number of cities is epic. Some of the screenings in the larger cities are full.
To sign up, select a city and click on a screening. It will give you an option to become a host or attend a screening, if slots are still available. Fill out your info, and you’ll receive ticket info via email. Each pass is good for two people.
Now, I don’t know how overbooked these screenings will be, so get there early!
If you’re new to advanced movie screenings, check out my tips.
Trailer:
Not Dead
I’m sorry things have been a little dead around here lately, but I assure you, dear readers, that I am not dead. I believe I mentioned before that I started a new job. Well, I’m working in a tax office (not as a tax preparer, so please do not ask me any tax related questions), and this is one of the busy times, so I’ve jumped right in to working lots and lots. It will slow down a bit more in two or so weeks, and I’ll have more time off. This week though, I’ve barely had time to check my email.
So, I hope to be back to regularly scheduled posting shortly, and do some posting this weekend.
Free Advanced Screening: HBO Movie Temple Grandin
This screening is a little bit different. It’s for the new HBO movie Temple Grandin, which will premiere on HBO on February 6th at 8PM.
The movie stars Claire Daines and Catherine O’Hara.
The plot summary of “Temple Grandin” according to IMDB:
A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of top scientists in humane livestock handling.
This is a great chance to see the movie early, or just see the movie if you don’t have HBO.
The screenings will be Tuesday, February 2nd in the following cities:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
- Washington, DC
To sign up for passes, sign up at the website and select the city you want. If you win the free tickets, you’ll receive an email with your ticket and instructions for the screening.
Now, this is an Entertainment Weekly screening, so it should be reasonably easy to get tickets for it, but these screenings are always WAY overbooked. You should probably plan on being there about 2 hours early.
If you’re new to advanced movie screenings, check out my tips.
Tickets for free screenings of Crazy Heart are still available in select cities.
Make Money Online: Answer Text Questions for KGB
This is a new opportunity I found out about about two weeks ago from Champagne Living, and I decided to check it out since I’ve been basically unemployed and underemployed for the past year.
You may have heard of KGB through some of their humorous commercials. I was only vaguely aware of the company when I found out about this opportunity. KGB stands for Knowledge Generation Bureau, and they claim to be the world’s largest independent provider of directory assistance and enhanced information services.
Basically, anyone with a cell phone and text messaging can text them a question and they’ll answer it. This can be for directory assistance, driving directions, trivia questions, whatever.
Currently, KGB is hiring Special Agents. These are individuals who, working from their home computer, provide answers to these questions that are sent in by KGB customers.
Requirements:
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
- Must have a U.S. Social Security number or other taxpayer ID number
- Must agree to work as an Independent Contractor
- Cannot already be employed by kgb or any of its subsidiaries
- Must have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection and Mozilla Firefox web browser
- Must provide a U.S. bank account for direct deposit
- Must have a U.S. mailing address.
Agents can work anytime, 24 hours a day, that’s convenient for them. The minimum amount of work required is 8 hours per month (about 2 hours per week). Pay is per question answered, 10 cents for full responses and 5 cents for validation responses pulled from the database. Pay is monthly, and it is a contract position.
More information about the position is available via the job description.
From what I know now, I would recommend this as mainly supplemental income: something perfect as a part time job for students or moms, or to help make ends meet during this tough economic times. I don’t think it would be a suitable replacement for a steady full time job. This is a great work from home opportunity though.
How to Apply
There are a couple steps to becoming a Special Agent with KGB. First you have to take the Special Agents Challenge, which is a series of different questions in different categories. You can take the challenge for fun and as many times as you need to pass.
Once you pass that, you’ll be invited to complete some training, and a simulation of the questions you’ll be handling as an agent. After that, you’ll take Certification test. If you pass, you’ll be offered a position. If you fail, then, well, this opportunity just isn’t for you.
Depending on how much free time you have, this process could take a few days or about two weeks–they do put a limit on how long you can spending doing each step of the process.
They are hiring now, so if this seems like something you’d be interested in, apply now, before this opportunity disapears.
Happy New Year!
As the final hours are ticking down to 2010, I wanted to wish all of my readers at Happy New Year!
This past year has been a challenge for me financially (losing my job and what not), and I know I wouldn’t have been able to survive without my thrifty ways and the tips I’ve garnered from the other bloggers I read. I hope my posts have been as helpful to you, my dear readers.
I plan for a great year ahead, with more freebies, money savings tips, and ways to make extra money. Hopefully you’ll stick around, maybe even subscribe to the RSS feed so you don’t miss out on anything.
So Happy New Year everyone! I hope we will all be happy, prosperous, and thrifty throughout 2010!
(Also, sorry for the lack of posts since I returned to Chicago. The boyfriend caught a cold while I was gone and promptly passed it on to me when I returned. It’s not the worst, but it’s enough to kill my energy and motivation. I hope to be up to full speed soon.)
Condoms and Lube: Free Samples and Coupons 12/09
This is something I’ve posted before that’s been quite popular, so I thought I should do an update since these free samples come and go so quickly.
I believe all of these offers require that you be 18 years or older to qualify.
If you cannot afford condoms or need advice regarding sexual health, I highly recommend Planned Parenthood. Depending on the location (and your age/income), you may be able to get services and products for free or on a sliding scale.
All right, on to the free goodies!
Condom Samples
Lube Samples
- Astroglide
- Astroglide Natural (US)
- ID Lubricants (short survey)
- Wet (short survey)
- Play
- KY Intrigue
Coupons
- Print Stimulus Coupon Package: $2 off Any Trojan Condom (10ct+), $2 off Trojan Vibrations, $1 Off Trojan 2GO
- $1 off Wet Lubricant exp 12/31/09 (print or mail) (direct link to coupon pdf)
- Print $1 off Play Lubricant
Rebate
$4 Rebate off 12 pack of Sensis Condoms. Good for Quikstrips Thins or Micro Dot Ribbed purchased between 12/01/2009 and 02/28/2010. Must complete the form, enclose a copy of the sales receipt, and the proof of purchase from the box, and post mark within 21 days of purchase.
Free Trial
As a fun bonus, Drugstore.com is giving away free Durex Play Vibrations Rings. They’re normally $3.99, but it’s automatically discounted to $0 when added to the shopping cart. Limit one. You do have to pay for shipping, but if it’s your first order at Drugstore.com and you spend over $25 you can get free standard shipping.
When I checked it out, the shipping came out to be $5.99, which was more than the cost of the ring in the first place. I would recommended ordering a few other items to get the free shipping.
If you know of any other freebies or coupons, let me know!
Merry Christmas! Get Your Free MP3s
Merry Christmas all you Christmas-y people out there.
Since it’s now Christmas Day, that means the last of the 25 free Christmas songs on Amazon
If you want to know more about this free music and how you can get other free music from Amazon, check out my original post.
Coupon of the Future: Doesn’t expire until 2023
We all know I love coupons and I love free samples. I get a ton of free samples every week because I sign up for almost every single one I see. One of the things I love best about these samples is that they often also come with coupons.
Well, I was going through some of the coupons I’ve received with samples lately, clipping them out and putting them in my coupon folder, when I noticed something interesting.
In the beginning of November I requested a Dentek Floss Pick sample from Walmart (no longer available). It came in a little pouch with three floss picks and a coupon on the back.
When I went to cut out the coupon this past weekend, I realized that it doesn’t expire until 12/31/2023. Now, I’ve seen coupons that don’t expire for a year or two (even some that don’t have an expiration date), but this I’ve never seen. I have a good 13 years to save $1 on Dentek Floss Picks.
When I told the boyfriend about this he was pretty skeptical about whether or not Dentek will even be around in 13 years (neither of us had heard of the brand before). I think I’ll sit on this one for awhile and see how long I can wait to redeem it. Perhaps by then I’ll have a flying car and a personal robot that does all my shopping. Or maybe paper coupons won’t even exist then and everything will be digital!
Anyone else get any good coupons that don’t expire until the far future?
