HELP: Taxes in Chicago

[Coleman]

Could anyone help out a fellow MU alum new to the Chicago area? I just brought my taxes into H&R Block and they initially wanted to charge me $400 for my tax return (it is admittedly a little complicated: 3 different states, W2s and 1099s). I obviously said no, and they called back and lowered it to $180. This is still on top of money I owe the fed (because I worked as an independent contractor), so it will still end up being a lot of money ($300+).

Does anyone here know anyone reputable in the city who won't try to cheat me? Better yet, is there any MUscooper who does this for a living in Chicago? I'd gladly patronize a fellow alum if I knew I was getting a fair price.

I know, I could use TurboTax, and I'm thinking about it. Its just that its pretty complicated, for the reasons mentioned above, and I want to make sure I'm getting all the exemptions/credits I can.

Thanks

[chapman]

I know, I could use TurboTax, and I'm thinking about it. Its just that its pretty complicated, for the reasons mentioned above, and I want to make sure I'm getting all the exemptions/credits I can.

I used it this year for three states and overall a fairly complicated return.  I thought it was great and easy to use for federal and I would use it again for federal and one state, but the process for the multiple state returns left a lot to be desired...seemed like the program wasn't "smart" in knowing where/when income was earned as well as knowing when a state required a specific form/questionaire be answered, and it would realize I needed something after three or four passes or if I really didn't need something it was difficult to go back and edit when I knew something shouldn't be included or wasn't accurate but for some reason the program couldn't detect it.  Plus in your case, assuming you have investments, etc. it'll run you $160 ($70 for the Premier edition, then they charge you $40 for each additional state after the first).  

[mu_hilltopper]

Honestly .. $180 doesn't sound that high.  3 states, 1099s?  That's not your average 1040.

I use Turbotax, but I'm an accounting geek.  It's probably going to take you 3-4 hours to get it all together, maybe more.  So ask yourself, Turbotax plus 4 hours of your time, is that worth $180?

Maybe you could shop around and find a place that'll do it for $100 .. but H&R has a lot more resources if there's ever a problem with the return, so maybe you are paying a bit of a premium to have their name attached to the return.

Just sayin.

[LON]

Honestly .. $180 doesn't sound that high.  3 states, 1099s?  That's not your average 1040.

I use Turbotax, but I'm an accounting geek.  It's probably going to take you 3-4 hours to get it all together, maybe more.  So ask yourself, Turbotax plus 4 hours of your time, is that worth $180?

Maybe you could shop around and find a place that'll do it for $100 .. but H&R has a lot more resources if there's ever a problem with the return, so maybe you are paying a bit of a premium to have their name attached to the return.

Just sayin.

H&R Block needs to offer after-filing support because they take risky positions.  They can then "hedge" the penalties and interest because of the sheer volume of customers.

Boutique firms piss me off.

/public accountant

[AlumKCof93]

$400 is outrageous.  $180 not that bad.  I'm surprised H&R would negotiate like that.  Does anyone else have a similar experience?   

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I pay more that $180 in WI.  I'd say that's a good deal.

or just don't pay taxes.

[GuyIncognito]

Sent you a PM.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

$180 sounds like a good price

[augoman]

actually sounds quite cheap to me.