Get 15 percent off H&R Block At Home tax software plus a 12 percent cash rebate when you purchase the software through eBates.com. The deal includes their deluxe and premium software. With the two discounts here’s how the pricing breaks down:
Premium tax software sells for $49.95
Minus instant 15 percent = $42.45
Minus cash rebate of 12 percent = $37.36
That adds up to 25 percent off the starting price!
Deluxe tax software sells for $29.95
Minus instant 15 percent = $25.45
Minus cash rebate of 12 percent = $22.40
That adds up to 25 percent off the starting price!
Basic tax software is free!
If you don’t use these H&R Block coupons, you can file your taxes for free. There are also a lot of coupons for state and federal tax filing. And if you are 50-plus, you can get free tax preparation and filing through AARP.
If you are new to eBates, see No. 3 on my earlier post about online shopping coupons and discounts.
- GenBug/Flickr
Taxes have absolutely nothing to do with Valentine’s Day but H&R Block is doing their best to associate the two events. Starting tomorrow through Sunday you can get discounted tax software and filing help through H&R Block online.
All their online tax prep products for federal taxes are $14 (orig. $15-$50). That’s 6-72 percent off depending on whether you use the basic, deluxe or premium versions. Filing state returns is an extra $30.
The deal runs Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. One cool thing about this deal is that if you register during the offer period you lock in the price, even if you do your taxes in April.
The H&R Block At Home basic, deluxe and premium programs offer audit support from a live tax professional, the ability to import data from your employer and financial provider, and a tax calculator. You can also import last year’s tax data from TurboTax or TaxCut.
Free tax advice today! If you can’t make a call today, the free hotline is also operating Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. The freebie is courtesy of Kiplingers magazine and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors.
Get a 50 percent off coupon for Joanns and use it by Saturday, Jan. 23.
Gift certificates at Restaurant.com are 70 percent off through Jan. 26, 2010.
Looking for baby or children’s clothes? Sears and Kmart are having a huge clearance sale with items starting at $1.19.
Whole Foods has coupons, surprisingly enough. Just six when I last checked, but it’s better than nothing.
See all the deals on my WalletPop blog.
alancleaver 2000/Flickr
Until the end of January you can get one tax question answered free courtesy of Turbo Tax. A real live person will get back to your within two days. You only get to ask one question, so make sure it is a good one! The question can be about federal or state taxes for individuals or businesses. The more detailed your question, the better. Submit your question here.
Be prepared to share your name, email, and answer two quick questions about your taxes. Then pick a two-hour window during which a Turbo Tax specialist can get back to you, between 7 am and 7 pm PST. They will reach out to you twice, then close the request.
I have not used this service, but I would expect a pitch to purchase Turbo Tax software from the tax expert who calls you back. Just a hunch. Let me know if you use this service!
Caveats: one question per person.
iowa spirit walker/Flickr
Here’s a quick recap to let you know that the website where you can file your federal taxes for free is now accepting 2009 returns.Here’s a quick recap to let you know that the website where you can file your federal taxes for free is now accepting 2009 returns.
The freebie file exists thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. Here’s how it worked for 2008 taxes filed last April. I expect the free filing options to be very similar for 2009 taxes.
Option No. 1. You can file your federal returns for free using the traditional Free File, which offers step-by-step help, if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less (this number could vary slightly for 2009). The software puts your answers directly into the forms and does the math for you. You can get a refund as quick as 10 days if you opt for direct deposit. This service is available in Spanish.
Option No. 2. You can fill in your own tax forms without the help of software using the Free Fillable Forms. This hands-off approach lets you prepare and e-file your 1040, 1040 A and 1040EZ federal returns. There are no income limits, as with Option No. 1. State forms are not included.
Both of these options make it possible to file your federal tax forms for free. State forms are not included, however. Does anybody know a way to file state taxes for free?
Thanks, Tina!
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Get ready for tax season! Preparing will be a little easier knowing you can file for free thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. The site does not go live for 2010 until Jan. 15, so this is really just a heads up.
Here’s how it worked for 2008 taxes filed last April. I expect the free filing options to be very similar for 2009 taxes.
Option No. 1. You can file your federal returns for free using the traditional Free File, which offers step-by-step help, if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less (this number could vary slightly for 2009). The software puts your answers directly into the forms and does the math for you. You can get a refund as quick as 10 days if you opt for direct deposit. This service is available in Spanish.
Option No. 2. You can fill in your own tax forms without the help of software using the Free Fillable Forms. This hands-off approach lets you prepare and e-file your 1040, 1040 A and 1040EZ federal returns. There are no income limits, as with Option No. 1. State forms are not included.
Both of these options make it possible to file your federal tax forms for free. State forms are not included, however. Does anybody know a way to file state taxes for free?
Thanks, Tina!
Hubby and I wrote two fat checks today and are consoling ourselves by taking advantage of some of the many tax day freebies. Yahoo found 18 deals, including ones for free ice cream, free cinnamon rolls, free tacos, free gift cards, and more.
Wine.com offers $10.40 off on any order over $99 with promo code TAXSAVINGS. Expires April 15, 2009.
Walgreens.com is offering 15% off online orders with coupon code TAXED, which is good for up to 5 uses per account through April 20, 2009. Caveats: does not apply to pharmacy or photo orders, gift card purchases, taxes or shipping charges. Online only.
PF Chang’s is offering 15% off to diners today.
Participating Dunkin Donuts are offering a free doughnut when you buy a cup of coffee today only.
A site called Bargain Shopper Lady found three more tax day deals, including a free Redbox rental.
More freebies here, courtesy of a link my Dad shared.
What did I miss? Please share tax day deals by leaving a comment. Thanks!
Stiiiiiiiiiilll filing your taxes? Productivity 501 has a long list of sites where you can e-file for free. Note, some of the sites this blog suggests have income limits or are available only to residents of certain states.
No matter where you live, you can file free online by using the IRS’ Free File if you make less than $56,000. If you make more than that and are using forms 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ, use Free File Fillable Forms, which requires you do the math on your own.
Hubby and I are rolling out our tax paperwork this weekend and crossing our fingers we won’t have to write a check. If you doing your taxes this weekend too here are some last minute tax tips:
Charles Schwab suggests 8 tips to lower your dues to Uncle Sam, including verifying eligibility for the Alternative Minimum Tax.
SmartMoney has put together a 36-page PDF brochure that covers everything from how the stimulus bill will affect your taxes to tips for small business owners and tax traps.
Fox Business lays out just how expensive it is to NOT pay your taxes by April 15. Also, did you know you can pay your taxes with a credit card? I’m scandalized!
Still confused? The Washington Post’s money guru Michelle Singletary is hosting a live chat to answer your tax questions on April 9 at 9 a.m. PST.
Getting a lender to modify your mortgage to make it more affordable is a complicated process. A recent story in the LA Times explains the ins and outs of the $75 billion federal program to help struggling homeowners.
If you have been fantasizing about negotiating lower mortgage payments, the story may well disappoint. “Loan modifications, with rare exceptions, can be obtained only by borrowers who can show there’s a substantial chance their troubled mortgages can get back on track.”
To be eligible for a mortgage modification:
- The home must NOT be an investment property
- The unpaid loan balance has to be $729,750 or less
- Loan must have been made before Jan. 1, 2009
- You must be employed or have a new job lined up
Read the full story here.
If you make less than $42,000 you can get free tax help from the IRS this Saturday, March 21, 2009. On “Super Saturday” IRS-partner centers will help you prepare your taxes, answer questions, or arrange a payment schedule. Find a tax help center near you by clicking on your state on this IRS page.
To get help bring your valid driver’s license or photo identification, social security cards for all persons listed on the return, dates of birth for all persons listed on the return, all income statements (Forms W-2, 1099, Social Security, unemployment, or other benefits statements, self-employment records and any documents showing taxes withheld), dependent child care information (payee’s name, address and social security number or taxpayer identification number), proof of account at financial institution for direct debit or deposit (i.e. cancelled/voided check or bank statement), prior year tax return (if available), any other pertinent documents or papers.
A friend recently found out he is getting a $13,535 tax refund. Wow!!!
I could not persuade him to invest in Bargain Babe, so he has the pleasant burden of deciding what to do with his wad. He is considering refinancing, socking it away, or splurging on a long trip to hike the Inca Trail in Peru.
Hubby and I don’t expect to get a tax refund, but if we did it would go straight to savings.
What are your plans for your tax return – or are you expecting to write a check to Uncle Sam? Share your two cents by leaving a comment.
Experts recommend having 3-6 months of expenses stashed away in an emergency fund. These days, it is wise to have 6-9 months of expenses stashed away, or more if you are an older worker (it takes longer to find a job).
But what happens when your cash runs out?
If you must take drastic steps, here’s what to cash out, according to USA Today.
Along these same lines, TheStreet.com shares five steps to take if you cannot pay your bills.
If you are facing foreclosure, here is how you can buy some time (video).
If you got your lender to reduce your mortgage debt or already foreclosed, here’s how to deal with that on your taxes.
President Obama talked about how he plans to get us out of the recession last night. One thing that caught my ear was a Web site he set up to explain how he is spending the $800 billion bailout (aka the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA).
The site is called Recovery.gov and it has a chart, above, that divides the massive spending bill into eight categories. Tax relief gets the biggest chunk, at $288 billion.
The site will soon have information about how the money is being allotted by state, congressional district, and federal contractor. You can share your recovery story as an individual or business owner. Or read FAQs about the site. The site’s goal is to be so transparent with how our tax dollars are being spent that citizens get involved and feel confident their money is being well spent.
Does Recovery.gov make you feel better about the $800 bailout? It assuages my fears, if only a little.
There are a few new tax credits (and some old ones) that could help you get a refund when tax season rears its ugly head. You may qualify for one of these credits if you have children, are low-income, did not get the full economic stimulus check, deduct property taxes, OR had part of your mortgage debt forgiven.
Read about all six credits here. If you read the entire story you will see I wrote it. So I can vouch for all the info! The best thing about tax credits is that they directly contribute to you getting money back. So if you owe $200 in taxes but have a $600 credit, Uncle Sam gives you a $400 refund.
Also, this year you can file your taxes electronically FOR FREE no matter what your income.
UPDATE: The first-time home buy credit of $8,000 does NOT have to be paid back. Thanks to reader Katharine who pointed this out!
