I’m bound and determined to start blogging again, so I might as well start now. This isn’t really a review. I’m one guy, with a non-trivial tax situation, that has used some software. But I thought I’d quickly share, since it’s on my mind. It’s on my mind because I finally filed my tax returns today; probably the latest I’ve ever done it.

For many years, I have mostly used TurboTax. I’ve used the standalone software version, not the web version. I looked at the web version briefly several years ago (in the first or second year it was available) and at that time it was too simple for my needs. It’s probably fine now. For years, though, the pricing of TurboTax has driven me crazy. It’s pretty pricey software, for what it is, and they always twist the knife with extra charges. Last year, I paid $50-something dollars for a version that included e-filing, and I still wound up paying an extra $20 (or so) to e-file my state return. Like I said: Annoying.

I’ve been annoyed with TurboTax pricing for many years, so one year I tried TaxCut, also the standalone software edition. That was a disaster. I tried something on my return, then realized I had answered wrong, and went back and tried to change an answer. But I could never get the changed answer to be reflected in the forms. Ultimately, I wound up filing an amended return, which was considerably more annoying than TurboTax pricing.

This year, on the recommendation of a friend, I tried TaxACT. I used their online version. For $17.95, I got the “ultimate bundle” which included e-filing of federal and state returns. It was easy to use and everything seemed to work well — at 1/4 of the cost of TurboTax. Consider me a satisfied customer.