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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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How much to e-file tax return?
I cannot find any actual cost info on the IRS or NYS websites... we definitely do not qualify to file for free. TIA!
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Posted 2/18/10 10:14 AM  |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
i don't think they tell you! its such a shame the way the did it. I would say try calling them to find out, but if you go that route be prepared to wait upwards of 30 mins on hold, maybe even longer. I'll look and see if I can find out anything
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| Posted 2/18/10 10:24 AM |
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telmah
LIF Infant
Member since 1/10 239 total posts
Name:
Prince
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Not sure what you mean by the actual cost. I believe that if you don't qualify for free e-file, then you'll either have to pay for some sort of software that will allow you to e-file or you'll have to go to a professional preparer.
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| Posted 2/18/10 10:25 AM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
from the IRS's website: you would select the company you want to use but then this would happen:
Step 4. You may exceed eligibility criteria after selecting a company
You may determine after you start preparing your tax return with a particular company you are not eligible for the company's Free File service and you may be subject to a fee.
If this notification occurs you have the following options:
Return back to the IRS' Free File homepage and review the list of companies and their services and select another company you may qualify for;
Continue completing your return but take note of the fee displayed on the company's Web site or
If your income was above $57,000 you can use the Free File Fillable Forms tool to complete your tax return and file it electronically.
For example, if you select a company whose free services are provided to individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $26,000 or less and, based on your tax data, the company determines your AGI exceeds the $26,000 limit, you will be notified you may be subject to a fee. It is important you understand each of the company's eligibility criteria before selecting a company.
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| Posted 2/18/10 10:28 AM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Posted by telmah
Not sure what you mean by the actual cost. I believe that if you don't qualify for free e-file, then you'll either have to pay for some sort of software that will allow you to e-file or you'll have to go to a professional preparer.
Sorry, I should have clarified.
We do use an accountant, and pay $250. Last year he told us that to e-file it would be an extra $50, and since we didn't need the $$ right away we chose to mail it in. I just wasn't sure if the $50 was something that the accountant charges us (which is total bull IMO but whatever), or the IRS/NYS.
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| Posted 2/18/10 10:47 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by telmah
Not sure what you mean by the actual cost. I believe that if you don't qualify for free e-file, then you'll either have to pay for some sort of software that will allow you to e-file or you'll have to go to a professional preparer.
Sorry, I should have clarified.
We do use an accountant, and pay $250. Last year he told us that to e-file it would be an extra $50, and since we didn't need the $$ right away we chose to mail it in. I just wasn't sure if the $50 was something that the accountant charges us (which is total bull IMO but whatever), or the IRS/NYS.
I efile thru turbotax.. it was $19.99 plus tax. $21.67 total each.
So he's about right...padding $2
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| Posted 2/18/10 10:59 AM |
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telmah
LIF Infant
Member since 1/10 239 total posts
Name:
Prince
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by telmah
Not sure what you mean by the actual cost. I believe that if you don't qualify for free e-file, then you'll either have to pay for some sort of software that will allow you to e-file or you'll have to go to a professional preparer.
Sorry, I should have clarified.
We do use an accountant, and pay $250. Last year he told us that to e-file it would be an extra $50, and since we didn't need the $$ right away we chose to mail it in. I just wasn't sure if the $50 was something that the accountant charges us (which is total bull IMO but whatever), or the IRS/NYS.
I'll tell you this much...the professional software companies do charge tax preparers a fee for e-filing returns. Some charge per return and some charge a large one-time fee...sort of a 'licensing' fee. I don't know what your tax preparer's particular situation is, but part of that $50 could also be time spent on processing the e-file. It's not as simple as just pressing a button and it's done. And I'm sure he also has some sort of mark-up as a convenience fee to you, the customer.
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| Posted 2/18/10 11:13 AM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by telmah
Not sure what you mean by the actual cost. I believe that if you don't qualify for free e-file, then you'll either have to pay for some sort of software that will allow you to e-file or you'll have to go to a professional preparer.
Sorry, I should have clarified.
We do use an accountant, and pay $250. Last year he told us that to e-file it would be an extra $50, and since we didn't need the $$ right away we chose to mail it in. I just wasn't sure if the $50 was something that the accountant charges us (which is total bull IMO but whatever), or the IRS/NYS.
$45 is more then what the tax software program charges to e-file, but just like every business I'm sure he's just marking it up. With e-filing there is some additional work, you have to have the software validate it (for a fee) then you submit to the fed and state (for a fee each) then you as an accountant have to follow up and make sure it was received without errors.
With a traditional mail in return you give it to your client and your done
so at the end of the day $50 isnt that crazy, but he shouldn't even charge, it should just be a flat fee, no matter what
And if he does over a certain amount of returns ( i think 200) he's REQUIRED to e-file returns now, unless a client signs paperwork indicating they don't want to e-file and provide a reason! so he's being silly
Message edited 2/18/2010 11:31:08 AM.
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| Posted 2/18/10 11:30 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
We've always done efile and I have never heard such a thing. Our accountant has always told us a specific amount that we pay for him preparing the taxes, nothing extra.
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| Posted 2/18/10 12:37 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
There is no real fee to e-file that is charged by the government or NYS.
The fees comes from the software programs that the accountants use. These tax programs can either do a flat rate for all returns of they will charge per return.
$50 is a padded fee. At most to file both federal and state, the tax software programs would charge $11.95-19.95.
Any accountant or tax preparer who has many clients, would likely pay a flat free to do all their returns electronically. (This is what my office does.)
We do not charge our clients extra for e-filing, but every office or accountant is different.
ETA: IN NYS if you file more than 200 returns a year, you MUST e-file. Heather is correct.
Message edited 2/18/2010 2:39:29 PM.
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| Posted 2/18/10 2:37 PM |
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telmah
LIF Infant
Member since 1/10 239 total posts
Name:
Prince
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Posted by MrsPJB2007
We do not charge our clients extra for e-filing, but every office or accountant is different.
Agreed, and as long as they are up front about any additional fees and give you the option, then I see nothing wrong with it.
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| Posted 2/18/10 3:02 PM |
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dani731
Blessed!!!
Member since 1/08 3355 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Posted by telmah
Posted by MrsPJB2007
We do not charge our clients extra for e-filing, but every office or accountant is different.
Agreed, and as long as they are up front about any additional fees and give you the option, then I see nothing wrong with it.
I agree also. Those who do not charge an extra fee, the fee is probably already included in the total fee they are charging you to do your taxes.
ex. accountant1 charges $250 to do your taxes and $50 for e-filing while accountant2 charges a flat fee of $300 to do your taxes which includes efiling.
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| Posted 2/18/10 5:10 PM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: How much to e-file tax return?
Thank you so much everyone, I appreciate the info 
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| Posted 2/18/10 9:26 PM |
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