How to use TurboTax to file your taxes for free in 2018
To use TurboTax, you have to set up an account from the get-go — unlike H&R Block. I filed my taxes using TurboTax last year, but I'd completely forgot my old password. Recovering my information was quite easy, however.
If you're a TurboTax veteran like me, you can kick things off by checking your past returns, as well as your previous federal and state refunds...
... or you can dive into this year's taxes.
Here's where TurboTax gets a bit feisty, dangling the prospect of being "50% done" if you sign up for their $29.99 "Plus" service.
Tempting, but I'm not really filing my taxes at this moment. And I also don't want to spend money. Upon selecting the "free edition," TurboTax makes a point of illustrating how you're flushing away all that progress.
Next, it's time for introductions. Once you type in your zip code, the software will throw in a little shoutout to your town ("We love our New York customers.")
It also politely asks how you're feeling about your taxes this year.
TurboTax kicks things off with the "basics," including questions about your marital status...
... as well as your employment status.
You're assigned a filing status — and an explanation of why you received said filing status.
Next, it's time to get into your income. In this section, you'll be dealing with your W-2, interest on your 1099-INT, and your IRA, 401(k), or pension plan withdrawals. If your employer is partnered up with TurboTax, they'll just automatically import your W-2 once you provide an employer identification number.
TurboTax also asks you to fill in your residence status, social security number, occupation, and, if applicable, military service.
You've also got to tell TurboTax if you made money in different states, if you were negatively affected by a hurricane in 2017, and if you have dependents. TurboTax provides clarifying statements and explanations for each of its questions, so it doesn't feel overwhelming.
I personally found that the free service felt very thorough. TurboTax is constantly reassuring you that it's checking up on things — whether it's additional sources of income or potential extra tax breaks.
Once you're done reporting your income, you get to the fun part — the tax break section.
After that, you answer questions about your health insurance.
And then double check to make sure none of these "uncommon tax situations" — from the alternative minimum tax to the nanny and household employee tax — apply to you. Afterwards, you can move on to your state taxes, then a final review before you file.
TurboTax was easy-to-use throughout my practice run. I liked that it was able to seamlessly answer my questions without overloading me with information. I'll most likely be using it again to file my taxes for real, once I get my act together.
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