US Federal Income Tax Thread

[Thelasko]

It's nearing tax season for those of us in the US. This thread is intended as a resource on preparing taxes in Linux.

Current Software State:
At the moment there is no tax software that runs natively under Linux. TaxAct (http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=1265) is currently the only tax software known to run under Wine.

Current Online State:
Currently TurboTax offers tax preparation over the web, but does not support Linux. (has anyone gotten it to work?)


H&R Block's website (http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/products/product.jsp?productId=31) does not officially support Linux, but users report no problems using the site.

TaxAct Online (https://www.taxactonline.com/) officially supports Linux.

If you are aware of any other online tax preparation services that support Linux, please post them.


Lack of tax preparation software is currently an obstacle towards greater Linux adoption. The goal of this thread is to break down this obstacle.

Disclaimers:

Use any advice posted on this thread at your own risk! Ubuntu Forums and it's staff are not responsible for any fees, penalties, or criminal actions that may be brought against you by the US Treasury Department or any other government agency. Ubuntu Forums and it's staff are not responsible for any financial damages (i.e. theft) that may occur as a result of advice given.

This thread is not for discussing the legal, political, or ethical issues concerning taxation.

[Thelasko]

Please note that the Internal Revenue Service offers Publication 17 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf) Your Federal Income Tax as a free guide to preparing taxes. It contains the following notice:

All material in this publication may be reprinted freely. A citation to Your Federal Income Tax (2008 ) would be appropriate.

[Therion]

Similar discussion here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1035581

[Thelasko]

Similar discussion here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1035581

I'm familiar with that thread. I'm trying to come up with something that is a little more extensive. Perhaps something that could be turned into a sticky or a help article.

[MoebusNet]

http://www.taxact.com/products/all_requirements.asp?s=STD

"Macintosh, Linux & other users - Check out TaxACT Online, the easy way to prepare your taxes over the web" (quote from their web page).

[handy]

This subject is surely sailing very close to the wind as far as the CoC goes.

It will be interesting to watch & see how it goes.

[kevdog]

http://www.taxact.com/products/all_requirements.asp?s=STD

"Macintosh, Linux & other users - Check out TaxACT Online, the easy way to prepare your taxes over the web" (quote from their web page).

I'm going to pass the memo onto Tom Daschle and Timothy Geitner :)

[steveneddy]

I just use H&R Block's stuff online and User Agent Switch to a Windows ID and it works great!

Been doing this for years and I've never had any issues.

File in January and get my return in a week.

[jpkotta]

I use taxengine.com. I've used it to prepare my taxes for 3 years now (not counting this year), mostly for free.

<rant>
I hate taxes so much, they are way overcomplicated. The very definition of cruft and unnecessary complexity.
</rant>

[Thelasko]

This subject is surely sailing very close to the wind as far as the CoC goes.

It will be interesting to watch & see how it goes.

Yeah, I'm hoping to keep things within the lines, but it already appears to be wandering...:(

[Thelasko]

I use taxengine.com. I've used it to prepare my taxes for 3 years now (not counting this year), mostly for free.

It appears TaxEngine no longer exists. H&R Block took them over.

[perlluver]

I used H&R blocks online service, and after it told me that it wasn't supported, it said continue anyway, so I clicked it and filed my taxes without a hitch.

[notwen]

Filed using H&R Block's website and encountered zero issues, a warning saying you're using a non-supported browser pops up prior to starting, but no issues other than this extra screen. Did the same the past 2 years, no issues. =]

[Thelasko]

Filed using H&R Block's website and encountered zero issues, a warning saying you're using a non-supported browser pops up prior to starting, but no issues other than this extra screen. Did the same the past 2 years, no issues. =]

Thanks notwen and perlluver, I made a note of it on the original post.

[jpkotta]

It appears TaxEngine no longer exists. H&R Block took them over.

Damn. And I don't qualify for the free e-filing this year.

[jimbob]

I feel that anyone who puts all their tax information into a web based application is asking for trouble down the road. After all, that is a snap shot of your entire life for that tax year plus social security numbers, bank information, investment information, etc, etc. Do you really know where it went and who has it?

With the number of site break-ins and data compromises reported each year it is a chance I'm not willing to take. Last year and this year I ran the free downloaded version of Taxact on my VirtualBox copy of XP and will continue to do so until such time as someone or company comes out with a Linux download version.

[dspari1]

The only thing the Linux community can really do is hope that the WINE team will attempt to make Taxcut work. Other than that, dual boot away.