[Roaddog53]

It's getting to the end of the year and am looking for a good tax preparer (CPA firm) that does taxes reasonably. I had a real good one prior to the move but not realistic to stay with them. Any good recommendations would help.

[Jaked]

John Tuminaro at Village Tax and Accounting is excellent. His phone number is 352-259-7053.

[jimbo2012]

Read her bio, spoke to her, she appeared to know her stuff.

http://www.easyas123.com/index.htm

[pklein9747]

AARP Tax Aide is a wonderful organization that provides free tax preparation and assistance. They will begin doing taxes again in February. Watch the Daily Sun for more information.

[Villages Kahuna]

Hundreds, maybe thousands of Villagers have their federal taxes prepared for free by AARP tax aides at several if the regional rec centers. All AARP tax preparers have passed training classes conducted by the IRS and many have been involved in the volunteer service for several years. I'm told they have an excellent record of successful filings for those that bring their documentation in for them to work with. They'll prepare your return quickly and "by the book". I've never heard a complaint about the AARP service.

Short of AARP, I'd recommend spending $50 or so and buying TurboTax to use on your computer in filing your own return. It's a step-by-step "interview" process wherein TurboTax leads you through all the income categories, then the deductions and tax credits, finally letting you file online. Filing online will get your refund deposited directly to your checking account in 7-10 days, much faster than filing paper returns. Before filing, TurboTax will let you compare your return to others in your income category and then double check for the completeness of all information. I've used TurboTax for years with perfect results.

[Roaddog53]

Thank you for the recommendations. I will definitely check them out. I did use Turbo Tax in the past but my finances got too complicated for it. perhaps I should rethink that agin too.

[CaliforniaGirl]

Originally Posted by pklein9747

AARP Tax Aide is a wonderful organization that provides free tax preparation and assistance. They will begin doing taxes again in February. Watch the Daily Sun for more information.

New FL residents, please be aware that AARP in FL will not do state returns. Most paid preparers will not do state returns unless they do the federal return as well, as tax prep software requires federal information to be entered (which will then transfer appropriate info to state return.) Paid preparers cannot simply use an AARP return to transfer info. So if you use AARP and need a state return, be prepared to pay to have the federal return redone (although not refiled) in order to produce the state return.

[red tail]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGirl

New FL residents, please be aware that AARP in FL will not do state returns. Most paid preparers will not do state returns unless they do the federal return as well, as tax prep software requires federal information to be entered (which will then transfer appropriate info to state return.) Paid preparers cannot simply use an AARP return to transfer info. So if you use AARP and need a state return, be prepared to pay to have the federal return redone (although not refiled) in order to produce the state return.

what state return?

[CaliforniaGirl]

Originally Posted by red tail

what state return?

FL has no state return, but 43 states do...so most NEW Florida residents have to file a part-year or non-resident state return with previous home state. After you've been a resident for a full calendar year, you're off the hook usually (unless you own income-producing property in another state, etc.)

[Roaddog53]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaGirl

FL has no state return, but 43 states do...so most NEW Florida residents have to file a part-year or non-resident state return with previous home state. After you've been a resident for a full calendar year, you're off the hook usually (unless you own income-producing property in another state, etc.)

That will save some money! Once I get past the last state return. So Florida has no state credits, property tax relief, etc?

[CaliforniaGirl]

Originally Posted by Roaddog53

That will save some money! Once I get past the last state return. So Florida has no state credits, property tax relief, etc?

Since FL has no state income tax, there is no state tax credit to claim on your federal return. So you claim sales tax credit instead.

[2 Oldcrabs]

Tax returns are easy. How much money did you make last year? Just send it in!

[George1938]

Originally Posted by roaddog53

it's getting to the end of the year and am looking for a good tax preparer (cpa firm) that does taxes reasonably. I had a real good one prior to the move but not realistic to stay with them. Any good recommendations would help.

i used a cpa for years at about $700 for state and federal returns. Compared turbo tax versus his work one year and found no significant difference, cost for turbo tax about $75 a year. Take a look, you might be surprised at how good they are,
i was surprised and very happy with them for the last 3 years, will continue to use them for sure