Economy's effect on tax filing methods
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The struggling economy apparently is affecting tax filing. And I'm not just talking about individuals having trouble paying what they owe Uncle Sam or their state tax collectors.
The actual business of filing seems to be sensitive to these tough fiscal circumstances, with it looking like hard times help one tax-related sector, but hurt another.
The evidence of such a shift?
Intuit's latest report on its TurboTax
product showed growth for the software of more than 11 percent compared with a year ago.
Meanwhile, Kansas City-based H&R Block announced that its preliminary tax season numbers ending Feb. 15 showed same-office tax returns prepared in retail operations dropped
So do these two company earnings reports really mean that folks are truly trading paid tax preparers for self-preparation options?
It will take more than one set of numbers to reach a solid conclusion. In fact, just a few weeks ago a survey found that more folks are turning to tax pros for tax help.
But these latest Wall Street figures do indicate a trend worth watching by taxpayers, tax preparers and investors with shares in tax sector businesses.
Take our poll: The early tax-filing filing pattern reports raise, as usual, even more questions.Is the IRS' own Free File program
contributing to this trend?
As the April 15 filing deadline gets closer
will folks who've been putting off their taxes decide they need personal tax pro help?
Related posts:
- E-filing 2010 is here ... except for homebuyer credit claimants
- Picking a tax pro
- New forms this filing season
- 7 new tax laws that could save you money
- Don't forget your Daily Tax Tip!
- Don't forget your state taxes!
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