Last week, we discussed how to know if D-I-Y taxes are for you, as well as HR Block.

As I said last week, I am not as familiar with HR Block as I am TurboTax.  I have successfully used TurboTax for the last 4 years, and I will use it this year.

TurboTax is very user-friendly and easy to understand. Here is why:

• You can work on it as long as you want, and your session will pick up where you last left it.

• It easily downloads your investments (if your account is online) and also your finances from Quicken.

• While some of the questions are yes or no, Turbo-Tax also asks you several very detailed questions.

• You can do everything online or purchase the software outright.

• TurboTax offers online tech and audit support. It also assesses your risk for an audit.  My risk has always been rated as low, so I have never used the audit support.

• E-File is recommended, but you can also mail in your taxes the old-fashioned way.

It has always been super easy to use, and the one I recommend if you plan to do taxes yourself.

So, how do you know if D-I-Y taxes are for you? Ask yourself these questions.

1) Do I feel comfortable doing my taxes myself?

2) Do I have less than 3 W-2′s, and am I not self-employed?

3) If I am self-employed, do I feel secure in knowing how my taxes need to be prepared?

4) Am I comfortable submitting my financial information online?

5) Are my investments (including real estate) uncomplicated and easy for me to understand?

If the answers to these questions are, “Yes!” then you should have an easy time doing your taxes yourself.  You can use TurboTax if you have more than 3 W-2′s, but please use caution, as the more complex your situation, the more complex your taxes will be.

If you answered, “No,” to any of the questions above, I invite you to try TurboTax online.  You are not charged anything until you submit your taxes, so you can try it, and if you see that you do not like it, you can go to a professional.

I recommend taking your taxes to a professional if you have several investments, are self-employed, owe any back-taxes, or have a high audit risk.  That way you have the support of a professional between you and the IRS.

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Amy is the wife of a youth pastor and has four girls that call her Momma. When she isn’t blogging about her thoughts or her girls, Amy spends her days happily homeschooling, counseling, and cleaning up after everyone.  Oh, and drinking lots of coffee!