Thursday, February 4, 2010

Get with it, Turbo Tax!!!

Jim and I did our taxes last night, and while I'm THRILLED that they're finished (and we're both getting refunds) I'm SO annoyed about the hoops we have to jump through as a married gay couple in order to file our taxes.

You see, unlike a 'regular' married couple, who could go onto TurboTax, fill in all their federal information, fill in their state information, and pay for the processing and filing in one fell swoop - we can't do that.

We have to pay THREE times in order to file.

I have to enter all my federal and state information as 'single', delete my state information, then PAY for the processing and filing of the federal information only.

Jim then has to enter all his federal and state information as 'single', delete the state information, then PAY for the processing and filing of the federal information only.

Finally, once both of our federal taxes have been filed, we have to log back in, under a totally different userid, fill out all our federal and state information again, this time as 'married', delete the federal information, then PAY for the processing and filing of both the federal AND state info (even though we don't even use the federal information this time around) and submit only the state information.

In a nutshell (as I previously mentioned) we pay THREE times for the processing and filing whereas as straight married couple would only have to pay once.

Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that no one is forcing us to use Turbo Tax, but let's face it. Filing your tazes is a huge pain in the ass and since all our past information is in there, it makes things a lot easier. Honestly, it's not even about the money...it's not even that much. It's the principle of the thing.

As a married, gay couple it costs me a lot more money to use their services than it costs a straight married couple, and that's irritating.
They need to get with it, and figure out a way to make it work the same way for everyone!!

Jim and I are visiting our friends K and B tonight. It's been a while since we've seen them, so it'll be fun to chat and fill them in on all the latest news.

OK everyone, have a great day....tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!

3 comments:

RG said...

Write a nasty letter letting them know you're being charged 3x for each service and ask them for a refund of the extra funds spent. If that doesn't get results, I do work for a law firm you know...I'm just sayin'....

Larry Ohio said...

I would have just printed them out on paper and filed by snail mail for free. Because it is so early in the season you'd probably get your refunds in a week max.

I'm still waiting for my tax forms to come from my broker. Then I have to wait 3 weeks for the inevitable corrections. Then wait another 3 weeks for second corrections. Then I'll file! Yay!

Chris G of the Florida G's said...

I feel your pain. I was a loyal Turbo Tax user until the first time I had to do the same thing a few years back. Ever since, I'm a loyal HR BLOCK fan -- online, similar price, and no fancy gay foot work.