Best way for college student to do taxes?

Question

Title pretty much asks it all.  In highschool I used to get my taxes done at HR Block.  My taxes were so easy they gave me a discount and it cost me like $40.  Now I am in college and they wont offer me that discount even though my taxes are still simple.

I have two W2's, a few college text books to claim, and my tuition.  My taxes really are not that hard I am just wanting to get my money back that I lost each pay check (I usually get 90% of it back)

Will the free turbotax let me do my state and federal returns? Will it maximize my simple returns?  Is there a better alternative?

tro · Answer

if you are a qualified dependent(under 24, attending full time school 5 months of the year, live in the household of your parents 6 months of the year, and do not provide more than 50% of your own support
you are their dependent and whether they claim you or not you can only file and claim your standard deduction
also your parents will claim your education credits on their return
if yours is as simple as you claim you should be able to use the free file at www.irs.gov

NA · Answer

If you are 24 or older and made more than $3900, file away.

If you are under 24, you need to talk to your parents before you assume you can claim either yourself or your tuition.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd use TurboTax.  It's free for Federal (most likely for your situation), and the state is cheap.  Plus, you could try to win a free copy through a bunch of giveaways right now:

CarVolunteer · Answer

It couldn't "help them" (your parents) not to claim you.  If they could claim you, whether they did or not, you can't claim yourself.

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Best way for college student to do taxes?

4 Answers