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New Member
posted Feb 6, 2022 8:26:22 AM

If I try a different Tax program should the results be the same? Tried 3 different programs 2 with similar results Turbo tax with a must lower refund?

Also, the cost of Turbo tax, through Turbo Tax is more costly than Amazon, Plus Turbo Tax wants you to upgrade, form using Schedule D, other programs do not !

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Feb 6, 2022 8:30:58 AM

The do-it-yourself tax software programs have to comply with all of the tax laws and they are checked by the IRS.  If you enter the same information into the programs ---- correctly--- then the results you get should be the same.  Differences are the result of either entering something incorrectly or in the wrong place, or from leaving out information.    And of course it is always tempting to believe the highest refund is the "right" one.   You would need to print out the returns and compare them side by side to see what was different.

3 Replies
Level 15
Feb 6, 2022 8:30:58 AM

The do-it-yourself tax software programs have to comply with all of the tax laws and they are checked by the IRS.  If you enter the same information into the programs ---- correctly--- then the results you get should be the same.  Differences are the result of either entering something incorrectly or in the wrong place, or from leaving out information.    And of course it is always tempting to believe the highest refund is the "right" one.   You would need to print out the returns and compare them side by side to see what was different.

New Member
Mar 31, 2024 3:34:22 PM

You would think that. However, I've tried 3 other do-it-yourself tax software programs (besides turbotax) and noticed that neither one asked the Same questions. H&R Block touched on issues that turbotax didn't. 

I answered all questions, using the same numbers that are on all the forms I have. 

I had one say I was getting a $1500. refund. Another gave me a $94. refund, and another that said I Owed $615. 

 

Level 15
Mar 31, 2024 3:38:37 PM

You would have to compare them all line by line and see what's different.   Then we can tell you what you answered differently on them.