For many years now I’ve been using the downloaded Standard version of TurboTax to file my income taxes. I have three codes for online versions of TurboTax to give away to my readers. These codes are good for any one of Standard, Home and Business, or Premier versions. I had intended to prepare my 2014 taxes and write a review, but I’m still waiting for so many tax slips that this is not feasible. I can say that TurboTax has worked very well for me in the past, although I prefer the downloaded version over the online version. To enter the TurboTax online code giveaway: Just send an email with the following things: – Subject: TurboTax Giveaway – Answer to the following skill-testing question: (4 x 7) + 3 – 1 – Use the email address listed at the “Contact” link (For those who are reading my feed, you’ll have to click through to my web site to get the email address.) Another benefit of going to my site when reading a post is to see the comments other readers leave on that po...

I’m pleased to announce that every single entry to my UFile activation code giveaway had the correct answer to the skill-testing question. I know it wasn’t at all difficult, but some small fraction of people would get it wrong. Apparently, those people don’t read my blog :-) Congratulations to the winners who I have already contacted by email: Anatoli Cameron Louri Sean Christian Chris Thanks to everyone who entered the draw. Special thanks to reader Jon who was a winner but realized he wouldn’t need the code, and he made it available for another reader. Now on to a few good quotes from Warren Buffett’s latest letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders : “When Wall-Streeters tout EBITDA as a valuation guide, button your wallet.” EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. Some people shorten this to “Earnings Before Bad Stuff.” “When promised quick profits, respond with a quick ‘no.’” “If you can enjoy Saturdays and Sundays...

UFile has generously offered 6 activation codes for their online 2013 tax software to give away to my readers. I decided to go through the exercise of trying UFile’s online tax preparation to see how well it works in addition to giving away some codes. UFile’s online income tax preparation uses the interview method which means that they ask you a series of questions rather than just let you flail away at tax forms. In general, I find this much easier than using tax forms, but I invariably find that some complication or other in my tax situation forces me to look at the detailed tax forms a couple of times to check that all went well with the interview. The online version of UFile does not permit you to see the detailed forms that UFile calculates from your interview answers. I assume the reason for this is that they allow you to fill out your taxes without paying anything. It isn’t until you file your taxes that you might have to pay for an activation code. If they showed you ...

QuickTax is now called TurboTax to line up with the U.S. product name. This appears to be a change in name only. A quick look at the Canadian version of TurboTax 2010 shows that it is quite similar to the 2009 version. I wanted to do a more extensive review before giving away copies of TurboTax 2010 but I’m still waiting for too many tax forms. For those who have never used QuickTax before, you get two different views of your tax information. One is the traditional blue forms that induce fear in even the most fearless Canadian. The other is a more friendly “Easy Step” view where the software takes you through a long series of questions until you’ve entered everything required to fill out the forms. For the most part, I use the Easy Step view because it’s easier and I’m less likely to forget things. Occasionally I switch over to the forms view to check on something or to understand exactly how a certain claim affects the calculations. On rare occasions over the years I’ve had...

The makers of QuickTax were kind enough to offer two access codes for any online version of QuickTax as a giveaway for my readers. To enter the draw, send an email with the subject “QuickTax” to the address in the top right corner of this blog. Entries must be received before Saturday at noon, eastern. The winner will be chosen at random among the entries and contacted by email. I won’t use the email addresses for any other purpose. To regular users of QuickTax Standard, the most visible change is in the EasyStep interview process where the software asks an extensive set of questions to determine exactly what information you’ll need to enter. These questions were all asked up front for 2009, and it felt a little like an inquisition. But overall I liked answering these questions all together at the beginning of the process. My wife said that it gave her more confidence that we would remember to enter everything we needed. I’ve used QuickTax for several years now and find it u...

The giveaway winners of 4 copies of the book The Secret Language of Money by random draw are Aaron, Gene, Nora, and Adrian. The winners have been contacted by email. I accidentally jumped the gun and held the draw too early. Because I contacted the winners too early as well, I would have done a second draw for a fifth book for any last-second entries, but there weren’t any. Thanks to all who entered the draw.  Here are a few more interesting tidbits from the book. Affinity Bias Apparently, we tend to overestimate the value of things we like, such as familiar stocks and favourite sports teams. This explains why I always found so many willing Torontonians to take my bets against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1980s. Compulsive Spending Cycle I have always found the tendency for some people to buy things they don’t really want or need to be baffling. According to the authors, buying things makes some people feel good in powerful ways. Unfortunately, this immedi...

The giveaway winners of 5 copies of the book Ravens by random draw are Mike, Bella, Blair, Lyne, and Gene. The winners have been contacted by email. Thanks to all who entered the draw.