Last month, TurboTax sent a few representatives to meet with the DC PF Bloggers Happy Hour group and talk with us about TurboTax and tax season. It was a real blast, especially since most of us had talked to them via Twitter or e-mailed then with questions about the TurboTax products and we finally got to put faces to names/avatars. And we always have a blast.

While I was there, they gave me 3 copies of TurboTax Deluxe with free Federal and State preparation online to give away to my readers. You can find out the details on Intuit’s website to see if it’s right for you.

TurboTax Deluxe is geared towards you if:

  • You own your home
  • You donated to charity
  • You have significant education or medical expenses
  • You have childcare expenses
  • You have lots of deductions

This giveaway is for the people with average returns who need something a little more complicated than the basic, free software but not for people with very complex returns. If you have investments and need to report dividends, gains, and losses, then TurboTax Premier is better-suited to your needs. If you’re a small business owner or freelancer, your best fit is Turbo Tax Home and Business. I plan to use Home and Business and will be writing about it when I do.

Please note, this is also the Online edition, not the copy that you download to your computer. They’re essentially the same, but if you don’t have a good or secure internet connection or if you would rather have the software on your computer, then please don’t enter so that other people can win.

This contest will run until Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. To enter, leave a comment below answering the following question: If you could come up with one new tax deduction for 2009, no matter how crazy or random, what would it be?

I will choose three winners using random.org. A valid e-mail address is required to notify the winner. If you do not respond after 5 days, I will choose another winner. For obvious reasons, this contest is only open to people who file taxes in the United States.

Also, increase your chance of winning tax software by checking out the H&R Block at Home Giveaway on Cash Money Life which will be going on until Saturday the 13th. It’s great tax software as well, so I recommend entering to win one of the two copies.

Disclosure: I was fed by TurboTax. Also, they gave me a Sigg water bottle which I’m very fond of, as I drink over half-a-gallon of water a day. And they gave me these three copies for you, plus a review copy of the home & business edition (which I’ll be writing about later). But I wouldn’t have gone if I didn’t already plan on writing about TurboTax and think they make good software that has served my family well for years (though this will be my first year trying it).

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Creating a System of Personal Finance Records – Textbook Personal Finance

February 5, 2010

This post is part of the textbook personal finance series which covers basic personal finance skills by going through an actual textbook, chapter by chapter. Check out the intro post for more information.

Last week, I wrote about creating a personal financial plan. The topic of today’s section is getting your financial records in order.

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File Your 2009 Federal Taxes for Free

February 3, 2010

Did you know that if you’re filing a federal 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ return you can file for free online without income limitations? If you made $57,000 or less in Adjusted Gross Income, you can use a number of free-file programs who partner with the IRS in the Free File Alliance.

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What is the Difference Between Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft

February 1, 2010

Both credit card fraud and identity theft occur far too regularly. Sometimes the two get confused or conflated. However, while credit card fraud is a form of identity theft, true identity theft is far more serious. Learn how to tell the two apart and how to monitor for and handle each.

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Personal Financial Planning – Textbook Personal Finance

January 29, 2010

Every day we make financial decisions with consequences. The more prepared we are to make those decisions, the better. Good preparation has two parts. First, we have to know our current circumstances. Second, we have to know our overall plan and our goals for the future.

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4 Financial Fiascos that Freelancers Should Avoid — Guest Post

January 27, 2010

The following is a guest post, but it’s on a subject that I’m familiar with–financial challenges faced by freelancers who are running a one-stop-shop. When it’s your job to be accounting, management, sales, and workforce, getting everything done becomes a challenge. Being overwhelmed in any one area throws the others off balance.

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