Tax software and clean fuel deduction

Just because IRS has a formal definition of "spokesperson" such that there are only technically 10 in the country, doesn't mean that I have to adhere to that definition.

As far as I'm concerned, when an IRS person gives tax information, that person is a "spokesperson" according to MY definition.

Another fascinating thing I've always found about the IRS is how they can't be held accountable if they give you bum advice and you then go and act on that bad advice and then get in trouble with the IRS. You and only you get screwed.

 

I took my deduction last year, I though, for some reason, that you could take the deduction every year you own the vehicle.

 

I received the following instructions for claiming the deduction when using TaxCut for the 2004 tax year:

Thank you for contacting H&R Block TaxCut® Technical Support.

I understand that you are unable to enter the deductions for your newly bought Toyota Prius.

You must use Form 1040, not one of the shorter forms, to claim this deduction. You should put "Clean-Fuel" and the deduction amount on the dotted line to the left of line 35, including this amount in that line's total adjustments to income.

We request to follow the steps to enter the amount:
1) On the [Forms] menu, click [Open Forms].
2) Double-click [Form 1040].
3) Search for line 35 and enter your deduction as mentioned above.

I'm surprised the IRS didn't add a special line for this, but whatever....just so we get the deduction!

 

If you take an action in good faith (e.g. based on advice given to you over the phone by an IRS phone agent) and it turns out to be mistaken, you will have to pay the correct amount, but you won't get "screwed."

 

Hey everyone, the seminar I went to in OCTOBER 2004 (my post was dated October 21) was put on by the IRS for tax professionals. The person who spoke at that seminar was a fairly senior person at the IRS. Unfortunately, I did not write down their name and position. At THAT time, the 2004 tables were not available but did become available after my post in OCTOBER and before the end of the year.

 

That's what the salesman at the dealer tried to tell me. When I asked him to show me proof, he couldn't. At the time, even the one time deduction was reduced to 1500.

I thought TurboTax had a bad dialog for hybrid, TaxCut apparently is worse!
TurboTax has line items for several adjustments, most of them '0' for me.

 

I will probably also be using the TurboTax software to claim the $2000 credit.

Are there any other Virginia owners out there who have claimed the state credit?
The VA tax site says that we can get 10% of the federal credit, but I'm wondering if there is anything else that I'm missing.

http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias...Credit3#vehicle

 

Hello everyone.....I used TAXACTONLINE.COM and found the clean-fuel deduction under the FEDERAL Q&A entitled "Other Adjustments." It simply was one blank line and I entered $2000.00. I was happy to see my refund increase by 500. TurboTAX or TAXCUT are about the same.

 

On the Taxcut program, I didn't bother to contact H & R Block. I went through the interview questions. When I indicated that I bought a qualifying car in 2004, it automatically put in the deduction in the correct spot on the return. I didn't have to enter the information manually.

Of course, that is the only time I went through the interview questions. Usually I go directly to the forms to fill them out, since I have been using Taxcut for about 10 years.

 

so what is the best software for doing tax w/this deduction? should i shell out extra for the deluxe over the basic version? i was at staples and they had turbotax, which was more expensive, and h&r taxcut and unsure which software to buy. so any suggestions would be great as i'm going to be trying to do our taxes this year. Thanks In Advance

 

Tha's like asking should I get an AM or a BC package? Depends on your needs and likes.

 

my needs? well i guess it just needs to have a place where i can put the deduction easily, and general ease of use. my likes? i would like it to be easy to use. if both of them fit the bill, then i guess i will go w/the cheaper one. hence my asking for advice is whether your or anyone's experience w/these software will sway me towards a certain end product.

 

They will both work fine for your purposes. I've used them both and prefer Turbo Tax but that's just me. Both products are excellent.

Since you mentioned Staples, you'll find a link below (click on "Staples Coupon") for $15 off a purchase of $75 or more. The coupon works online or in store. Good deal if you need some other stuff like copy paper, cartridges, etc.

Staples Coupon

 

AMEN!... I was wondring how to get TT to give me the deduction w/o having to hand force it....

Thanks!

cas

 

Big question: I ran across a referance to a 2004 Oregon and California tax credit of $1500, while running down info on the IRS $2000 deduction. I could find nothing else but that one sentence statement. Can anyone verify this California tax credit?

 

If any of you are using the TaxCut software... there is an INGDirect code on it... and if you aren't going to use it. I could really use it. Please PM me.