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H & R Block Works with Linux

Posted by land0 on · 27 comments
LXer.com; By land0 		Mail this story
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Ah yes it is that time of year again for U.S. citizens. So when we started looking for an online tax tool that worked with Linux we were disappointed and surprised.

We have used Linux based operating systems exclusively since 2001. Being able to do our taxes Online for free or for a nominal fee has always been our preferred way to get it done. We used to use Turbo Tax with the Mozilla browser until last year where we found that when they say it does not work with our operating system it really didn't. Even after changing the browser identity information. Simply put they don't want my business. OK. We get the hint we will just move along now. :p

So then we tried H&R Block online. We were greeted once again with the no Appl$ or M$ no can do screen. I didn't let that pesky little screen hold me down oh no! I got ready for the annual mud wrestling match with the website. I slicked myself up really good with Crisco... but that is a completely different story.

Step 1: I tried the direct approach. Just click next --> holy c$#p! They like me, they really really like me!!! Thats right, good ol' H&R Block Online works flawlessly with Iceweasel 3.05 and Debian Lenny. I bet it just might work with all of the other misjudged and under appreciated 100% Freedomware based operating systems folks.

Step 2: Tell all the other Freedomware Folks about it.

Step 3: Send H&R Block a nice friendly and professional email letting them them know that it is ok, we have tested it for them and it works with our CHOICE of operating system too. You can take down that amazingly helpful notice now.

Step 4: After you are done applying the Crisco generously put on the diving mask and snorkel... uh never mind. :D

Get Freedomware get a life! :)

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Comments (27)

TaxAct.com

ComputerBob ·
For the past few years, I've used Linux with TaxAct.com.

Last year, I was using Debian Etch with Iceweasel. This year, I'll be using Debian Lenny with Iceweasel.

Free online Federal tax return and free electronic filing. No problems.
jdixon ·
Agreed. As noted on the other thread, we've used it the past two years with no problems. Two wingtips up.
jdixon ·
> I use an accountant.

Accountants cost money. When you don't itemize, TaxAct is a better deal.
NoDough ·
I compared TurboTax and TaxAct last year. TurboTax found me ~$350 more in refund than TaxAct.

TurboTax does have that nasty we-don't-support-your-configuration warning up front, but I ignored it and it worked just fine.
jdixon ·
> TurboTax found me ~$350 more in refund than TaxAct.

As noted above, we don't itemize, so there shouldn't be any difference for us. TurboTax probably does do a better job with complex returns, but then as Bob noted, if your taxes are that complex, you're probably better off with a real accountant.
land0 Story submitter ·
@NoDough

It is good to know that you were able to push past the middle finger screen in Turbo Tax this year.

@Bob_Robertson and @jdixon Do your accountants use Freedomware by any chance? ;) :D
Scott_Ruecker ·
Well thanks to you guys, if you have your ad blockers turned off you would see the TaxAct ads at the top of the page now..lol.
jdixon ·
> Do your accountants use Freedomware by any chance? ;) :D

We've only used an accountant one time, when my wife's mother passed away and we had to worry about estate taxes, life insurance, et. al. That would have been in 1996, so I doubt he did.
land0 Story submitter ·
@Scott_Ruecker

LOL

azerthoth ·
@Scott, 1 ad in a bazillion or so ... I think the ad blocker stays on.
NoDough ·
I'm with you, Az.
tuxchick ·
The LXer ad feeds are unobtrusive. Not like sites that make you click past full-age ads just to get to the articles, and then 80% of the screen is taken up by more ads. For shame, ye freeloaders!
NoDough ·
It's not like I would click on the ads anyway.
jezuch ·
Quoting:and then 80% of the screen is taken up by more ads.


You mean, like Garfield's site? http://kronika-paranoika.jogger.pl/files/www.garfield.com.pn... [Well, not everything's an ad, but it's a sad sight nonetheless]

Yes, TaxAct.com

macemoneta ·
I agree with the previous poster. I've been using TaxAct.com with Linux for years. It works flawlessly, is easy to file with (even when I had a business doing consulting), is very low cost for state filing, and it provides excellent communication on the progress. In addition, they've never been hit with a security breach, unlike some of the other online filing sites. I can't understand why people use anything else.
jdixon ·
> I can't understand why people use anything else.

Well, their free Windows version is nagware, but I've never had a problem telling people no when it comes to spending money. I also understand it works fine with Wine, so that's also an option.

My wife and I have used it the past two years, and the free version meets our needs. We especially like that it gives you free electronic filing. All the others we looked at changed extra for electronic filing.
Bob_Robertson ·
I certainly would use it if I were preparing my own taxes, but it's been years since mine got too complex for that. Accountants earn their money at tax time.

I'm quite pleased to see the processing moved online, instead of having it be performed locally. Not because I'm into "cloud" computing or whatever, but because I don't want to have to buy another set of software each year.
ColonelPanik ·
FreeTaxUSA.com My dear wife did federal and state today! Using Linux. Linux.
land0 Story submitter ·
@colonelPanik

Our state is not yet supported:(

Maybe next year.
Igor ·
@ColonelPanik

this site taxUsa.com is BOGUS
gus3 ·
Igor:

It's FREEtaxusa.com.
ColonelPanik ·
Received email conformation this AM that our return was accepted by the IRS.
tuxchick ·
I'm too lazy to search back through the threads and figure it out for myself...are any of you folks who are trusting your taxes to some remote online service provider the same ones who rail against "the cloud", because using "the cloud" cedes control of your data to an outside party?
NoDough ·
TC,

Yep, I would fit that description.

However, I consider the risk here somewhat mitigated as I keep copies of all my returns. I can go somewhere else whenever I please.

Of course, there's nothing to mitigate the security risks. :(
ComputerBob ·
"I'm too lazy to search back through the threads and figure it out for myself...are any of you folks who are trusting your taxes to some remote online service provider the same ones who rail against "the cloud", because using "the cloud" cedes control of your data to an outside party?"

Yup, I'm guilty, your honor.

Turbo Tax didn't work?

andrigtmiller ·
I have been using Turbo Tax on-line for many years now, and I used it last year, and it worked perfectly for me. I'm not sure why it didn't work for you, but did for me. I run Fedora, and use Firefox, and at least this combination worked for me.

In any regard, its good to hear that there is another option that works with Linux.

Thanks.

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