I use taxact.com. I find the price fair, and as a repeat customer for 4 years I get some benefits. They can automatically import my prior year info to speed up my data entry, they offer me coupons starting in October that make my total cost to file state and us federal about $14 US.

I LOVE the direct deposit feature. I have been pretty happy with the results. The interface is pretty up to date and easy to follow. Their tax advice section is hard to read, but I suspect that is because US tax laws are hard to read.

The downside is my taxes aren't complicated and I am usually ready to file about a month before taxact.com is ready to file for my state. I don't know who's fault that is.

Also, if I forget to save the PDF form I get when I am done, they charge like $10 US for back copies. I think I can get those back copies from the government, but I wish TaxAct.com would just remember my account and let me download them.

I suppose I'm in the other category, since I have a professional accountant do my taxes.

Here's why I use an accountant:

• I own my own business, and the accountant handles the tax filing for my business, too.
• I sometimes invest outside of tax-sheltered accounts, and there are tax consequences.
• I like the feeling that somebody else who knows this stuff inside-out is handling it.
• After both business (corporate) and personal taxes have been filed for the year, I ask my accountant how can we improve next year? Sometimes there are simple strategies I'm not aware of.
• Plus, I ask a ton of other questions. Over the years I've learned quite a bit from my accountant.

Of course, having a great accountant helps. Finding one ain't easy!

For the last decade or so I have used TurboTax, before that I did it on paper or hired someone to do it for me.

Pros:

• It is much cheaper than a tax pro.
• I like how it imports data from last year's return and lets you start from there. Saves a lot of time.
• It keeps previous year's returns online so you have a backup.
• You have the option at the end to have tax pro review your work.

Cons:

• The online backup doesn't keep your receipts or other documentation.
• There is often a delay before they get it updated for the latest rules. May delay filing.

Companies like H&R block, in my experience rarely give you the best and brightest unless you are a premium customer. I was never very happy with the results of using them.