I have been doing my own taxes for as long as I can remember.
It seems like forever ago that I took a tax preparer course with H&R Block. I went on to work for them for one tax season. It was fun. I learned I really like preparing tax returns.
Don’t judge me. 
For years I did my taxes by hand. Oh, yes, paper and pencil and tax tables and my trusty calculator. I loved every minute of it. It has something to do with the analytical problem solver in me. Figuring out how all the pieces fit and making everything look pretty.
Oh Joy! Oh Joy! Oh, Joyous Day!
Then we moved to Virginia
State taxes, huh? I was fortunate to live in wonderfully sunny South Florida. Where they tax the tourists and find no need to implement a state tax. Well, that and all the old people moving down there to escape the massive taxes of the states from whence they came would never allow such a thing to come to pass. Mine escaped New Jersey. 
After moving to Virginia I decided it was time to get with the century and do my taxes on a computer with an actual tax program. I even started electronically filing my returns. Which is just awesome! Between online filing and direct deposit I usually have my refund within 2 weeks. Woo Hoo!
I use and highly recommend TaxACT.
I have been using TaxACT since 2003. Their program is wonderfully affordable at $19.95 for Federal and State taxes. But, you don’t necessarily have to pay for the program to get top notch tax service. TaxACT offers free online filing for most everyone. Why not see if this service suites your tax preparation needs this year.
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Sounds like the world has come a long long way since Quickbooks was the diy standard.
No State income tax in Texas either. Yay, Texas!
Good luck with the numbers! I remember back when I did a lot of the books for my hubby I just loved when the numbers worked out.
Take care!
.-= Jannie Funster shares some words of wisdom ..The Sweetest Bloom =-.
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
@Jannie Funster, Numbers are awesome when to work out the way you want. I have become reliant on my tax program, but sometimes miss doing them by hand with pencil and paper. It’s a sickness I think.
[Reply]
Twitter: justcommentary
This is my first year with no corporate taxes
so I’m hoping to axe the accountant and try it on my own. That’s a lot of money better spent on other business expenses. I’ll check out TaxACT.
.-= Brian D. Hawkins shares some words of wisdom ..5 Money Making Tips For Newbies =-.
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
@Brian D. Hawkins, I’ve been using TaxACT since moving to VA [2002 tax year]. I didn’t want to mess up anything with regards to the state income tax. Since then I have passed it on to my former boss and several other co-workers who no longer pay someone to do what they can do themselves. I love saving people money!
[Reply]