In this case, it’s just the luck of the draw. Congratulations to the following winners of our Third Annual “Tax Filing Horror Contest” – those folks will each receive a copy of TurboTax Deluxe (online version). The winners will receive a card which includes a pre-paid access code that will allow one federal and one state preparation and e-file of TurboTax Deluxe online. Thanks to Intuit for donating the prizes.
Winners were chosen using a random integer generator. I chose 15 integers (rather than 10) to account for any winners who decline the prize or who didn’t qualify under the rules. A number that shows up more than once in the random sequence is ignored. Additionally, while entering more than once increased your odds of winning, there’s only one prize per reader.
The winning comment numbers were:
This means that the winners are:
- Abigail
- Andrew
- Colin
- Melody
- Gary
- Lori
- Mari
- Suz
- Michelle
- Nick
(For the record, #20 was Kelly – me – and I don’t qualify, so I was skipped in the sequence.)
Congrats – and I’ll be contacting each of you via email shortly.
Thanks to everyone who participated! It was lots of fun reading your stories.
If you didn’t win, keep an eye out for more great contests this tax season. A couple are already ongoing – and a new one starts this week!
Taxpayer asks:
Punched in all the numbers in TurboTax for my 2008 taxes. The first thing It asked was how much my 2008 Economic Stimulus rebate check was ($2100). Surprise, surprise, it reduced my 2008 refund by $2100. According to the IRS web site the rebate should not effect by 2008 refund plus or minus. Is this right?
Taxgirl says:
Your rebate check from last year should not result in a reduction in your tax refund. (It could, however, result in a bigger “refund” check or a reduction in federal tax owed if you have not yet received your full rebate check from last year, though only about 3% of taxpayers are affected).
I haven’t seen a version of TurboTax for this year, so I can’t comment on the specifics. However, the good folks at Intuit are in the know about the rebate, and have made accommodation in the software. If there’s a problem not related to your actual rebate check from last year or your eligibility, it may be a skipped line entry or some other confusion. I’d recommend contacting Intuit and having them take a peek. Their contact page indicates that you can call, email or chat online to get answers.
Good luck!
Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.
Have a question? Ask the taxgirl! – Now on Facebook!
It’s contestapalooza at taxgirl.com!
Here’s the run down…
- You can win free software from TurboTax by telling me your tax filing horror story. Contest ends February 28.
- Tomorrow marks the beginning of the ever popular “Win an A in Tax Law” contest for law and paralegal students. Check back tomorrow for a list of amazing prizes and details.
- NeatReceipts and taxgirl are teaming up for a “get organized” contest for small businesses this spring.
- And more. That’s right, more. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of giveaways, promos and contests all through tax season – partly because I like to give things away and partly because I wanted to use the word “smorgasbord.”
If you don’t want to miss a single event, you can subscribe to my feed via email or join that taxgirl group on Facebook!
