RE; taxes

Did I mention that I did my taxes with the H&R Block online program. Almost.

After I entered everything, it did a fancy accuracy check during which it displayed a magnifying glass moving over a cartoon document. Finally a target appears and an arrow lands a bullseye. Actually it did that twice.

As you know, before you can file the return, they make you pay for it. Which I did.

However, when I clicked "File" it told me that the EIN was missing from a 1099INT. After two agents tried to help me, I was unable to find a way back to edit the return. Apparently once it's finished, it's FINISHED.

When I connected with the third agent, I explained the problem, told her to wipe out the data and give me a complete refund. She complied rather quickly. But still I wasted a few hours on it.

I ended up using one of the programs recommended by the IRS: OnLine Taxes (olt.com). I had to re-enter everything of course; -- this was a beech because I had to redo the cost basis for 16 sets of shares that I sold. But I like the program so much better because it shows you the actual IRS form. Really all it does is calculate the fields from the data you enter and files it for you. There was no cost to do the Federal; 9.95 for the State. Another advantage, the site responded immediately. The email for two factor authentication arrived before I could switch to my email tab!

Strangely, the refund amounts were slightly lower than what HRB calculated. (Why, I entered the same data?) But considering that HRB changed me $149 (plus tax), I ended up with more cash at the end (assuming the return is accepted and I get the refunds).

I plan to use it again.