Get Free Tax Advice from TurboTax Tax Professionals: Meet Three of Them
Have you heard?!? TurboTax is offering free one-on-one expert tax advice from experienced tax professionals on the phone or with live chat! Yes, free!
In additon to the ease and guidance of TurboTax, this year we are offering access to free one-to-one tax advice from qualified tax professionals so you can be even more confident you are getting your taxes done right. Available through our Ask a Tax Expert service, TurboTax tax experts will be providing personalized guidance and answers via phone or live chat free of charge.
All of our tax professionals are highly qualified CPAs, IRS Enrolled Agents, or Juris Doctors (that’s tax lawyers) with extensive knowledge in tax law and tax return preparation, unlike some national tax franchises where tax preparers can simply take a tax course before they start to prepare your taxes.
Here is a glimpse at the experienced tax professionals TurboTax has available to help you. Meet three of our many fantastic, highly qualified Ask a Tax Expert agents: Michael Stadler, Rhonda Collins, and Mark Farmer!
Meet Michael Stadler MBA, EA
Ask a Tax Expert Michael Stadler
I have a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a MBA from the University of Maryland. I am also an IRS Enrolled Agent and have been with the Ask a Tax Expert Team for 7 tax seasons. I have over 15 years tax experience preparing both business and personal tax returns.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf as well as taking long walks with my wife, Letty, and our dogs, Kaiser and Arleigh. I run about six miles each morning.
Working at TurboTax and helping customers get answers to their tax questions is probably the best position I’ve had during my career. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to apply both my education and business experience to some very complex tax situations. I’ve always enjoyed the feeling of solving customer problems as well as receiving positive feedback from customers who have appreciated my help. Moreover, I enjoy being part of a team that shares knowledge and expertise in making us all successful. This position is challenging, fulfilling and rewarding.
Meet Rhonda Collins CPA, MBA
Ask a Tax Expert Rhonda Collins
I entered the public accounting arena in 1986 as a tax professional with Ernst and Young. I have and continue to work extensively with individuals as well as small, medium, and large-sized businesses. My passions include assisting customers with income tax planning and preparation, preparation of financial statements and tax returns, and individual and business consultation as well as being a “Tax Expert” for TurboTax.
In 2008, I earned my Master of Business Administration in Finance from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. I also hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Franklin University. I became a CPA ( Certified Public Accountant) in 2005 Professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as several state CPA societies.
In addition, I am a moderator for the Becker Professional Education program providing web-based and in-house continuing professional education and I also maintain an independent tax practice.
I am very active in my community volunteering my time at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site, the Humane Society, and a local high school.
I enjoy the outdoors, traveling, and being with my family. My husband of 23 years and I have two children, Jimmy and Hunter, and a mini-farm.
Meet Mark Farmer MBA, EA
Ask a Tax Expert Mark Farmer
I’ve been involved in tax since 2002. My area of expertise has been IRS representation, Form 1040 for individuals, Schedule C for Self-Employed Individuals, 1065 for partnerships, and 1120S for S-Corporations. I am an IRS Enrolled Agent and also have my MBA.
The best part of being an Ask a Tax Expert for TurboTax is helping our customers solve their tax problems or questions. As an Ask a Tax Expert agent, I feel that I can have a direct and positive impact on our customers’ lives. We give our customers personal assurance that they will be treated respectfully and given correct tax information they seek. Connecting directly with our individual customers and solving their tax questions, for me is the best part of being an Ask a Tax Expert for TurboTax.
In my spare time, I am a father of two wonderful and busy high school students. My favorite activities are playing ice hockey, hiking, and creating something special to eat for family and friends in the kitchen.
If you are on the fence about using tax software to prepare your taxes, rest assured that TurboTax makes it easy to accurately prepare your taxes and we have added extra assurance with our qualified, Ask a Tax Expert tax professionals.
Have product questions? We have your answers.
Hi, I have a question. I just started working again in July 2011. I was off for 2 years. Anyway, at first I didn’t claim both of my kids as dependents. I claim both of them now on my weekly income, from my job. My son and daughter both work 20-40 hrs a week…both work at minimum wage. My son (21) leaves with me and my daughter (18) goes to college, has room and board…receives by the way; financial-aide … I still send her money to survive and I still pay for all expenses, for both of my children. My daughter still comes home for breaks and will probably loose her job due to the holidays coming up. Both of their jobs are at the status of part-time. My question is..to be clear, can I claim them as my dependents on my weekly check? Also, to they both just started their jobs…since I’ve been working. I find it hard to claim single and still provide for them. They take out allot of taxes, and I am also part-time. I have been doing it for a few months now. Thank-you and I look forward to your reply.
Hi Jennifer,
Yes you can still claim them as an exemption on your taxes. Whether you are paying in enough taxes depends on your other deductions. Regarding claiming them on your taxes, your son does not meet the age test if he is not a full-time student, but you may be able to claim him as a “qualifying relative” if he:
-Did not earn $3,700 in 2011
-You paid over half of his support
- Was a U.S. Citizen, National, resident alien, or Resident of Mexico or Canada
You may be able to claim your daughter as a “qualifying child” if she:
-Did not earn over $3,700 in 2011
-She did not provide over half of her own support
- Was a U.S. Citizen, National, resident alien, or Resident of Mexico or Canada
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
Any exneses associated with the cosmetic surgery, including the ones you mention, are not deductible, since you wouldn't have had those expenses if it hadn't been for the cosmetic surgery..
Hi Vishal,
I’m not sure what you’re referring to. You are correct, cosmetic surgery is not tax deductible.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
On my rental property in 2011 I replaced the driveway. Do I list this under “assets/Depreciation” or” Expenses”?
Hi John,
Yes, you would list this as an asset under land improvements and depreciate it. In TurboTax go to Wages/Income, on the 2011 income summary screen scroll down to rents and royalties, click start. TurboTax will guide you.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
Thank you for mnaikg this website great, I truly value all of the hard work that you put into this great site.
Hi Shaista,
Thank you. We’re glad you enjoy it.
Lisa Greene-Lewis
If my girlfriend & I are buying a house together do we split the deductions for mortgage interest & taxes or can only 1 claim it? Thanks
Hi Roger,
It’s up to you on how you want to handle it. You can either split the expenses or one of you can take them all. It depends on what you decide and what will give you the best outcome. You can use TurboTax Tax Caster to estimate the best alternative http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
I have filed my taxes with turbo tax. I forgot to deduct a loss from selling a utma account. I had a loss off approximately 371.36 long term. I ended up owing about 200 in taxes for the year. Do you think its worth it for me to refile to see if this will reduce my taxes further?
Hi Mario,
Although it is a small amount, it may be reported to the IRS so you may want to amend your return. If you decide not to amend your return the IRS will most likely make an adjustment to your tax return. Only amend your return if it was accepted. If it was rejected you can just go in and add the necessary information.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
T/Tax appears to not understand that the State of AZ does not tax social security. So WHY does my in progress tax return show SS income rather than just OTHER income?
My husband is a truck driver, long haul, not an Owner Operator. My question is what deductions can he take and what TurboTax do I need to get. I heard he can get so much off for every day he is out. I tried Premier business but he does not own a business.
Hi Denise,
If he does not own a business he should be able to use Deluxe. It will guide him through the deductions he is eligible for under employee business expenses if he can itemize his deductions.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
I had a pipe burst in my house which caused extensive damage to it. My insurance coverage did not cover all the bill of the recovery costs. I have been making the house payment since it happened but I am still not able to live in it. Is there a way I can use this for a deduction on my Federal tax.
Hi Donna,
Yes it would be deducted as a casualty loss if you itemize your deductions. TurboTax can guide you through entering the information.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
Turbotax–is anybody out there to explain how I contact your supposed live tax advisors?
Where are they hiding?
Hi Bernard,
Sorry you weren’t sure how to contact them. They are easily contacted through TurboTax.com. When you are in the TurboTax software there is an option to select if you want to talk to them via phone or live chat. The reason it is done this way, because when you are in the tax software you are routed to an agent according to your tax question. You are even asked what type of question you have and then you are routed. Please try and go through the software and use this link http://turbotax.intuit.com/
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
after you are finish with the taxes,is the amount taken out of your return?
Hi Tony,
If you mean the payment for the software, yes. It can be taken out of your refund with a refund transfer.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
I am working on my 2011 return. The “Federal Review” indicated that “itemized deductions” is my best option, and it says that is what I am receiving; however, there is a difference between the amounts I entered, and the amounts that I am allowed. When I check “Why the difference’, it says it is because “I am taking the Standard Deduction”. I have gone back through it, and it still says I am getting the “itemized deductions”, but I am NOT! I am getting the standard deduction. What can I do to correct this?
Hi Mary,
Sorry you are having difficulty. Your itemized deductions have to be more than the following amounts as follows:
If your filing status is… Your standard deduction is:
Single or Married filing separately $5,800
Married filing jointly or Qualifying
widow(er) with dependent child 11,600
Head of household 8,500
There are also additional amounts if you are blind or over 65. If your itemized deductions are over these amounts, I would double check the entries. Go to Deductions and Credits, click explore on my own, check your entries in the various deduction and credit categories. The program will check for additional deductions. Then yo will see “Let’s see how much money you saved click continue. The program will tell you it chose itemized deductions for you. On that screen make sure you did not chose “Change my Deduction”. If you still run into a problem are agents are available through TurboTax online.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
Hi
Can I amend a return that I already filed? I forgot to include a w2 for a company that I was employed for a day
Hi Tom,
Yes you can amend a return if you forgot a W-2, but make sure the original tax return was accepted first. If it was rejected you do not need to do an amendment.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis
How come my question was never answered? I’ve filed already, but I still would like to know why the software wasn’t allowing him to be claimed as my dependent.
Hi Katrina,
Sorry about the delay, but I am the blog manager and not our free tax advice. I can still answer your question even though I don’t have all of the details about your dependent.
I have seen many times that people miss one question in the interview and then they do not get the exemption for the dependent. I would go back through the interview and make sure you answer every question about the dependent correctly. Make sure the social security number, birth date, and any other information is correct. There are also some options to click and one of them is “none of the above”. Even if that is skipped you may not get the deduction.
If you need more help. Get into the program and go to our free live tax advice so they can speak to you and go through the tax return.
Thank you,
Lisa Greene-Lewis