Customer Reviews

Taxes For Dummies 2004

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book answered all my questions on the new 1998 tax laws. It was also a good guideline for those of us who don't understand taxes very well and are more familiar with the EZ-forms. This was my second year doing the long form with all the attached schedules and the book helped me develop an understanding of what the majority of the terms and references mean. However, since the level of information was BASIC, some of my questions were not addressed and I did not like how the book stated, "...see your tax advisor...". The whole reason I bought the book was so that I wouldn't have to have someone else do my taxes. Although there are only a few unanswered questions for my case, this still prevented me from completing them on my own. Some topics that should be addressed more thoroughly are Capital Gains, Corporate Relocations, and Itemized Deductions. At a minimum, this book should provide a complete listing of topics not covered thoroughly enough to complete the tax forms, and refer you to another book (For Dummies)instead of a legal IRS publication (or tax advisor).

Taxes for Dummies made me so much more knowledgeable about the basics about taxes. It explains the basic items in simple terms, and even expands on items if you dare to want to know more. The tips were a great help as well. I now know the difference among the 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040. I know when I can itemize and when I shouldn't. It also gave great tips on what I can deduct. If I had not read this book, I would not have known to deduct the interest paid on my student loan (and I didn't even have to use Form 1040!) It is also worth mentioning that I finished the book in one day! I highly recommend this book to people with beginner and intermediate knowledge of taxes.

This book tries it's hardest to explain taxes in an easy to understand fashion for us normal people who don't have time to look through those extremely complex IRS instructions and other gibberish they give us taxpayers. The book does a pretty decent job of it too (however to accomplish that flawlessly, in my humble opinion, is impossible). Overall, any individual or small business that needs a few clues on how to do your taxes can benefit from this book. I can't wait for the 2001 edition to come out!

I like this book a lot, because it gave me great ideas about how to structure my finances to take advantage of the tax deductions the government provides.

While the book makes it easy to read and understand your tax return, it fails in its efforts to make complicated tax issues simple. In many cases, I found more questions than answers, particularly in the parts that talk about the section 179 deduction and the modifications made after September 11, 2001.

If you are looking to be able to read and understand your tax return and to identify the tax deductions that are available, this is a great book. Even after reading it, however, you'll probably need a professional tax preparer to make sure you're doing it all correctly.

This book should be required reading for everbody--starting at the High School Level and adding it to the "reading list." This book helped me save about $20,000 over three years on my taxes. By helping you to understand the tax "system" you'll better appreciate why we pay taxes, how to pay them correctly, how to pay ONLY what you owe, and how to change your spending and savings habits to focus on the tax ramifications. It is written in PLAIN english. Simply superb. Simply the best book on the subject.

Easy-to-read, well organized, and thoroughly helpful. I recommend "Taxes 2005 for Dummies" to people who want to prepare their own taxes, either by hand or by computer. Excellent advice and strategies for dealing with the IRS.

Table of contents lists each line of the tax form, making information easy to find. Provides instructions for the 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040. (Most books just cover the 1040.) Icons indicate tax-saving tips and warnings to keep you out of trouble. The writers have done an excellent job of turning IRS technical jargon into something we can actually understand.

The only book that guides you step by step to dealing with the IRS. If you received a letter from the IRS, this book will tell you what the letter means, and how to respond to it. The authors even provide sample letters so you can respond promptly. The exceptionally well-written advice for dealing with the IRS is worth the price of the whole book.

Information on reconstructing missing tax records is superb. The authors provide excellent suggestions for substantiating cost basis, business expenses, and fair market value.

The book does not include tax forms, so you will need to obtain them elsewhere (library, post office, on the Internet).

I purchased this book because I was using TaxCut Standard, which is not very helpful at times, and I got stuck on a particular form. This book helped me to understand the Individual 1040, using language that is more clear and personable than the official IRS instructions.

Anybody who itemizes deductions, or who might do so in the future, will find _Taxes for Dummies_ extremely helpful. Plus, throughout the book, there are tips for handling personal finances. Most of these are geared toward the higher-income earner, but nearly everyone can learn from the tips about home ownership and retirement savings. The advice is sound.

I strongly recommend this book as an aid for preparing one's own 2003 taxes.

From covering how audits work and how to deal with IRS letters to completing common tax forms to year round tax planning issues, this book covers it all. Individuals as well as people who need to explain taxes to the public will find this book to be an A+ resource.

The latest edition in the TAXES FOR DUMMIES series (Eric Tyson and David J. Silverman, authors) continues in the vein of previous editions. It attempts to explain all issues regarding personal income taxes in the most light hearted manner possible, and whenever possible to avoid the more technical prose of IRS manuals and other similarly inclined tax books. The 1997 tax law changes are presented in a clear, and whenever possible, humorous manner. TAXES FOR DUMMIES, as its name implies, is aimed at novice taxpayers and preparers. As such, it does not cover everything its competitors do, but for most should get the job done. Even with the most complex of tax subject matter, it never fails to be entertaining, and is often hilarious.

This is not "For Dummies." This is for experts. Too long; too hard; written for "one guy in Western Iowa with a weird problem."

Tax Survival Kit (only $5+; not $11+ too) is a real "For Dummies" book. 100 odd pages; neat, clean, and a Teamster like me can make cents out of it.

If the book had a title such as "Taxes for Accountants" I would say great. But, it is false advertising to say it is "For Dummies."

The authors did great work, I think (to the extent I can tell). Just flying under the wrong colors as we used to say in the Army.

Don't blame the authors; talk to the publisher.