[COLUG] Re: Tax Prep on Linux

[Robert Foreman]

Actually, the web tax services (H&R Block at least) are OK with
Firefox. It's the OS they complain about, but like I mentioned in a
previous post you can select continue anyway and everything appears to
work OK.

>From the web site:
We've detected that you're using an operating system that is currently
not supported by TaxCut Basic.

TaxCut Basic has been optimized for the following operating systems.
Win2000, WINXP, Win Vista, MAC OS 10.2.8, MAC OS 10.3.9 and MAC OS 10.4.8

Win2000:
America Online 9.0 	
Internet Explorer 6.0 	
Mozilla FireFox 2.0 	
Netscape 8.1 	
Netscape 7.2 	

WINXP:
America Online 9.0 	
Internet Explorer 7.0 	
Internet Explorer 6.0 	
Mozilla FireFox 2.0 	
Netscape 8.1 	
Netscape 7.2 	
Safari 3.0 	

MAC OS 10.5:
America Online For MAC OSx 	
Mozilla FireFox 2.0 	
Netscape 7.2 	
Safari 3.0 	

MAC OS 10.4.10:
America Online For MAC OSx 	
Mozilla FireFox 2.0 	
Netscape 7.2 	
Safari 2.0 	

MAC OS 10.3.9:
America Online For MAC OSx 	
Mozilla FireFox 2.0 	
Netscape 7.2 	
Safari 2.0 	

Windows VISTA:
Internet Explorer 7.0

On Jan 31, 2008 9:41 PM, charles morrison <charlie2 at ledgible.com> wrote:
> Robert Foreman wrote:
> > I was wondering what people are using for Tax Prep this year.
> >
> > For years I used Intuits web based service before it stopped working
> > with Linux and Firefox. For the past few years I have used H&R Block's
> > web tax service, but now it looks like it no longer allows Linux and
> > Firefox.
> >
> > I took a quick look at Open Tax Solver
> > (http://opentaxsolver.sourceforge.net/index.html), but I'm not sure if
> > it would actually be any easier than doing them the old fashion way.
> >
> > >From the Open Tax Solver web site I discovered the Web Tax Service
> > (http://www.webtaxservice.com/services.php) link which looks
> > promising. Has anyone used this one?
> >
> > In the past I have also used the Ohio I-File service
> > (http://tax.ohio.gov/online_services/online_services_welcome.stm)
> > which worked well enough. It's pretty basic and it's free for state
> > and local school district taxes, but obviously doesn't help for
> > Federal taxes.
> >
> > My basic requirements are:
> > 1. It must work with Linux and Firefox. I do not run Windows and I
> > have absolutely no desire to purchase a copy just to do my taxes.
> > 2. I like the web based services and have generally given up on the
> > idea of ever having a usable Linux desktop based application.
> > 3. It should be reasonably priced for e-file supporting Scheduled C etc.
> > 4. Federal and State would be nice, but just Federal would be enough.
> > I could also go back to using the Ohio I-File service if I absolutely
> > had to.
> >
> >
> Has anyone tried to make Firefox report that it is IE and tried the tax
> service?
>
> There is a neat plugin for Firefox that allows you to select the browser
> reported by changing the "user agent". You can determine what is being
> reported by opening Firefox and then in the URL box type "about:" and
> Firefox will tell you what it is reporting to the web site to which you
> are browsing. To add a switcher plugin to allow you to emulate Opera,
> IE7, or Netscape, go to :
>
>  http://chrispederick.com/work/user-agent-switcher/
>
> Install the switcher. (takes about 1 minute to install) Then try the tax
> prep services and see if they work. Let us know if they do.
>
> I had to allow the above web site and then try again. Firefox blocked it
> for me and it may for you.
>
> The selection box is under the tools menu and is called "User Agent
> Switcher".
>
> Charlie Morrison
>
>
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