So I started my year end sojourn today of updating forms. I have tried all types of tax software (turbo tax, tax cut, etc...) but have always been annoyed by the forced linear progression, and forced jump points.

For several years now, I have duplicated my releveant tax forms into excel sheets, where I enter my data and the forms update 'on the fly'. I fill out a schedule C, so it enables me to see what would happen if I buy supplies one year vs another, or what the impact will be of funding a sep.

Needless to say, it's a pain in the rear, but it's worth it. Anyway, 2005 changes to the spreadsheets are finally complete -- now for the shoeboxes of receipts...