Comments on: TurboTax Review – 2008 Tax Software Product Review

By: Investor’s Tax Guide 2009 | Money Smart Life

Investor’s Tax Guide 2009 | Money Smart Life — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:48:06 +0000

[...] TurboTax Review – 2008 Tax Software Product Review [...]

By: Tax Forms, Tax Brackets, Tax Credits, Tax Softare, and More! | Money Smart Life

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:35:50 +0000

[...] Everyone’s tax preparation needs are different, we take a look at tax preparation services like H&R Block and Liberty Tax and whether they’re right for you. For those that prefer to file thier taxes themselves, we reviewed some of the best tax software packages and had a Turbo Tax review. [...]

By: Challee Challoo

Challee Challoo — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:59:58 +0000

Oh there’s more grief with TurboTax 2008 than you have mentioned. I have used TurboTax for over 12 years.

In this version, I am required to register or face constant nagware. I don’t like sending my personal financial information to anyone, not even Intuit. (Most identity theft comes from database theft at institutions like Intuit).

Then, even though I plunked down $100 for the software, I get a mandatory ad asking if I want to pay an additional $9.95 for an additional return! I haven’t even done one return yet, and this ad always pops up!

Updating requires updating to the current version of Microsoft .NET (which can take a day to do). Since I don’t use .NET, I had to manually update with a 71 Mb download from the Intuit website, each time.

Downloading and installing a state return is full of hassle, too.

Each year, the program is worth less and less to me. Last year there were no provision to deduct self-employed healthcare taxes and account for MSA’s. I had to manually fill out additional forms.

What will I not be able to do this year? Who knows. I got so sick of the ads and nagware I returned the program and bought TaxCut.

By: H&R Block TaxCut Software Giveaway | Money Smart Life

H&R Block TaxCut Software Giveaway | Money Smart Life — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:40:20 +0000

[...] “I’ve got people” TV ads during tax season. After I wrote about the TurboTax review a few weeks ago “the people” at H&R Block offered to giveaway a copy of the [...]

By: David

David — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:39:46 +0000

TaxCut offers you the ability to do your taxes yourself, with access to an H&R Block tax professional should you have qustions. With TaxCut you get one complementary session included with your software purchase. You also get audit protection (live assistance) when you e-file; this is not a self-service website

Speaking of e-file, with TaxCut you also get 5 free federal e-files (the maximum allowed by the IRS).

To compare TaxCut to Turbotax visit the H&R Block website:

http://digits.hrblock.com/topicsofinterest/efile/truecost.php

David James
H&R Block TaxCut

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:57:12 +0000

I have been using an accountant for about 6 years. Prior to that I did my own returns. I enter some of my info into turbo tax online last year as a test, but our taxes were pretty complex, thus the need for an accountant. However, this year they are not as complicated, however I tried the home and business version of TurboTax to pre-input my 2008 tax info. It was Very simple and I found it quite useful. For anyone who is used to doing their own tax returns and that is somewhat knowledgeable, I feel that this software can be used as a replacement or supplement to a tax advisor.

It is very simple to use and I like that you have the option to go through the “wizard” or select a category yourself.

Eric, I’m glad to hear that you are proactive with your clients. I have never been pleased with our accountant as he is never able to answer any of my questions in lamens terms and is certainly not proactive. However, we’ve been stuck with him for years because he does my wife’s business taxes.

By: The Frugal Duchess offers The Carnival of Personal Finance #183 » American Consumer News

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:24:33 +0000

[...] Money Smart Life presents TurboTax Review – 2008 Tax Software Product Review [...]

By: TurboTax 2008 - Intuit Removes Tax Preparation Fees | Money Smart Life

TurboTax 2008 - Intuit Removes Tax Preparation Fees | Money Smart Life — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:24:41 +0000

[...] TurboTax 2008 no longer has fees for preparing additional returns and is keeping the included e-File option. A reader emailed me last night with the following question: [...]

By: Eric J. Nisall

Eric J. Nisall — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:57:26 +0000

I couldn’t agree more, Ben. I call clients throughout the year to check up on their plans, and specifically starting in October I’ll call with questions to find out if there is anything that can be accelerated into the current year like a mortgage payment due in the beginning of January or a college tuition payment for the first semester of the following year (which can be paid and deducted early) or even grouping medical expenses to make them itemizable. There are so many little nuances to the tax code, and although an amended return can be filed if missed opportunities are found at a later time, it is so much easier to take care of it the first tie with the help of an experienced professional.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:42:12 +0000

Eric, I agree with you that the software is a backwards looking tool rather than a forward looking tool. TurboTax helps you identify deductions you qualify for from the previous year, it’s focus isn’t on tax planning for the next year.

There’s no reason a person couldn’t hire a tax advisor for tax planning advice and still use TurboTax to prepare their taxes. This is what I did for several years before I hired my tax planner to prepare my taxes as well.