tax software deals

[joecool]

haven't seen one yet, so here's a start:

office max - this is the best deal for me, no bundle crap and you don't have to buy 10 antivirus programs and wait 6 months to get $200+ of rebates:

buy tax cut deluxe, get tax cut state and deduction pro for free (after some rebates). if you want ms money 2005 you can get the deluxe version for $50 - $40 rebate, but you don't have to get the other software (tax cut state, deduction pro) to qualify for the money rebate.

what's your favorite deal?

 

[grandeCC]

"TAX cut" may want your $$$$ for re-installation following a hard disk failure.

 

[Mercmaster]

Damn, I almost forgot that time of the year is coming up.

First time for me to do a 1040 long form, any recommendations on which software is best for that route?

I've heard good and bad about Taxcut and Turbotax any recommedations about either from users that's tried them?


Thanks,
MM

 

[Drakkon]

http://www.phoenix360.com/tech...index2002.asp?did=1742 - Which software best for you?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1731760,00.asp - PCMag's reviews

 

[Mercmaster]

Thanks for the links Drakkon, looks like Turbotax comes pretty highly recommended.

MM

 

[dabuddha]

I used turbo tax last year to do 1 joint federal filing and 3 state filings and it worked out really well. I'll definitely be buying turbo tax again this year.

 

[joecool]

i used to use turbo tax (i'm a loooooong time quicken user) but finally moved to tax cut several years back. they really are about the same (they do the same after all) and taxcut is quite a bit cheaper - or at least it was several years ago. the deluxe version is $20 ar and includes state, filing, and deduction pro, which helps you figure out the value of items you've donated to charity. all that stuff is extra with turbo tax and turbo tax costs more. the integration with quicken really doesn't matter - it was always so buggy that i had to double check all the numbers anyway, which cancelled out any time saved by importing them.

my two bits,

joe

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: grandeCC
"TAX cut" may want your $$$$ for re-installation following a hard disk failure.

don't know where you get this from, i've been using it for several years and never had a problem - i have the original cd, just do a reinstall whenever i have to reinstall windows. works like a charm.

 

[grandeCC]

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: grandeCC
"TAX cut" may want your $$$$ for re-installation following a hard disk failure.

don't know where you get this from, i've been using it for several years and never had a problem - i have the original cd, just do a reinstall whenever i have to reinstall windows. works like a charm.

I had this problem with the 2003 software when I've tried to install on the 2nd machine after my 1st was dead.

 

[FrankSchwab]

It's gonna take awhile for me to forgive intuit for their TurboTax/Macrovision/Safecast/C-Dilla fiasco of a couple of years ago. Silently installing software on my machine that doesn't uninstall is a no-no; when the software is buggy enough to affect the operation of my machine, they don't get my money anymore.

Intuit is about the same location on my list of trusted vendors as Symantec. Frankly, I'd rather run unknown binaries posted to Usenet groups than software from either of these two companies.

/frank

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: FrankSchwab
Intuit is about the same location on my list of trusted vendors as Symantec. Frankly, I'd rather run unknown binaries posted to Usenet groups than software from either of these two companies.

/frank

ha, good one! i'd have to say i largely agree. that's why i want money 05 - i'm tired of intuit and want to give another proggy a try. sadly while money 04 looked great i hear where money 05 is a step backwards in some ways. oh, well, still worth trying out for $10.

 

[woodie1]

I get Turbo Tax free through Vanguard since I have my IRAs there. I don't have to install any software on my PC either.

 

[kuangs168]

which is easier to understand, i hate reading the long complex instructions

 

[gpgofast]

I thoght the Turbotax from Vanguard was half off their normal price(once you pay for electronic filing)? At least it is for me with my 401k's there. Still a good deal and you don't have to install any software and in my case, I can do it from work and get paid to do my taxes!!!GP

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: FrankSchwab
It's gonna take awhile for me to forgive intuit for their TurboTax/Macrovision/Safecast/C-Dilla fiasco of a couple of years ago. Silently installing software on my machine that doesn't uninstall is a no-no; when the software is buggy enough to affect the operation of my machine, they don't get my money anymore.

Intuit is about the same location on my list of trusted vendors as Symantec. Frankly, I'd rather run unknown binaries posted to Usenet groups than software from either of these two companies.

/frank

Me too. I used TurboTax for years, since back when it was only available on floppies. After their C-Dilla malware fiasco, I switched to Tax Cut and will never go back. I'm not giving my hard-earned money to greedy companies who are so openly hostile to their customers.

 

[Kwad Guy]

I also switched from being a long-time TurboTax user to Taxcut after the C-Dilla issue a couple of years ago. I haven't seen any adverse affects, and it's cheaper. So it'll be Taxcut for me again this year. TurboTax blew it BIG TIME with that mistake, I think...

Kwad

 

[timswim78]

TAXACT.com
Doing your 1040 is free, but you have to pay if you want to e-file. I prefer to print out my forms and mail them in.
I think that the state add on is about $10.

 

[crm98]

I've heard good and bad about Taxcut and Turbotax any recommedations about either from users that's tried them?

I've used TurboTax for the last 4 years with great success.

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: crm98

I've heard good and bad about Taxcut and Turbotax any recommedations about either from users that's tried them?

I've used TurboTax for the last 4 years with great success.

both proggies are good, my observation is that over the years they have converged on each other, each adopting the more desirable features of the other. at this point there are honestly very few differences between the two.

that said, i prefer tax cut - it's cheaper and has some great deals on companion programs - tax cut state and deduction pro - that are FAR. it also offers FAR electronic filing. and as many here have pointed out intuit is not a very good company in terms of customer support. i am a long time quicken users - since the DOS versions! - and i'll be moving to ms money this year due to many frustrations with intuit.

good luck!

joe

 

[harrkev]

Originally posted by: timswim78
TAXACT.com
Doing your 1040 is free, but you have to pay if you want to e-file. I prefer to print out my forms and mail them in.
I think that the state add on is about $10.

I second this opinion. The Deluxe version is $12.95, whcih includes one free e-filing. No rebates, no BS. Since you download, no trips to the store, no waiting in line.

I have used them for two years in a row (ever since that year that-company-which-shall-remain-nameless turned their software into "screw-your-computer ware"). I have had no complaints and I love it. Of course, being a download, you do not get fancy quicktime or .AVI videos of some guy telling you the tax rules, but I can live without it.

Disclosure: I live in a state without income tax, so I do not have to use any state software. I obviously cannot comment on the ability of this program to handle state taxes.

 

[AmigaMan]

I used TurboTax last year but TaxCut the year before. Comparing the two, I like TurboTax better because of the improved and more helpful interface. To me TaxCut assumed I knew a lot about my tax situation than I really did. TurboTax is more hand-holding and friendly. This is all IMO though. I'll probably get TurboTax again this year since they sent me some coupons and stuff.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: harrkev

Originally posted by: timswim78
TAXACT.com
Doing your 1040 is free, but you have to pay if you want to e-file. I prefer to print out my forms and mail them in.
I think that the state add on is about $10.

I second this opinion. The Deluxe version is $12.95, whcih includes one free e-filing. No rebates, no BS. Since you download, no trips to the store, no waiting in line.

I have used them for two years in a row (ever since that year that-company-which-shall-remain-nameless turned their software into "screw-your-computer ware"). I have had no complaints and I love it. Of course, being a download, you do not get fancy quicktime or .AVI videos of some guy telling you the tax rules, but I can live without it.

Disclosure: I live in a state without income tax, so I do not have to use any state software. I obviously cannot comment on the ability of this program to handle state taxes.

I third taxact.com. Plus the opinions of harrkev are the same as mine. When a company sneaks crap into their software, I'll never buy from them again. (ala Quicken, Real, and recently a Lexmark printer driver)

 

[joecool]

thanks for the info on taxact guys. sounds good to me - go deluxe, pay only $13 up front, and get free efiling. no mirs - yes! don't really need the state verion anyway - colorado state taxes are VERY simple - i only get it 'cause it's free and integrated with the federal stuff. but for the saved hassle of no mir i'll give taxact a try.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: gpgofast
I thoght the Turbotax from Vanguard was half off their normal price(once you pay for electronic filing)? At least it is for me with my 401k's there. Still a good deal and you don't have to install any software and in my case, I can do it from work and get paid to do my taxes!!!GP

The value of my deposits make it free to me and I also do my kids....you'll get there in time.

 

[Thump553]

I've used both in the past, and they are about the same. I prefer Tax Cut because I'm still steamed about the copy protection TurboTax imposed a few years back.

Generally speaking, I usually wait until February or so to buy my tax software. I've been doing this for years, and I can't remember the last time my tax software was anything but free after rebate.