Reviews (2)

Rebate-debate
Getting a rebate is nearly the toughest thing I've done this year; and I don't have it yet!

How about just selling your product at a reasonable rate and forget the Houdini stuff with the right piece of the box which is apt to get lost on your end, anyway!!

Turbo Tax Business or bust!
This will be my second year using Turbo Tax products.We used to pay $... or more per year to have a fellow use these same programs for us!Now, with the easy, step-by-step, line-by-line format, I can do all our accounting and bookkeeping with confidence.I especially appreciate how the Business program alerts you to possible red flags that the IRS may audit you for.Whew!Glad to have someone guiding me so personally along the way.It really feels like you have your own personal tax consultant standing right next to you.How easy is that!? ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Complete your state tax returns quickly and easily with TurboTax State. This easy-to-use program works with TurboTax 1040 programs to transfer your federal data to your TurboTax State return. An interactive interview tool asks you questions, places your answers directly onto state-approved forms, and automatically performs all calculations for you. There's also a built-in feature to check your return for errors and omissions to help ensure that it is accurate and complete. State-tax electronic filing is available for 41 states plus Washington, D.C., so you can get your refund faster.

Note: TurboTax State is for use with TurboTax, TurboTax Deluxe, TurboTax Premier, or TurboTax Home & Business. This version is for California state taxes only. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tax returns made less taxing
Turbo Tax state is an essential addendum to the federal version. With the same ease of use -- in Q & A format -- as Turbo Tax, Turbo Tax state transfers your data from your federal return to the state.It takes the mental taxation of the process and turns it into a few easy keystrokes.

Audit advice, deductions and charitable contributions are also an option when you do your state taxes with TT state.

My one complaint is that there is an electronic filing fee -- why isn't this free? If Turbo Tax can file my return online, why can't I do the same thing -- by emailing or transmitting an electronic file through my franchise tax board? ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Taxpayers who have progressed beyond the 1040EZ know that money can'tbuy happiness until after April 15. TurboTax 2001 Deluxe can't deliverhappiness, but it can make federal tax preparation a lot easier for just abouteveryone.

Installation of TurboTax Deluxe is quick, and a linked series of wizards helpsusers compile all the information they need. Back-and-forth navigation issimple; the software keeps track of which steps have been skipped and returns asnecessary. Users who must pay state taxes need only type in their informationonce if they use a TurboTax state package (free after rebate with TurboTaxDeluxe, Premier, or Home & Business).

First-time users would be well-advised to ask a knowledgeable friend to helpout. Although much of the hard work is done automatically, some decisions arefar from intuitive and may require some detective work. The copious online helpfunctions are both smart (they often answer questions before they're asked) andthorough; this goes a long way toward easing users' troubled minds. Data entryis relatively painless, especially for returning users, who can port in lastyear's information and edit as needed. When it's all over, every form is printedout complete with everything but signatures, or users can opt for easyelectronic filing.

New features such as the Tax Law Advisor will not only help with your 2001return but help you plan for the future as well. And everyone knows thatplanning ahead is always a good investment. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Spyware
Easy to use (at least as far as the IRS will allow taxes to be easy), well done overall.
However, anti-piracy components definetly put it in the class of spyware. Not sure if I can trust my confidential tax info to them anymore, as they did not ask permission to install unwanted components, yet they have to be there for the software to work.

As Usual
Good grief, this is the easiest software to perform tax preparation!This year, TY2002, is my first year to itemize.I will update my feedback for this program when I have completed this in early January.Intuit, you all have put together a great program for those of us who are no where near the tax efficiency level of a CPA.

TurboTax = Reload Operating system
I've used TT for several years and though somewhat buggy; I've been able to work my way through the problems.I have rental properties and have to fill out several schedules.

TT never correctly calculates "Credit to Other Taxing Juristdictions"; I usually end up forcing the correct entries in the Forms view. If you have this credit; you also can't file your state return electronically.

For 2001, TT insistence on loading their version of IE 5.5 gave me grief from the start.One touch updates and downloads of the State product left me on the phone for hours.Finally the tech emailed me an external link to download from.It so screwed up my system that I ended up reformatting my hard disk and reloading all my programs.
Like at tax time I needed another headache!

Thought it was great, but very disappointed in results!!!
My fiance and I used Turbo Tax to submit our Federal and multiple state returns for 2001.It was very easy to use and we were happy with the results when we sent them in.However, we were not happy that Turbo Tax had messed up our returns!Even though we attempted to download all the updates that it constantly requests you to do (this is very annoying if your internet connection is slow, especially and because the website was always busy and wouldn't let me download anyway).Either way, we were lucky that the IRS corrected the amount due for us, we were due a much larger refund it turned out!After seeing the problem it made us very nervous about all of our forms, but it was too late.I would not trust this product to correctly submit my tax forms again nor to receive the highest refund (seeing as it couldn't manage that).The ridiculous thing was that it was a very simple error but it caused a ripple effect by not giving us credit for the change in income tax rates that occured during 2001.

Nothing's error-poof
Turbo Tax is a great program, but it does have a error in it.It has to do with the rate reduction tax.It will ask if the taxpayer received tax rebate check, then the amount.When it is inputted in ,it recaluates to a rate reduction credit, and is put on your 1040 LINE 47 OF THE LONG FORM.In reality it should havenot ask this question.The tax rebate checks are tax free and the tax payer should not have been bother with this questions.Line 47 should be checked and nothing should be entered.you should still know your basics when it comes to CREDITS and DEDUCTIONS. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Quicken TurboTax guides users through their returns step by step and is updated with the latest tax laws. EasyStep Interview asks easy-to-understand questions and places answers directly onto IRS-approved forms. It double-checks for errors and overlooked deductions and points out entries that might flag an audit. It also prints IRS-approved forms on plain paper or files returns electronically to get refunds faster.

This version is revised and updated with the latest tax law changes to guide users through their taxes and help take advantage of more deductions. You can import information from last year's tax return so you don't need to reenter data. The Tax Advisor gives custom money-saving tax advice while completing the return. Receive a tax report in the form of a customized, printable action plan you can refer to all year to save money on next year's taxes.

The Refund Monitor constantly displays refund amounts or taxes due, and updates itself automatically while entering new information. To see a snapshot of taxable income and deductions in addition to the user's bottom line, double-click on the Refund Monitor and view the Tax Summary. The new TurboTax features a streamlined interface that puts everything in plain sight and makes doing taxes easier than ever. ... Read more

Features

• America's #1 Tax Software
• Get the deductions you deserve
• Up to date on tax laws

Reviews (30)

Overpriced junk made even worse this year!
This software, which is already overpriced junk... historically, now leads the pack for the 2003 award for Most Obnoxious Software with the addition of "mother-may-I" copy protection (can't use it without Intuit's express permission on a single machine) and installation of admitted spyware ("C-Dilla" aka, "SafeCast") that stays even when TurboTax is uninstalled!Although the Mac version doesn't have these issues, Intuit charges double for that luxury...

Overpriced junk made even worse this year!
This software, which is already overpriced junk (I feel even sorrier for Mac-users who get ripped for double the price @ [...]) historically, now leads the pack for the 2003 award for Most Obnoxious Software with the addition of "mother-may-I" copy protection (can't use it without Intuit's express permission on a single machine) and installation of admitted spyware ("C-Dilla" aka, "SafeCast") that stays even when TurboTax is uninstalled!Although the Mac version doesn't have these issues, Intuit charges double for that luxury!

Rats!
I've used Turbo Tax for 7 years, but 2001 was probably the last.
I'd carefully kept Internet Explorer off my computer - no easy feat!Then, I install TurboTax 2001 and it installs IE!No asking if I wanted it, no "cancel" button, just a program I didn't want.(Which incidentally [fouled] up my internet connection.)
But that's not all. While running, Turbo Tax splashes advertisements for all kinds of garbage on the screen.I don't know about you, but I find doing taxes unpleasant enough without having to plow through supurflous adverts.
Maybe they should charge a little more up front and quit the bogus hucksterism.

the Turbo Tax Download
This is the first time I have used TurboTax. I had trouble with Mutual Funds and went to a professional tax preparer for the last three years. I was anticipating difficulty with it and had some anxious moments, but it turned out beautifully. I got more money back in refunds than I ever had. I felt I had to sign up for Audit Protection because TurboTax sent so much back. The one problem I had was that I didn't know where to enter charitable donations.

TurboTax - more is less
For the third consecutive year, I purchased TurboTax for my family tax software.As it brings forward much of the data from the previous year, it makes data entry quicker, certainly a good move towards guaranteeing repeat business, and th single reason I purchased TurboTax rather than a competitive product.

That said, my beef with the latest, Year 2001 version, has to do with its inclusion of many screens of video files discussing the latest tax laws and implications for all.Two points here - from the data taken from my income status, it is clear that parts of the tax laws do not apply to me.Does TurboTax then skip these sections?Not on your life; I should just be impressed that software created to bring organization from chaos can do so, and click through all the excess.

Oh by the way, save your file often.My computer locked up twice on me (PIII 550 machine operating on Win98) attributed by microsoft explorer as due to the video, though none were being asked to run at the time.

I buy tax software to simplify a distasteful process.Lately, TurboTax is bringing unneeded complexity back to the process. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get everything for your sole proprietorship and personal taxes in one package. TurboTax Home & Business guides you through your return and has expert tax advice and guidance especially for small businesses. It includes a combination of features to help you take advantage of new tax laws. It comes complete with official IRS business publications, Tax Savvy for Your Small Business, Depreciation Expert, and Business Tax Planner. Business Deduction Finder and Home Office Expert help ensure you get every deduction to which your business is entitled. You can also prepare forms 1099-MISC and W-2 for contractors and employees.

TurboTax Home & Business also contains everything for your personal taxes so you can take advantage of the new tax laws. The new Tax Law Advisor points out ways that the new tax laws affect your taxes. New tax-slashing tools include 401(k) Maximizer, Year-to-Year Deduction Manager, and 10-Year Tax Forecaster. It also helps you manage the tax impact of your investments with extra guidance for capital gains and losses. And if you own rental properties, take advantage of new Deduction Finder and Audit Alerts designed specifically for rental property owners. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Turbo Tax
I rate a one because you can not use this product unless you are an administrator. I do not want to give admin rights to my users.How can I use this product without giving everyone admin rithgs.

Turbo Tax Delux - What is Intuit Trying to do?
I loaded Turbo Tax Delux on to my Windows 2000 operating system, using Administrator rights, which is the normal way of installing all software.However, unlike all other software, Turbo Tax will not allow a user without Administrator rights run the program, which is unlike any other program I use.When I contacted Intuit tech support the best explanation they could give is it provides better data security when the user has Administrator rights.I don't believe it, furthermore, running the computer with Administrator rights makes it more vulnerable to hacking.Intuit is trying to do something with the computer other programs are not and I don't know what it is.Users beware.

Software Version of "Tax for Dummies"
So far, we don't need an accountant.TurboTax asks every question you can imagine, and then some.If you have the numbers, TurboTax does the rest.If your financial life is not very involved, this is right for you.Plus, e-filing is great when you are receiving a refund.

Would not run
I have used Intuit products for almost 20 years and never really had any problems, until now.This product would not load properly, would not run after loading under the system administrator, and tech support was a waste of time.If you are running XP, I would not count on this program this close to the tax deadline.

Glad I purchased Turbo Tax Home and Business
I am glad that I purchased this product.It was easy to install and easy to use.I saved our family over $500 in tax preparation fees by using this product.We have a quarter horse business and the program worked beautifully for it.I also filed on line which was a breeze. I'll purchase it again in the following years. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Complete your state tax returns quickly and easily with TurboTax State. This easy-to-use program works with TurboTax 1040 programs to transfer your federal data to your TurboTax State return. An interactive interview tool asks you questions, places your answers directly onto state-approved forms, and automatically performs all calculations for you. Plus, there's a built-in feature to check your return for errors and omissions to help ensure that it is accurate and complete. State-tax electronic filing is available for 41 states plus Washington, D.C., so you can get your refund faster.

Note: TurboTax State is for use with TurboTax, TurboTax Deluxe, TurboTax Premier, or TurboTax Home & Business. This version is for all states except California. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Support is woefully inadequate
I made a mistake by inputting my federal withholding amount into
my state withholding amount. I was able to work around and get the program to apparently "correct" my state withholding amount. However, when trying to e-file, the program insists there is an error in the federal program, because I overrode the incorrect state withholding amount.
Now the program will not let me e-file either of my returns and I'm left to mail in paper copies. There is no way I've found to reach a human being to correct the situation; if there is a way to correct it. Evidently if you pay for your returns, in order to get draft printouts, you cannot correct your W-2 input data.

You Can Not Electroncially File More Than One State Return
If you think you can file more than one state return electronically think again.Intuit only allows one federal and one state return per social security number.Any extra returns must be MAILED in.

Free with turbo tax-and worth it
I have used both this product and TaxCut by HRBlock/Kiplinger. They are essentially the same, but I give the edge to Quicken and Turbo Tax.
In my mind the best way to think of tax software is that it is just a program that will ask you some questions (ex. about your w-2 or mortgage interest) and then fill out your tax return and do the math. If you then choose you can use the program to e-file your return (great feature). The software works, is very much bug free and can make some complicated things easier to handle.
I have used the program to prepare three returns this year.
1) with a straight w2, the only deduction was student loan interest. This was very simple and was done within a half an hour. I printed out a few copies (no need for a copier) and that was it.
2) A W-2 with many deductions-medical, mortgage, real estate taxes, Brokerage statements from three firms. Estimated tax payments. AND an IRA conversion to a ROTH.
I was very happy to be able to download the statements directly from Vanguard and CSFB Direct. It saved me a lot of data entry (your still need to enter your basis), and it helped me handle the Roth conversion easily.
3) A w-2 with a schedule C for a sole propritorship. I imported directly from Quickbooks. I encountered only a few problems which were caused by misclassifications in Quickbooks-they were not the fault of Turbo Tax.
In all I am very satisfied. I know I saved hundreds of dollars by not using an accountant. I am pretty sophisticated about finincial matters but I was still suprised by how easily the program handled my "complex" situations--they turned out not to be.

Just a warning-don't forget to save the Proof of purchase from you your box. Last year I forgot and I couldn't get my rebate. Also don't forget to get the State edition too. And send in your refund form for e-filing right away-they only give you 30 days

Free with turbo tax-and worth it
I have used both this product and TaxCut by HRBlock/Kiplinger. They are essentially the same, but I give the edge to Quicken and Turbo Tax.
In my mind the best way to think of tax software is that it is just a program that will ask you some questions (ex. about your w-2 or mortgage interest) and then fill out your tax return and do the math. If you then choose you can use the program to e-file your return (great feature). The software works, is very much bug free and can make some complicated things easier to handle.
I have used the program to prepare three returns this year.
1) with a straight w2, the only deduction was student loan interest. This was very simple and was done within a half an hour. I printed out a few copies (no need for a copier) and that was it.
2) A W-2 with many deductions-medical, mortgage, real estate taxes, Brokerage statements from three firms. Estimated tax payments. AND an IRA conversion to a ROTH.
I was very happy to be able to download the statements directly from Vanguard and CSFB Direct. It saved me a lot of data entry (your still need to enter your basis), and it helped me handle the Roth conversion easily.
3) A w-2 with a schedule C for a sole propritorship. I imported directly from Quickbooks. I encountered only a few problems which were caused by misclassifications in Quickbooks-they were not the fault of Turbo Tax.
In all I am very satisfied. I know I saved hundreds of dollars by not using an accountant. I am pretty sophisticated about finincial matters but I was still suprised by how easily the program handled my "complex" situations--they turned out not to be.

Just a warning-don't forget to save the Proof of purchase from you your box. Last year I forgot and I couldn't get my rebate. Also don't forget to get the State edition too. And send in your refund form for e-filing right away-they only give you 30 days

Be very careful -- program is glitchy!
CALL YOUR LOCAL TAX DEPARTMENT IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ERROR MESSAGES, INSTEAD OF CALLING INTUIT TECH SUPPORT!

I live in New Jersey and worked in New York.Like many people here, I was forced to collect unemployment after 9/11.

TurboTax State took my NY total income and tried to use it in my NJ return which created errors.Then the real nightmare began:

Intuit has an online chat tech support.After 45 minutes of very slow communication, they referred me to phone support.To do this, you need to register with Intuit on-line and they give you a pin number and a phone number to call.The phone number is in Arizona!Over an hour after I called, tech support said they couldn't fix it either and told me to call my local tax office.

NJ tax office gave me a fix for the program immediately:New York State taxes unemployment benefits -- New Jersey doesn't and TurboTax State doesn't take that into account.

Including the phone calls, I paid more for Turbo Tax than I would have paid to my accountant.The TurboTax customer service rep said I would be reimbursed for part of my phone bill -- we'll see. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Taxpayers who have progressed beyond the 1040EZ know that money can'tbuy happiness until after April 15. TurboTax 2001 Premier can't deliverhappiness, but it can make federal tax preparation a lot easier for just abouteveryone.

Installation of TurboTax Premier is quick, and a linked series of wizards helpsusers compile all the information they need. Back-and-forth navigation issimple; the software keeps track of which steps have been skipped and returns asnecessary. Users who must pay state taxes need only type in their informationonce if they use a TurboTax state package (free after rebate with TurboTaxDeluxe, Premier, or Home & Business).

First-time users would be well-advised to ask a knowledgeable friend to helpout. Although much of the hard work is done automatically, some decisions arefar from intuitive and may require some detective work. The copious online helpfunctions are both smart (they often answer questions before they're asked) andthorough; this goes a long way toward easing users' troubled minds. Data entryis relatively painless, especially for returning users, who can port in lastyear's information and edit as needed. When it's all over, every form is printedout complete with everything but signatures, or users can opt for easyelectronic filing.

If you own rental property or are a big investor, TurboTax Premier is probablyyour best option when it comes to tax prep software. Extra guidance forinvestors helps you handle capital gains and losses, while the Deduction Finderand new Audit Alerts are geared toward property owners who file Schedule E. This beefed-up version of TurboTax also includes an Office Expense Advisor forthose who work out of a home office.

New features such as the 401(k) Maximizer help balance retirement investmentsand take-home pay so well that some users will find that their savings pays forthe software many times over. The savings in stress and time are also well worthit for the rest of us. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Tax Software for the Do-It-Yourselfer
I have used Turbo Tax for at least ten years and it gets better every year.Once you start using it, you will never have to enter your personal information again.It reads last year's file and enters all the tedious name, address, SS# and other repetitive data automatically.You have only to verify that it is still correct.

If you have rental property or other depreciating assets, those balances are also brought forward to the next year's return.For a Schedule C business, this is hard to top, carrying forward last year's business info.It also picks up all the previous year's W-2s and 1099s so you only have to fill in the new numbers.One helpful hint - try to have all your income and expense data handy when you start working, it will make the process go more quickly.

Although I never use the data import function from Quicken, I did create categories in Quicken that corrolate to the Schedule C categories on turbo tax.If you are meticulous about categorizing all your transactions in every account you use in Quicken, the import function will work quite well.I cross check a categorized report from Quicken and the enter the totals manually.

There are two approaches to use: the interview, which asks you questions about your sources of income and picks the forms you need, helping you fill them out by answering questions; and the forms method, which lets you just pick the forms you need and fill them out like they were in a typwriter.I prefer the interview method in general, but it is easy to toggle back and forth if you suddenly find a receipt for something you should have entered earlier.There is also a progress checklist that you can refer to to see where you are in the overall process.

One step that you should always do at the end is the error check routine.This will pickup any missing answers, even if they have no calculated value.This helps ensure an error-free return when you go to print or send it.You can file electronically and pay your taxes with a credit card this year.

The tax reference materials are great.You can look up the code and interpretations with court precidents to help guide you with expenses, deductions and the like.There are a few less-common forms missing from the software, but links to download them are available.I had poor luck finding the one I needed at Intuit, but it was, of course at the IRS site.

I can do a 30 page return in several hours, rather than the several days it took me to do it with paper, pencil and calculator in the pre-tax-software era.The faster you get it done, the more time you'll have to cry before you send another check to the government.

Big Problems In TurboTax Land
I found a serious problem in one of the forms in TurboTax.This problem would not allow me to complete my return.I verified the problem using Lasser's Tax book and also the IRS.Yet when I informed the maker's of TurboTax about the problem, they repeatedly refused to acknowledge it and, of course, would not agree to fix it.Wow!What an attitude.
This makes me doubt all of the calculations in TurboTax, and gives a reliability rating from me of zero.
In addition, there are several other problems as soon as one tries anything out of the ordinary.Here are some details of two of many problems in the program:
*On Form 8824, using an example straight out of Lasser's, if you enter the date 5/7/01 on line 4 and then enter the date 7/1/01 on line 5, the program will give you an error, saying that more than 45 days have elapsed.This is WRONG: exactly 45 days have elapsed, and this is confirmed by the example given in Lasser's.
*If you have a 1031 exchange, it is impossible to get the program to correctly calculate the appropriate depreciation for the new property in 2001.The program suggests you split the new property into two properties for the purpose of depreciation. This won't work because it can not deal with the fact that the relinquished property started depreciating long before the sale date, but only depreciation starting at the sale date counts for this calculation. Sound complicated? It is, and this is just what a decent program should help you with.Who needs a program for the simple stuff?
If you have anything but the simplest of returns, forget this software.

Like having a financial advisor on call 24/7
It is just NOT possible to keep up with tax law changes and the intricacies of deductions without some kind of software. I've tried several competing tax softwares and I have definitely settled on TurboTax. Not only does it link seamlessly with Quicken, but it has a lot of extras that are extremely valuable.

Even if you have a tax accountant or tax preparer, TurboTax helps you understand your tax situation and organize your paperwork to make the most of the preparer's time (time IS money, after all.) And, since most of us have to manage our own retirement funds, the Premier edition has some incredibly useful tools to forecast tax and investment outcome not only this year, but down the road.

If you own rental property or take special deductions, the deluxe version allows you to run a "what-if" to see how robust your deduction is.

The premier version has much more help for the investor. Since most of us must manage our 401(k), the Maximizer, Year-to-Year Deduction Manager, and 10-Year Tax Forecaster are quite helpful--especially if you are nearing retirement age in a decade or less. It also helps you reduce the tax impact of your investments with vital information about capital gains and losses.

I think this is the best version yet. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

TurboTax Business is designed specifically for businesses in Corporation, S-Corporation, Partnership (up to 100 partners), LLC, and Estate and Trust status. TurboTax Business delivers everything you need to prepare your business taxes while maximizing tax-saving opportunities. The EasyStep Interview process guides you through your business tax return step-by-step and places your answers in IRS-approved forms. Plus, you can reference the extensive business tax library, get expert advice, discover tax-saving tips, and more.

Use Deduction Finder to take advantage of the latest tax laws to optimize savings. Audit flags point out business-specific audit items before the IRS does. The Depreciation Expert tool automatically chooses the most advantageous depreciation method for your assets. Create a tax-savings action plan and get a customized report you can print and follow throughout the year to make important decisions.

TurboTax will instantly and seamlessly import multiple QuickBooks data files (for QuickBooks 2001 or later), making tax filing even easier and reducing repetitive entry. Get access to a wealth of business extras, including video tax advice from top financial experts, Fred Daily's Tax Savvy for Small Business, an onscreen tax guide, and the most popular IRS tax publications.

All federal versions of TurboTax desktop products for Windows include product activation to better ensure customers use the product in accordance with the License Agreement. An independent test of product activation technology in Intuit Inc.'s TurboTax desktop software products confirms the technology does not negatively impact computer performance or compromise customer privacy. The findings of the tests, performed by PCTest Corporation, an independent software-testing lab can be found at http://www.pctest.com/intuit/index.htm. You can still prepare multiple returns from one computer, and install and prepare your return on multiple computers. To fully uninstall the the SafeCast/C-Dilla element of TurboTax, you m ust download the free uninstall application at the TurboTax Support website. For additional information about product activation, go to http://www.turbotaxsupport.com and refer to TurboTax Product Activation in the News and Tips section. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

They'll take any chance to screw you out of money
I've been a TurboTax user for many years for both business and personal. This year, they shipped their business CD in a case with a triple tab going through the hole in the middle of the CD. The tabs are so small, that it is nearly impossible for a person with big hands (like myself) to press all three at once and at the same time lift the CD out of the case. When I did, the CD cracked...

Mean & Nasty
I have been a loyal user of Turbotax for many years, business and deluxe. This year, after installation of both products, my hard drive crashed, and trying to get my products re-"activated", involved a lot (and I mean a lot) of useless (and I mean useless) internet chat-time, and at least three wait-on-the-phone calls (where you have to have a pin to call)(which they DON'T tell you they're banging you for $$$ each), and finally get them to send me replacement CD's - which don't work either, and I gave up...

Excellent Software, Even Saves Tax Returns as PDF File
Excellent software, had no problems installing or using the software. Sure the new version does require an activation code but so do many other packages due to unauthorized sharing of the software, and you can get the code via phone if you do not have internet access. All in all an excellent package. If you want to print on another computer just save the return as an adobe acrobat PDF (PDF format is built into software now) and print it.

Turbo Tax Business - OK
I have been a user of Inutit products since quicken version 1.0.
I have been using their tax products for several years and am fairly literate with financials and accounting.
After reading the reviews posted on Amazon and elsewhere, I initially became quite concerned. I did further research, and learned all was not that bad.
I purchased and installed Turbo Tax for Business. Installation was seemless on a P4 1.5gz running XP Professional with a Lynksys firewall, Norton Internet Security and AntiVirus enabled.
Import of 2001 tax return perfect. Minor inconvenience because I use Quickbooks 2000, could not import financial data. Printed out income statement and balance sheet and manully entered data.
Both Federal and state and K1's generated correctly.
I did not use tech suppport - no idea of response time nor level of service.
Their copy protection scheme is still a little unclear to me, although everything I read indicated no compromise or breach in security of my data.
I am comfortable recommending the product.

Intuit has lousy support....
I quite frankly can't express in 1,000 words
how poor the customer service at intuit is.
It is the lousiest, and it costs you money.
I've asked and even demanded refunds (and done
all the required paperwork) and still no satisfaction
here. Why are we buying TurboTax anyhow when
H&R Block is the biggest and best Tax Advising company
around. I'll never buy ANY Intuit Product again. ... Read more

Features

• Tax software for corporations and partnerships guides users through IRS returns
• Interview-based wizard system
• Up-to-date with latest federal tax law
• Checks math and audit flags
• Helps with deductions, depreciations and employee taxes

Reviews (6)

Worth it!
The $100 investment in worth it! We've had to pay our tax preparer over $800 to calculate our taxes this year. We keep good records and decided to find out how close we would come to his calculations by doing it ourselves with Turbotax Business. Let's just say that next year we'll be doing our taxes ourselves.

A sink hole of time and worse than useless
This program proposes to assist you with filing corporate (including "S" corp) taxes.

It deserves a rating of minus 10 stars.

It is hardly more than a fill-in-the-blank set of continuous forms.It assumes you are fully familiar with the entire multi-thousand page Federal Tax Code and offers no real on-screen assistance.In a word, it is a (...) waste of time, a vast black hole of time wasteage.

Besides, it demands a fearfully long registration process just to refuse the incredibly stupid junk e-mail that Intuit will smother you in if you do not turn off its relentless marketing junk.

For all of this, you should pay $100?Not next year.

streets ahead of the competition
This year I had the unenviable experience of buying both sets of software: Tax Cut Home & Business, which failed me utterly; and TurboTax Business, which worked just fine.

Tax Cut worked fine for my 1040, and with some difficulties it also worked for a 1041 trust return. But it simply could not file a corporate tax return, 1120-A. The software was buggy, it wouldn't print a sample return, and a week before the deadline it still hadn't updated the forms. Worst of all, an attempt to update had corrupted the file. (See the agonized comments on the Tax Cut Home & Business page.)

So I ordered TurboTax Business and paid for express delivery. It worked just fine, though of course I had to enter everything anew because the Tax Cut file was corrupted.

In the future, I will stick with TurboTax Business, and add a cheapo version of the personal tax software, which is available and cheapest. (I prefer to deal directly with the forms, without interference from an "interview.") But I will never again try to save a buck with Tax Cut Home & Business.

What's all the fuss???
I am not a CPA, nor am I a tax expert.However, I simply read the instructions, followed the recommendations, referred to my prior year 1120S for some minor guidance, and all seems to have gone just fine.The tax return went in the mail yesterday!

Maybe I'm blessed with a simple business model or lack some of the complications and complexities compared to the other reviewers but I really cannot complain about this product.I have had frustrating experiences with Intuit in the past but not this time.

My final comment is this: if the $100 I spent on this software helps me to permanently avoid the annual $2,000 payment to my CPA for tax preparation, then I'll gladly buy Turbo Tax Business year after year.The $1,900 difference will go to a Hawaiian vacation!Mahalo, Intuit!

Your killing me!
In my opinion, I'm sorry to say, TurboTax Business is about as useless as you can get.During the last three years I've used it and the same deficiencies continue with more being added "every day".

The most disturbing deficiency is when errors are found during the review.First of all these errors are simple reconciliations of two lines in the return.The software performs the math and numbers are entered through worksheets.However, when the review finds a reconciliation error, all the software says is something like "line 6 on form x is not equal to line 9 on form y".When you search for help, all it says is "line 6 on form x must equal to line 9 on form y", and that's all.To resolve the problem I've had to read the appropriate pubs, instructions, and forms myself.

Also, the itemization of the deduction isn't much better than paper and pencil. To use the software you need to know more than the software.

Great, thanks for nothing! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

It won't make paying easier, but Quicken TurboTax Deluxe for Tax Year2000 will make the ever-more-complicated process of tax preparation simpleenough for all but the most sheltered tycoons. For much less money than even abrief consultation with a pro, taxpayers can obtain this package and get aguided tour through the steps required to calculate federal and state paymentsor refunds.

The installation process is easy, and the online multimedia help starts rightfrom the first screen. Though new users might be a bit intimidated by the wealthof options, navigation is intuitive enough to get practically anyone started.The basics are well designed and artfully navigated throughout--enter personaldata, then type in or import financial information from Quicken or onlineaccounts. Deductions, the great nightmare of years past, are easy to file andfiddle with as needed. In the end, all the forms needed are available forprinting or electronic filing, and every step from preparation to filing isoutlined in careful detail.

Those who want more than a robot servant can play out different tax strategyscenarios, look up tax documents and planning advice, or even maximizeinvestments for tax benefits. One logistical drawback involving the state taxpackages could stand improvement: users must purchase either TurboTax State 45Multi-State or TurboTax StateCA separately and then send proof of purchase to Intuit for a rebate. Thoughthis seems somewhat old-fashioned, forewarned consumers can buy both at once toavoid disappointment, then get the rebate more quickly.

Given the advantages of flexibility, in-depth help, and ease of use, QuickenTurboTax Deluxe for Tax Year 2000 is an essential tool for beating the April 15deadline headache-free. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

TurboTax Deluxe for Mac is a tax planning and preparation solution that provides everything you need to file your taxes quickly and easily. The EasyStep Interview process guides you through your return step by step, then double checks for errors and overlooked deductions. Plus, TurboTax Deluxe for Mac delivers a complete set of interactive tools to help you uncover tax-saving opportunities. You'll benefit from smart tax strategies, expert guidance, and a comprehensive tax library.

With TurboTax Deluxe for Mac for tax year 2002 working for you, it can be easier than ever to make the most of the changing tax laws and claim the tax breaks you deserve. Plus, the package includes one free download of a TurboTax State for Mac and a rebate for one free electronic filing.

TurboTax features instant data entry that automatically retrieves W-2 wage data, 1098 mortgage interest, and 1099 investment data from participating employers and financial institutions, then enters it in the right forms, eliminating manual data entry and simplifying tax preparation. Import Quicken data (2001 or later) and bring in separate categories of transactions, like deductions, and preview your entries one at a time.

Note: Free download of TurboTax State is good for one return only. Additional copies are needed for additional states. One free 1040 e-filing is also included after rebate. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Good product gone bad
I used TurboTax in 2000 and 2001; it was simple and error free. But 2000 was a nightmare in several respects. When I tried to locate the self-employed health deduction location, for instance, I simply got a message telling me what had to be done and the software didn't take me there. I had to do a manual override. It kept telling me there were errors (I was using EasyStep) but when I would fix the ones it found it would tell me there were more than before. I opted to download the current upgrades, which, it said, would take just a "few minutes." At 56k it too an hour and a half. Then it printed the quarterly estimated tax vouchers for 2003 with letter across it saying that they required a software update to print properly. We're in July of 2003 and they aren't ready? They have turned a relatively simply and effective application into an abomination. It took me 5 hours to do our simple taxes, and I eventually had to just send the forms off with "error" still being reported. The prior two years I spend about 2 hours using TurboTax.

On the down slide
Many errors, awkward. I've used Macintax and turbo tax for many years. This year was the most problem filled one yet. Ane they make the filing rebate harder and harder to collect.
My last year with this.

Worked nearly flawlessly for me
I have used both Kiplingers and TurboTax products in the past with good results, and this year's effort using TurboTax for Mac was no different. Installation and updates were easy, and with broadband access, I had no problems with download times (including the download of the state version).

Yes, there are a few ads scattered throughout, which was a bit annoying since I'd paid for the product (as opposed to an ad-based online site). But that was a very minor annoyance to me that was no worse than the average web site ads we've all learned to ignore.

I did wait until mid-March to file, in part so as to take advantage of any product updates & bug fixes. That meant starting and stopping work on the return several times, and it was very simple to pick up where I'd left off. I e-filed and got my return through direct deposit in about a week.

The only problem I have is a result of my own carelesness: I lost the rebate form for the state program, and so far cannot find a downloadable rebate form on the Intuit web site.

All in all, I'd have no reservations at all about recommending this product or about buying it again next year. (Used on a G4/400, 384mb RAM, broadband access)

2002 OSXVersion a Disaster
I have used Turbo Taxon a Mac since 1997 with good results.I don't know why the 2002 version was such a disaster but perhaps it is related to this being the first one written for OSX. ...

In short, probably my worst software experience in 25 years of using computers....

OK, but takes too long to set up.
After installing Turbotax the download of the update took about 1 hour and 45 min. on a 56k
modem.Makes one wonder if there was anything on the original disk. ... Read more

Features

• Tax software guides users through IRS returns
• Interview-based wizard system
• Up-to-date with latest federal tax law
• Checks math and audit flags
• Includes tax publications and expert advice

Reviews (21)

saves my sanity every year!
I have been using TurboTax (formerly MacInTax) for 6 years now, and it gets better every year. Beginning last year, I did the electronic filing and I couldn't have been happier with the results. Philosophical arguments notwithstanding regarding doing this electronically, I did get an e-mail response from Quicken saying everything went through and 2 days later a response from the IRS that they had received my return. I always used to put off filing my taxes until the last possible moment because I dreaded reading all the details and filling out the complicated boxes with the vague instructions. It's not something you want to get wrong. I have never had a tax preparer do my taxes for me - I've always done my own since I was 17, but procrastination has always been my enemy, even when I had a juicy refund coming to me.

TurboTax takes the chore and bore out of the process. Each aspect of the software has little checks to make sure you're doing everything correctly.I was able to import my data from previous returns to save loads of time filling out stuff that doesn't change from year to year as a rule.

The software takes you dialogue by dialogue asking you questions like "do you own any stocks?" and if not, you skip the all the related questions so you don't have to muddle through things that don't apply to you. Everything is in concise categories.

Anytime you have a question, you can click on the help button for specific, context-sensitive information. The major sections have built-in QuickTime videos of professional tax experts explaining the latest tax laws and what the IRS is looking for, etc. etc.

When you're about all done, it does an error check and automatically goes through everything on your return and will tell you if anything on your return contains errors or otherwise will raise a red flag with the IRS and make you more vulnerable to an audit.

After filing my taxes with Turbo Tax, I got my refund deposited into my bank account electronically within 6 days. For those who are not expecting refunds, but rather have to send payment to the IRS, you can set up your payment so that it gets sent at the last possible moment on April 15, even if you file much earlier.

When you first install the software, it first checks with Intuit's servers for any updates and allows you to download State Tax software for free (if applicable). Fortunately, there are no state income taxes in Texas (yea for us!).

I am using a nearly 6-year-old Mac running (albeit slowly) Panther (10.3.3) and the software ran like a champ.

Updates a nightmare, no customer support
I've used Turbotax ever since the MacInTax years, and the software was always easy to use and update--until now. Using aniMac with OS 9.2.2 and Turbotax Deluxe 2003, over a 56K modem the update that promises to take "just a few minutes" actually takes about 120 of them, that is, if something does not crash on you first.The updates would apparently install successfully but the program kept telling me, "You've never checked for updates"--and refused to let me fill out form 4652 for Depreciation based on that.After attempting the download at least three or four times, I ordered the "update on CD". It took 10 days to arrive.After installing it, the same error message appeared again. Also, apparently the "update" does not put obsolete files into the trash. Therefore, finally after several 'Update" attempts I ended up with several folders and did not know which files were up to date or which files my program was pointing to. So I spent several hours going through all the folders manually comparing file creation dates.This enabled me to finally complete form 4652 but after finishing the State return, I once again received an error message, "You've never checked for updates". All I've spent the last three weeks doing is checking for updates!

The State return was very disappointing also, because, if you need to quit in the middle, the software cannot remember where you left off--so you may have to click through literally tens of screens to get back to where you were.

Intuit's online "support" was a pointless waste of hours and hours of even more time.With this year's product being so unsatisfactory, I simply could not justify sending Intuit a single penny more to get it working. I shouldn't have to.I began my tax return at the end of February. Now it is April 13 and I still have not got this garbage product running.

Next year I won't mind spending hundreds of dollars more to take my taxes to an accountant. Time is money too, and life is way too short to waste any of it trying to fix a product that ought to have been debugged and finished BEFORE it was shipped.

Don't expect to import '02 TaxCut data!
Despite assurances from TurboTax customer service that I could import data from last year's TaxCut (ever try to manually enter years of depreciation?), I found that he forgot to mention the details.You have to find a PC computer with PC TurboTax, import the TaxCut data, then transfer that file into your Mac for use.Just a slight omission!

Now after having no other choice but to also purchase '03 TaxCut, I can honestly say I'll never buy an Intuit product again...

cautions!
The following is from a message I sent to someone.My relatively low rating is based on the fact that Intuit couldn't be bothered to point these two things out.This is using OS 10.3.2.

I too discovered that I had to scroll all the way down the license window before the 'accept' button became active. I wasted many hours finding this out.It wasn't my intelligence---pure desperation!I also have never seen this before. I can't begin to tell you all the useless things I have been doing all day!!

One interesting point I noted.When I finally did do the install and started up the program, it wouldn't work.It claimed that there were missing fonts.It turns out that the five fonts installed by TurboTax were installed with the default setting of 'off.'Once I activated them in FontBook, everything was OK.

Foreign Tax Credits
Do not buy TurboTax for MAC if you have to use the
Foreign Tax Credits section!!! The software consistently
crashes whenever the Form 1116 has to be filled out
and the Intuit support is completely clueless.
If it is too late to return the product to Amazon,
call Intuit at 1 800 446 8848. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

TurboTax en Espanol guides you through preparing and filing your taxes quickly and easily. The EasyStep Interview process guides you through your return step by step, then double checks for errors and overlooked deductions. Information can be instantly imported from your Quicken or QuickBooks program (2001 or later) and quickly transferred from last year's federal return. You can even file your return electronically.

The software also allows you to retrieve and input your wage, mortgage interest, and investment data with instant data entry by automatically retrieving W-2 wage data, 1098 mortgage interest, and 1099 investment data from participating employers and financial institutions. It then enters the data in the right forms, reducing manual data entry and simplifying tax preparation.

TurboTax Basic also helps you identify entries that could trigger an audit. Audit Alerts check your return for items that might raise a red flag with the IRS, and provide information on key documents you should keep. In addition, TurboTax Basic helps you make the most of the changing tax laws: it is up-to-date, with all the latest tax law changes.Note: This is a Spanish language version of TurboTax. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Contains C-Dilla Malware / Spyware / Trojan.
Buy something else.

Intuit Turbotax 2002 included a non-optional program called "C-Dilla".That program was supposed to be a DRM (Digital Rights Management -- anti-piracy) program, but is a particularly nasty form of spyware / malware that may be difficult or impossible to remove from your system.

In the 2002 version of TurboTax, a great protest rose up from prominent computer-industry magazines and users, which led to Intuit/TurboTax's somewhat apologizing for C-Dilla, and offering a program that uninstalled C-Dilla after you'd uninstalled TurboTax2002.(The original uninstaller didn't remove C-Dilla.)

Why dislike C-Dilla ?Here's why.

Here's a quote from extremetech.com. (ExtremeTech &sister publication PC Magazine're industry leaders.You've probably heard of their most famous writer, John C. Dvorak.)This's from one of many articles there about TurboTax/ C-Dilla. (Intuit-TurboTax-2002's C-Dilla wasn't different from other versions of C-Dilla.It just got alot of attention because TurboTax *was* very popular software until C-Dilla became a part of it.)

From the article:
"Likely the biggest problem users have expressed, is the level at which the TurboTax licensing agreement is managed and protected with the SafeCast/C-Dilla technology. People believe C-Dilla infiltrates their system in a very insidious manner, and uses memory and resources even when TurboTax is not loaded. And some believe it has caused them serious compatibility problems with non-related CD writing operations. (PC Magazine and ExtremeTech will be conducting some tests next week to see if we can duplicate some of these problems).[....] or your customers still looking to exit TurboTax for good, the uninstaller at this link now fully removes components of SafeCast/C-Dilla that were previously mostly impossible to remove."

In short, C-Dilla is an extremely strong reason for anyone to avoid this product until Intuit promises that C-Dilla is NOT a part of the current Intuit TurboTax offering.Be safe...buy something else instead.If you're planning on using this product at work, forget it... your Info Technology manager will have a cow if he/she knows that you're installing destructive trojan/spyware (C-Dilla) on the company PCs.If you've already installed this software on a PC at work, let your IT manager know IMMEDIATELY, so he/she can take whatever steps are possible to remove C-Dilla.

AFAIK, CDilla probably sets itself up on an undeclared, self-created partition and parts of itself on your main boot partition.Yes, that means it goes in and changes your hdd partition table!!! For some users, that's going to be a big problem, because monkeying with the partition table is NOT a good idea...particularly if you are at a company with a reasonably security/safety-conscious network administrator, or have several partitions dedicated to several flavors of operating system (Windows and Linux, for example... with a LiLo-type partition to provide you with a boot-time menu so you can choose which operating system to boot).

You can search extremetech.com to find several TurboTax CDilla articles, and informative users' discussions about C-Dilla, what it does, why folks dislike it intensely, whether it can be removed from a PC... ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

TurboTax Premier is a powerful personal tax preparation tool for optimizing tax savings now and in the future. Take advantage of a suite of features that address the unique tax needs of investors, rental property owners, retirees, and those planning for retirement. The program includes all the time- and money-saving features of TurboTax Deluxe, plus tax resources to help you plan for a brighter tax outlook.

The 401(k) Maximizer tool reveals ways to increase your 401(k) contribution without decreasing your take-home pay. Plus, the Retirement Tax Advisor provides tax-smart advice for long-term care insurance, employment taxes for a nurse, reverse mortgages, gifts and inheritance, contributing to a grandchild's education, two-year allowance for sale of home, and more. The Early Retirement Forecaster, Retirement Age Analyzer, Social Security Trade-Off Calculator, and the Retirement Distribution Calculator are included in Premier as well.

The software has extra resources for rental property owners, too. The Depreciation Expert helps you choose optimal ways to depreciate property and assets--from vacant rental properties to converting your personal residence to a rental, and more. A Rental Property Expense Expert reveals which expenses are deductible in areas such as travel, car, entertainment, advertising, and insurance.

All federal versions of TurboTax desktop products for Windows include product activation to better ensure customers use the product in accordance with the License Agreement. An independent test of product activation technology in Intuit Inc.'s TurboTax desktop software products confirms the technology does not negatively impact computer performance or compromise customer privacy. The findings of the tests, performed by PCTest Corporation, an independent software-testing lab can be found at http://www.pctest.com/intuit/index.htm. You can still prepare multiple returns from one computer, and install and prepare your return on multiple computers. To fully uninstall the the SafeCast/C-Dilla element of TurboTax, you m ust download the free uninstall application at the TurboTax Support website. For additional information about product activation, go to http://www.turbotaxsupport.com and refer to TurboTax Product Activation in the News and Tips section.

Note: Free download of TurboTax State is good for one return only. Additional copies are needed for additional states. One free 1040 e-filing is also included after rebate. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Dont even think about it.TurboTax is useless junk now.
This is just unbeleivable.Whatever they did to the software this year has made it downright useless.I cannot get any updates over the Internet and without them the return is well, useless to me.Never again will I fiddle with anything from Intuit, Inc.Preparing my taxes is too important.

Man, what a disappointment.Time to shell out [$$$] and let my neighbor prepare my taxes from now on.

Intuit took a really good product and totally screwed it up.

Good Bye Intuit
After many loyal years with Intuit, I have such a bitter taste in my mouth that I have vowed not to use this product ever again. Advertising and badly implemented copy protection. Buy this only if you have the MOST BASIC computer system.

no complaints here
This is my first time to use TurboTax.I followed the installation directions EXACTLY, which included some odd things like making sure absolutely every program on the computer is closed and deactivating the virus protection software (temporarily) for the installation period.I also was on a cable modem connection to the net, so when it was time to activate the software, & to update anything, it was instant and easy.I bought TurboTax because I knew I needed many schedules & forms that I've not used in the past, and the interview process made it easy - the program decides which forms to use.Also, when I discovered & entered a change that saved me hundreds of dollars, the software made the change throughout all forms in both federal & state returns instantly.I'm pretty happy with it overall, & I plan to use it again next year.

Goodbye Turbo Tax!
This will be my last year (assuming I get through it this time.) Imagine my surprise when I tried to import my data from Quicken (2000) and was told I would have to upgrade to at least Q2001 to have this work! No warnings that this software was not backwards compatible with past versions of Quicken! In adition the software is filled with plugs for other products and services. I think Intuit has forgotten their customers in their greed to squeeze every nickle out of them. Dissatisfied?That hardly seems strong enough!

so many problems
I have used turbo tax for the last 8 years.This year has been a nightmare.I tried to install on my laptop in addition to my desktop, so I could work on the taxes from my others (I do hers also) and it would not install at all (I knew I would not be able to print).This required several phone calls to turbo tax to resolve.When I tried to do the update, it never would update. Next I tried to install a 2nd state package.I had purchased two state packages.The installation process kept required that I pay for it a 2nd time.After trying to resolve online, no luck.So I have paid for software that will not work.NEVER again will I buy Turbo Tax ... Read more

Features

• Tax software guides users through IRS returns
• Interview-based wizard system
• Up-to-date with latest federal tax law
• Checks math and audit flags
• Includes investment, retirement and deduction advice

Reviews (4)

Premier not worth it; stick with Deluxe
I've been using TurboTax for many years. Until now, I've always used TurboTax Deluxe for the free state download. This year, I decided to try TurboTax Premier for the "Tax-Slashing Tools".

I don't think the Premier features (over "Deluxe") are worth the extra cost. What you get is a bunch of very basic tax advice related to sale of equity investments, use of IRAs, and contributions to 401(k) accounts ("contribute as much as you can"). It also contains some stuff related to rental properties, but I don't own any real estate, so it doesn't apply to me.

I will be sticking with Deluxe from now on. Maybe if I buy a house I'll try out Premier in the future, but not until then.

I have tried TaxCut (2000 or 2001, I don't remember), but I didn't like it compared with my previous use of TurboTax. So until TurboTax changes for the worse, I don't plan to try TaxCut again.

Last minute buyers should avoid
TurboTax Premier would not install on my XP system.It just hung during the part where fonts are installed.This bug is known to tech support but nothing they told me or sent me worked. Getting help was arduous.I'm going back to TaxCut.

Not as good as last year's
I was very happy with last year's version for 2002 tax returns. I own rental property and using TT helped guide me through depreciations and other considerations that I had done differently on my own. This year's edition of TT has become confusing and even completely passes over the deductions for automobile use. I've read a couple dozen of the many reviews for the Deluxe version and the same problems exist here. You'll have to download a fairly large update and you'll likely have problems with fonts. I realize the tax code has changed dramatically, but that doesn't let Intuit off the hook. Read the reviews of the Deluxe version and you'll likely be scared away.

Free support is non existent.
Not worth the price. The State entries depend on the Federal entries and if wrong cannot be corrected and filed electronically. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

TurboTax Premier Home & Business is the perfect choice for the self-employed, including realtors, consultants, retailers, contractors, professionals, and more. It combines the power of TurboTax Premier with special resources and advice for preparing Schedule C. Also included are one free TurboTax State download and a rebate for a free electronic filing.

You get everything you'll likely need to prepare and file your personal and self-employment taxes. The tax planning strategies, expert advice, and comprehensive tax library can help you make tax-savvy decisions throughout the year. Strategic small business tools help you maximize depreciation deductions for properties, income, and expenses. Plus, discover how to make the most of home office deductions, find business-specific audit items before the IRS does, and much more.

Manage your retirement finances, too. The 401(k) Maximizer tool reveals ways to increase your 401(k) contribution without decreasing your take-home pay. Plus, Retirement Tax Advisor provides tax-smart advice for long-term care insurance, employment taxes for a nurse, reverse mortgages, gifts and inheritance, contributing to a grandchild's education, two-year allowance for sale of home, and more.

All federal versions of TurboTax desktop products for Windows include product activation to better ensure customers use the product in accordance with the License Agreement. An independent test of product activation technology in Intuit Inc.'s TurboTax desktop software products confirms the technology does not negatively impact computer performance or compromise customer privacy. The findings of the tests, performed by PCTest Corporation, an independent software-testing lab can be found at http://www.pctest.com/intuit/index.htm. You can still prepare multiple returns from one computer, and install and prepare your return on multiple computers. To fully uninstall the the SafeCast/C-Dilla element of TurboTax, you m ust download the free uninstall application at the TurboTax Support website. For additional information about product activation, go to http://www.turbotaxsupport.com and refer to TurboTax Product Activation in the News and Tips section.

Note: Free download of TurboTax State is good for one return only. Additional copies are needed for additional states. One free 1040 e-filing is also included after rebate. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

wasted my money
Turbotax Premier didn't work -- was sold incomplete and update needed, although not mentioned on the box.I am not on the net, so needed to wait for it USPS.After waiting 6 weeks (and tax time imminent) I finished my taxes manually and mailed it.I returned the disc to Intuit and requested full refund.THEN they sent me the upgrade.Too late, guys.Intuit now refuses to acknowledge me... Decide for yourself if they are an honest company.

Intuit backs down
I guess Intuit got enough complaints on product activation, as they sent me the following:

Dear Valued Customer:

In response to your comments on the implementation of product activation technology in tax year 2002 TurboTax(R) software, I wanted to let you know that Intuit will discontinue product activation in next year's TurboTax desktop products purchased at retail or direct from Intuit.

We are absolutely committed to listening and learning from our customers. We clearly need to better understand all of our customers' tax preparation needs and how they use TurboTax.

While we remain committed to protecting our intellectual property, going forward, we will only introduce digital rights management technologies that maximize customer experience and preserve customer satisfaction.

Again, thanks for your feedback.

Regards,
Tom Allanson, Sr. Vice President
TurboTax

Won't be buying it ever again!
Let me first start by saying I have been using Turbo Tax for 4 years now.This year Intuit made some significant changes which, unfortunately, are a disservice to its customers.First, you need to "activate" this product before you can do things like file electronically or even print your form.Once you install this on a particular computer you can forget about installing it on another one such as your laptop since the product is now tied to ONE computer for ALL time!So much for trusting your long-time, loyal customers.I was dismayed to find I was essentially forced to register my product.Secondly, most customers will be unpleasantly surprised to find you are blasted with advertisements from financial institutions WHILE using the software! That's right, you are in the middle of answering questions regarding your financial history and when you get to topics such as investing you are besieged with "relevant" ads.This is totally unacceptable!After paying ... retail for this product the last thing a customer wants is advertisements plastered in his face, especially right in the middle of doing your calculations.I can imagine using MS Word in the the not to distant future and the "little paper clip" pops up and tells me to go buy Webster's dictionary after I run the spell checker.Yeah right, only Intuit could think their customers are this naive.
In conclusion, the quality of this product has been diminished because of Intuit's attempts to squeeze at little more revenue out of this program.It appears as though these attempts have back-fired.After speaking with several colleages of mine they informed me they switched this year to Tax Cut.Next year I will do the same.

Never Again
Whew!Just finished my taxes, no thanks to Intuit and TurboTax.The product is expensive, difficult to activate, loaded with advertising, and difficult-to-impossible to update online.I never could get the state tax update to download, so I ended up doing it by hand at the 11th hour.

With this product, Intuit has scaled the heights of poor customer service.May its slide down the mountain be as long and painful as using TurboTax.

This was a good product until this year
My computer "crashed" and I had to install my HDD and other peripherals in a new case with a P-4 motherboard.
Intuit no longer recognizes my installation as valid, I never got the State edition and the copy will not print out my forms.
Intuit's only solution is to purchase this package all over again.

No way will I purchase this again.I will copy and paste the info into the IRS.gov forms to print the final forms...or import the info into TaxAct and then ask for my mony back.

Intit has lost a faithul small business customer.

R. S. Davis, P.E. ... Read more