I wish Turbo Tax would check for things like how many years the HOPE credit was taken by automatically going back through returns. I have 5 years of returns on this one computer for that reason, but it always asks me anyway. Otherwise, its a great resource--I have been using Turbo Tax since the Flood.
What's great about it: Detailed assistance
What's not so great: Doesn't import everything you need
W-2G section #13. State/Player's state indentification number section won't allow dashes in the number and causes you to correct the problem just before you send off and transmit the State or Federal Returns, by that time it's too late to try and correct the problem and in turn makes your return being filed late which caused late fees on my State and Federal returns........It took 45 minutes to correct all the errors and finally it would accept my return LATE!!!! Very bad programming error on your part!! I wonder how many more people had the same thing happen??? Thousands and multiply that by the late fees and I could pay off my house mortgage 1000 times over.......
It would be ideal to request pins early at the start of the program prior to filing to reduce the amount of time wasted waiting for the website to respond back with the pins. If the program had an auto fill form for the website to request the pin and grab the information would have saved even more time as the website busy notification created a repeat of entry requests. I had to repeat entry 3 times due to the busy notification which delayed me filing the forms on time.
What's great about it: Final Review had hyperlinks
What's not so great: Gov website was tied up
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion), I bought or sold investments
It does not require one to be a tax expert, anybody who can read and understand English and type can follow the straightforward instructions. It guides you totally from beginning to end. I've been using it for as long as I remember filing taxes!
What's great about it: Such a great program and easy to use
I've been using TT for over 10 years and appreciate it's user-friendly, step-by-step process, auto-fill from previous year's return and easy electronic filing, as well as the free state version. It has helped me become more organized and about how I keep my tax records and paperwork so I'm ready to file when the time comes. My only concerns are that I have discovered that it is too easy to make a duplicate entry (ie. enter a 1099 form twice) and not have it caught either at the time of entry or during the review for errors. Also, as my tax situation has become more complicated, I find some of the helpful explanations and descriptions are somewhat lacking in detail.
What's great about it: Easy entry, great step-by-step process, helpful guides, a product for every taxpayer situation, reasonable price.
What's not so great: Too easy to make a duplicate entry that isn't caught on the review for errors, more explanation needed in some areas