E-filing put me into a loop of updates that prevented my filing three days after I finished my tax return. Being able to e-file is the primary reason I buy and use TT...only with my kind BIL's help have I filed tonight!!
I HAVE BEEN USING THIS PRODUCT SINCE IT CAME ON THE MARKET. ONE YEAR WITH ANOTHER PROGRAM TAUGHT ME JUST HOW VALUABLE YOUR PRODUCT IS. THE HELP TABS ELIMINATE MANY PROBLEMS, OFFER ALTERNATIVES AND OPTIONS THAT I WOULDN'T NORMALLY CONSIDER. KEEP IT GOING...TAXES ARE GOING TO BE WORSE NEXT YEAR..
What's great about it: QUICK, EASY, CONCISE, SELF AUDITING
What's not so great: SOME FLEXIBILITY BETWEEN INTERVIEW AND FORMS IS STICKY
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion)
Help and support forum rather useless. After being put on hold for a long 2x, got connected to rather clueless "tax experts" who either gave the wrong answer or did not know the answers. I did better myself goggling the problem and checking the IRS website. On matters concerning exclusion of income on state income tax, the help desk is absolutely clueless. I discovered how to manually make the changes/answer the questions by poking around. The walk-through does not address that.
What's not so great: Not even guidance even for someone who does corporate tax work
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion)
I have used Turbo Tax for years and have recommended it to friends and neighbors. Most have taken it up and are quite happy, especially those who had been paying a professional to do it for them.
What's great about it: Takes you step by step through everything you need to know
What's not so great: Had a little trouble determining if some questions applied to me or to my husband
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion)
I've been using TT H&B for the last 5 years at least and I love how easy it is to use! It walks you through all the pertinent questions if you have a small business or do consulting and doesn't expect you to be knowledgeable in any way about tax preparation! If you like simple tax prep then this is for you but just an FYI, it's not the cheapest solution out there!
What's great about it: Asks all the appropriate questions, never misses deductions
What's not so great: Turbotax H&B is a little pricey!
Determining specifics of whether a refund was taxable for newly married couple could be improved. My refund was taxable because I itemized, while my wife's was evidently not due to her using standard deduction.
I see your life changes section doesn't include "getting married".
What's great about it: Handled dual monitors spectacularly well. Please help Quicken 2014 get this right.
What's not so great: Didn't help well with determining whether my refund was taxable, vs my new wife's refund was not.