With the current federal tax code it would be impossible to file taxes without a turbo tax. Turbo tax takes you efficiently through the necessary process.
What's great about it: Walks you through the valley of death like a pro
TurboTax is usually problem-free, but this year the program would not correctly import last year's (2012) records-Program kept duplicating forms. We kept getting four Schedule C forms. When we deleted the extraneous forms, the program would leave the deleted forms' income figures, improperly inflating our income figures for this year. To solve this we had to start over and NOT allow it to import 2012 information-meaning ALL information had to be re-keyed. Inconvenient, but it worked in the end.
What's great about it: Ability to go back and forth within the program to add income and also add deductibles as we pull them from paper files.
What's not so great: The Program would not correctly import last year's information-kept duplicating forms.
Way and means of paying amount due requires a more thorough explanation. Very poor choices. Very vague. No directions if paying by credit card at a DIFFERENT service.
What's great about it: More comprehensive.
What's not so great: Lack of tax payment selection, high fee.