I provide child day care and know somthing about filng taxes because in prior years I dug through IRS publications and made sure I had the forms I needed. I had extra things to file this year so decided to sping for the expensive TT product. Had I not known what did to begin with, I would never have been able to figure out this year's taxes using this expensive program. I even had to search IRS publications to figure out where to take a simple energy credit. Basically, I think TT asked questions that may have been specific to some self employment categories, but not mine.
What's great about it: Turbo Tax has been helpful over the years
What's not so great: the business and home editon was not worth the extra money.
TurboTax makes your filing about as painless as it can get. I've used it for several years for home and my real estate business. If you team it up with Quicken, and keep Quicken up to date, filing is a snap. Gone are sorting through shoebox days.
What's great about it: Makes sure you don't miss anything; finds & helps correct errors
What's not so great: Not many...would like to be able to go to a specific form to make any changes.
This review is for home and business. Turbo tax does a poor job of explaining the business tax requirements for a business getting all its income on a 1099. For example, if I had not researched how to handle the $6000 I collected in state sales tax, Turbo Tax would have treated it as income. Even after I knew where to enter the deduction, I realized Turbo Tax ignored the subject. TT calls the field Fees. It is really taxes and fees. In the end, I pretty much did the taxes manually, I cannot trust Turbo Tax.
What's great about it: A good general guide as to what is needed
What's not so great: Falls down on the detail
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion)
I HAVE WORKED WITH TURBO-TAX SEVERAL YEARS. I ALSO HAVE WORKED AT H & R BLOCK OFFICES. TURBO-TAX IS MUCH MORE USER FRIENDLY IF YOU HAVE NO QUESTIONS. TURBO-TAX IS A TO-THE-POINT PROGRAM.
What's great about it: POINT BY POINT GUIDANCE AND EASY SWITCH TO FORMS
What's not so great: HARD TO DETERMINE BEST FORM FOR TIMBER SALES