I have used TurboTax since at least 2006. As an individual that has experience with filing taxes for others (I don't anymore), I find that "behind the scenes" is the same software that I had used as a professional. This makes it easier to understand and troubleshoot my work. If I get impatient with the user interface, I switch to the forms view to look at the data.
What's great about it: The ability to see the forms as they will be filed/printed as the return is being completed.
I like Turbo Tax, but it has gotten a little more complicated than it used to be, for example, as a self employed person, I found it difficult to find the area where you deduct your utilities, and home expenses for a home office. It used to just walk you right into it. Now you have to click "edit" after the address of the home you are using... Anyway, I hope I have not missed other things because it did not walk me through every step. If I were a new user, I might not like it as much.
I love the program (with one small exception: don't upload business expense entries from last year. Too much trouble to use. Better to start from scratch.
Your front-loading economizing on personnel cost you a lot of technical support time. When I couldn't download the program without assistance, I persisted and finally got it loaded, but it was permanent messed up.
Also, I'm late filing my taxes. Your whole system is set up for the 99% that meet the deadline. I couldn't download 2013 and it will soon be too late in day to call in for help.
What's great about it: Very helpful, pleasant technical support
What's not so great: Needed download help; made mistakes that required lots of technical assistance to get around
I have an entry which is called extension on my state taxes and I do not know where it came from or how it was entered. As a result I was hit with interest and penalties instead of a refund
I have been using TurboTax for years now and am very happy with it. I love being able to go at my own pace, revise as I go, and revisit when needed. I like being able to see the tax forms if I have questions. Years ago I went to a professional, watched him do my taxes, and went home and put all my numbers into turbotax, modified some things he got wrong and got $200 more dollars back in my refund!! Great product.
What's great about it: Easy to use. Easy to understand. Easy to go back and add what was forgotten
What's not so great: sometimes skips important pages like applying refund to next year's taxes
Poorly handles: -retiring of one car and purchase of another - if no trade-in -out of state K-1's when that state has no income tax -dependent college student who sat out a semester and worked -depreciation for a 'new' used car with a three-year-life -estimated tax payments to multiple states -payments with extensions - to multiple states
What's great about it: Quick, easy, efficient for all common situations
What's not so great: Awkward, or incorrect, handling of some less common situations