TurboTax is extremely easy to use. It is very user friendly and has the information available that you need. I highly recommend this program for the most simple returns to the more complex, small business returns.
What's great about it: Easy to follow instructions
In previous versions, my banking account information was automatically transferred to both federal and state returns for the upcoming year. The 2013 version required me to enter it three times (federal and 2 state returns).
Overall, the program is still excellent for individual/family tax filing.
What's great about it: User friendly in all categories
What's not so great: Does not transfer data in some cases
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion), I moved
Overall, TurboTax 2013 show little to no improvement compared to previous versions. It still has the following shortcomings:
- The popup window that shows when a user clicks a tax term to look for more details is very annoying: 1) it blocks the main screen and 2) user cannot close it by pressing the "Esc" button. A much better interface is to show additional information in the sidebar on the right hand side.
- It should ask more intelligent questions to help the user avoid dealing with certain sections. For example, it should ask if the company has any employee. If there's none, it shouldn't keep on asking any employee-related question.
- It asks questions for which TurboTax should already have the answers from previous year's return. So, it doesn't import certain data from past return while it should have.
- For certain uncommon tax situation, TurboTax should ask a comprehensive question to help the user decide whether it is relevant to him/her. Instead, it just asks something similar to "Does this tax situation apply to you?" That's not helpful at all.
What's not so great: user interface, application logic
I still like to use Turbo Tax, but the step by step does not seem as clear as in the past. It was not always clear that I was done with a specific area or what the next step within an area should be.
The reason I used Turbotax in the past was how simple it was to go through my taxes and the confidence I had that I hadn't missed anything.
It seemed like some information was asked for out of order and the need to do multiple reviews at the end seemed odd. The errors that were found seemed like they should have been found in 1 review, not 4.
What's great about it: Accurate math, transfer of info from past returns.
What's not so great: Not as clear step by step as in previous years.
Long time user of TurboTax... makes life a whole lot easier even when I started my own business and sold my house. Turbo tax gave me peace of mind knowing I had done it right.
What's great about it: copied data from last year ,step by step guide exellent
What's not so great: hard to go back and review imput.
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion)