TurboTax is a huge help and most people can do even a moderately complex return themselves. If you know what you're doing it lets you enter the forms directly; if you need help it can guide you step by step. Some things are not obvious -- I bought 3 states, 1 for me and 2 for my daughter -- and it took 15 minutes online to figure out how to delete the unused states from the returns that didn't use them.
What's great about it: choice of forms or hand-holding
Example of following reasoning: an issue where the term MODIFIED ADJUSTED GROSS WAS USE, I could not find the definition so I have an unresolved item. At one point the expenses for business stopped having an effect on reducing the Federal Tax. I subsequently learned it was due AMT but the Turbo tax never alerted me to the limit. The information for SCH D required me to locate old records only to find out that I did not need all of the dates as the broker determined weather the trades were long or short without the dates. The questions about health insurance were a violation of my rights. It is none of their business for tax filing purposes if I have insurance. If I answered that I did not than I have admitted to a penalty without process. If I lied than I have committed to a violation of 1001, Title 18. Intuit should not have put these questions into their program and by doing so become an agent of the Government and potentially subject to aiding in violating individual rights.
What's great about it: I am used to it after years of use
What's not so great: Very slow this year! took a long time to boot up? Difficult to follow some of the reasoning
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion), I bought or sold investments
It makes the process easier than doing it by hand. I am particularly unhappy about the cost of additional state modules. And shy am I paying so much for PA when it has missing words, typos and bad grammar?
What's great about it: Seems to get all the relevant info
What's not so great: The cost to efile is too high, the cost for individual states is WAY too high, the PA module has lots of typos, etc
I've used Turbo Tax & It's Deductible for many years & I love it! Now that my kids are working, I am able to put their tax info in as well. The only problem I had using the TT Deluxe version was it would not let me delete the state return I started but never filed for my daughter, so I had to pay for our state return. All in all, I recommend highly!
What's great about it: Very detailed for complex matters, yet simple to use in step by step method.
What's not so great: Would not delete state tax started for child so had to pay for mine.
Easy to use. I like the detailed questions and the constant checking to see if I've included everything. The State forms are a breeze. This is my 3rd year using TT. Never disappointed.
Pros: My job status changed this year (switched jobs, lost a job, got a raise or promotion)