I have been doing taxes for myself for 55 years and worked in tax offices for nearly eight years. I have used Turbo tax countless times and was always pleased at how easy it was to move from not just page to page but from one section to another. This years form was ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. It has never taken me so long to get done. Extremely confusing. I will probably to back to doing my return by pen and paper all WITH MY OWN BRAIN. I'm sure I can get it done with one sitting not 5 or 6.like this year.
I bought a 2012 year tax software because I wanted to be extra sure that my past due tax return is accurate, and that the software would apply the past applicable rules to my return. I also wanted to ensure that any applicable late payment penalty and interest would also be calculated.
TT did everything for me, except that it was not exactly clear whether it had calculated the penalty on my late tax payment or it found that no penalty was applicable. That was the only part that I had to do on my own to double-check that there was indeed no late payment penalty due on my tax payment. Didn't take long though, but that's still something that could possibly be improved.
If the return is being prepared after the last date for filing regular returns, the software should at least give an option to explicitly show a worksheet calculating the applicable penalty and interest, and show what's due or if not applicable justify why no penalty or interest is due.
Leaving that single point, to me it is an excellent product.
What's great about it: Had exactly what I needed - ability to apply 2012 rules to a past due return
What's not so great: Was not clear on whether a penalty would apply to my late tax payment
TurboTax a great software! Auto renewal for download is very convenient. Topics and suggestions very straight forward. Gave the return a test by taking results to a CPA for review just to make sure of my accuracy of input and results as done by the software and CPA's completed tax return matched TurboTax exactly!. Highly recommend to anyone!
What's great about it: All necessary topics discussed with great tips and insight