EmailBest Reviewed
Tax Preparation Software
- Best tax software for complex returns Intuit TurboTax Premier Federal + State 2008 *Est. $75
- Best tax software Intuit TurboTax Deluxe Federal + State 2008 *Est. $50
- Tax software for simple returns TaxACT 2008 Ultimate *Est. $20
- Free online tax preparation IRS Free File Program *Est. $0
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Best tax software
- Good for basic returns
- Extra help for charitable contributions and itemized deductions
- Good value -- includes state software
- Not appropriate for more complicated returns
The Deluxe version of Intuit TurboTax tax preparation software won't be of much help if you're dealing with multiple stock sales or mortgage refinancing -- that's when you need the Premier version (*est. $75) -- but reviewers say it does a good job with basic federal and state tax preparation. TurboTax Deluxe features videos and extra help for itemized deductions (Schedule A) and charitable contributions, but no advanced help for investments or rental property income. The even cheaper Basic version of TurboTax (*est. $20) only covers federal income taxes, and does not include the charitable contribution tool; for the money, reviewers prefer TaxACT 2007 Ultimate (*est. $20). There's also a free IRS tool, but you can only use it if your adjusted gross income is under $54,000.
Intuit TurboTax tax preparation software doesn't suffer for attention from reviewers; we were especially impressed with comparative tests of this software by PC Magazine, CNet.com and About.com's guides to taxes and financial software.
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Our Sources
Carroll compares H&R Block TaxCut Home & Business, Intuit TurboTax Home & Business and TaxACT Deluxe and State for the 2007 tax year, concluding that TurboTax retains a tiny edge over TaxCut.
Review: The Tax Man Cometh, Sean Carroll, Feb. 18, 2008
2. CNET
CNet.com's editors compare Intuit TurboTax Deluxe and H&R Block TaxCut in great detail. TurboTax gets the edge for 2007, but Wenzel says editors were able to stump both programs with questions about reporting prior-year state tax refunds.
Review: Intuit TurboTax 2007 Deluxe, Elsa Wenzel, Feb. 12, 2008
3. About.com
Elmblad, About.com's guide to financial software, reviews the 2007 versions of TaxCut and Intuit TurboTax (although it's unclear which version of the Intuit software is being reviewed). She says both programs are comprehensive and reliable, and proves her case with detailed comparison charts. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: TaxCut vs. TurboTax: Which Tax Software to Buy for Tax Year 2007, Shelley Elmblad, Jan. 29, 2008
4. About.com
Tax professional William Perez, About.com's guide to taxes, reviews and ranks four tax preparation software programs, including an unspecified version of Intuit TurboTax and TaxCut, and compares them to 10 free services available through the IRS Free File program. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top 5 Tax Software, William Perez, Feb. 8, 2008
Tax Preparation Software Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
H&R Block TaxCut 2008 Premium Federal + State + e-file
 from Amazon.com New: $3.79 In Stock.
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