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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Free online tax preparation
- Free preparation for federal returns
- Free e-filing
- Income limits to use software
- State filing may require a fee
- Must work online
February 2009. The IRS Free File Program uses software from TurboTax, TaxCut, TaxACT and many other vendors, and is available via the IRS website for the many filers whose adjusted gross income is less than $56,000. Those with a higher income can still prepare and e-file federal taxes for free using online IRS forms. No additional guidance is available, however. Preparation of state taxes isn't always free, however, and not everyone is comfortable preparing their taxes online. If you prefer to work on your taxes on your home computer while offline, reviewers say your best options are TaxACT 2008 Ultimate (*est. $20) for fairly simple returns, or either TurboTax Deluxe (*est. $50) or TurboTax Premier (*est. $75) for more complicated returns. The advantages are that you'll have a hard copy of the software that you can install on each computer in your home, and you'll be able to work on your taxes offline.
The only source we found that goes into great depth about the IRS Free File Program is About.com's guide to taxes, a seasoned tax professional who compares this service to packaged software from Intuit and TaxACT. PC World does not review the free programs, but does offer useful information about the Free File Program.
Our Sources
1. About.com
About.com's guide to taxes, William Perez, reviews and ranks four tax preparation software programs, and compares them to 10 free services available through the IRS Free File program, based on an assessment of their cost, ease of use, speed and accuracy. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top 5 Tax Software, William Perez
2. PC World
Yardena Arar discusses changes to the Free E-File program for the 2008 tax year. For the first year ever, all taxpayers are eligible to prepare and e-file federal taxes online; however, guided software programs are only available to those with an adjusted gross income of $56,000 or less.
Review: Tax Software 2008: A Big E-File Freebie, Yardena Arar, Jan. 15, 2009
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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