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by Kathy Yakal
This in-depth article provides tips for choosing the right tax-preparation software and outlines the differences between free, online and desktop versions of popular software programs. Full reviews for each… of the top three programs are included. Kathy Yakal says that Turbo Tax has a better interface than TaxCut and provides straightforward guidance. TaxCut, on the other hand, provides more in-depth help, while TaxACT doesn't provide enough.
by Shelley Elmblad
Shelly Elmblad, About.com's guide to financial software, reviews the 2008 versions of TaxCut and TurboTax. She compares the interview features of both as well as accuracy and error safeguards, import… abilities, electronic filing options, support features and pricing. Elmblad says both programs are comprehensive and reliable, but adds that TaxCut is the better value for both the online and desktop versions. Elmblad also provides several related articles on her site, including a brief explanation of the differences between basic, deluxe and premier tax-preparation programs. It should be noted that Elmblad is not a tax professional. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Tina Orem
PC World reviews and rates five online tax-filing services. The services are compared with each other, but not with desktop software. Tina Oren files mock returns to test each service, encountering problems… and annoyances that might plague any user. We'd like to know how the desktop versions of the same programs compare, but otherwise, these reviews are up-to-date and as useful as any we found. Though Orem says it was a close race, she gives TurboTax the nod for 2008; the software did the best job spotting problems and recommending how to fix them.
by Jessica Dolcourt
CNet.com updates its reviews of software for the 2008 tax year, comparing TurboTax Deluxe to TaxCut Premium. In detailed and easy-to-read reviews for each, Jessica Dolcourt gives the edge to TurboTax, with… its more in-depth interview, income importing and self-help tools. TaxCut gets credit for its better support options (including one free session of professional tax advice with the Premium and Business editions).
by Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger compares four online tax-prep services: TurboTax, TaxCut, TaxACT and TaxSlayer. He prepares a simple return plus a more complicated return with each application. For the basic return, TaxACT… and TaxSlayer are the best choices, with low costs and quick preparation. But for the more complex returns with self-employment income, Reisinger says you use TurboTax Online, which calculated at least $1,000 in lower taxes than the other three services due to its much better interview process for those with business or investment income.
by M.P. Dunleavy
by Jean Murray
Jean Murray, About.com's guide to U.S. business law and taxes, compares the home and business versions of TurboTax and TaxCut. She says that both programs are easy to work with and that both programs gave… her the same results. However, she adds, TurboTax gave her more options, while TaxCut simply made the decisions for her. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Paul Lockwood
by William Perez
Tax professional William Perez, About.com's guide to taxes, reviews and ranks four 2007 tax-preparation applications. Perez also compares 10 free services available through the IRS Free File program. He… spells out his test scenarios and says each program gets at least three hours of testing. Programs are compared with each other and with previous versions. Of great value, Perez lists services that aren't recommended and also identifies the worst services. He adds brief comments of explanation. His criteria are cost, ease of use, speed and accuracy. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
by Contributors to Amazon.com
In their reviews, Amazon users describe mixed opinions on tax-prep software this year. Many former TurboTax customers have switched to TaxCut after price increases and changes to the number of returns you… can prepare with the software (since reversed). Others still claim that TurboTax is worth the higher fees. At the same time, several TaxCut customers are angered by the high charges for filing state returns online. Still, TaxCut gets slightly higher ratings, though both programs' overall ratings are only average. Consumer reviews here also reveal issues with software that would matter to filers in the same situation.
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
On the surface, Top Ten Reviews looks like a terrific review source. Other sources only cover the two or three leading programs, and consumers want to know about other programs, especially cheaper… alternatives. The ranking of 10 programs fits a bell curve, which is atypical but impressive, from a site that commonly gives excellent scores to most products. However, no testing is described. The short reviews just address features and the interface. Most reviews are largely unchanged from last year's chart.
by Susan B. Anders and Carol M. Fischer
This article, geared toward tax professionals, chronicles the results of a 2008 survey of New York CPAs. Two hundred and forty five professionals rate 18 professional tax-prep applications on a scale of one… to five. Lacerte Tax receives the highest overall rating of 4.34 and has continued to increase its rating in each of the past three years. Ultra Tax CS ranks second, while the popular CCH ProSystem fell to third place for the first time ever.
by Yardena Arar
This article really doesn't compare software, but there's great information here on the IRS Free E-File program, which has been expanded for 2008 taxes. For the first year ever, free electronic filing will… be available to all taxpayers, regardless of income. The advantages and limitations of those programs are discussed in this article as well as a comparison of web-based and desktop tax software. No specific programs, however, are rated or compared.
by Philip Michaels
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