Tax Preparation Software

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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