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CNET Editors' review
TurboTax is big in tax software, so we were interest to see how its online tax service compared with similar services from other big names in the tax prep game. TurboTax Online offers five options: Free, Deluxe, Premier, Home & Business, and the new Military Edition. The Deluxe edition is the most popular. Why? Maybe its mission: maximize your deductions. TurboTax Deluxe 2012 is ready to help you prepare and file your 2012 taxes. Better yet, it's ready for the IRS: one of the advantages of online tax tools from trusted services is their ability to handle changes in the tax code better than you can, unless you're a tax accountant (or really, really into tax law). We're guessing you're neither, since you're reading this, but (like others) you need to file more than a basic return, yet you don't want to pay through the nose or anywhere else. As with other premium tax services, you can start TurboTax Deluxe for free and pay when you file, or simply use the tool for practice. The price is listed at $49.99 but was $29.99 when we visited the site. It includes live expert help via phone or chat.
While it's free to try TurboTax Deluxe, you'll need to sign in or create an account to use its online tax prep services, including the Deluxe service, but you only have to provide an e-mail address, username, and password, not any personal information or credit card data. Clicking Start My Return opens a secure connection to the Web-based tool. TurboTax Deluxe starts by asking you some questions about how you filed last year's taxes. As with similar services, TurboTax Deluxe uses simple questions to walk you gently through what would otherwise be a painful process (not as painful as actually paying taxes, but bad enough).
With its robust user guidance and simplicity, this service can take some of the sting out of preparing taxes. While we didn't actually e-file with Turbo Tax Deluxe 2012, we think it's a top choice if you own a home or have some small investments.
Publisher's Description
From Intuit:
TurboTax Deluxe 2012 was designed to do the hard work for you, so you can be confident that you're finding all the deductions you qualify for, the calculations are guaranteed 100% accurate, and you're getting your biggest tax refund possible. Choose TurboTax Deluxe if any of the following apply to you : you own your home, you donated to charity, you have significant education or medical expenses, you have childcare expenses, you have lots of deductions
Maximizes Your Tax Deductions -- Asks simple questions about your income, family situation and changes in your tax situation and credits. Then, based on your answers, searches for more than 350 deductions and credits to get you the biggest tax refund--guaranteed.
Looks for Deduction Opportunities as You Go -- Shows you which deductions you've taken, which deductions you haven't, and tells you how to qualify for just about any deduction, so you don't miss any opportunities to save.
Gets You the Maximum Deduction for Donations -- ItsDeductible (included) helps you accurately value items you donate to charity-no more guessing. Plus, it tracks other donations such as cash, mileage and stocks, to help you get every charitable deduction you're entitled to.
Handles Your Life Changes -- Changed jobs? Got married? Bought a home? Had a baby? TurboTax guides you through common life changes, explains how the changes will impact your taxes, and tells you what you can deduct.
Helps with Medical Expenses -- Does all the math and tells you if you qualify to deduct your medical expenses for maximum tax savings.
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All versions:
2.3 starsout of 27 votes
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Current version:
2.3 starsout of 9 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-9 of 9
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"with turbotax i have been audited EACH year"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
easier than by hand
Cons
since using turbotax i have been IRS audited each year. the problem always ends up with no fine no added amount...it is ALL about turbotax seeming not to do a good job on pensions and annuities. the IRS audit always says they have no record of the individual pensions or annuities. thus they audit me. they also do not recognize turbotax use of the General Rule
there is no way to add comments to the turbotax submission which might head matters off. i wish turbotax did a better job of listing each pension and each annuity along with the individual amounts in sucha manner as to be recognized by the IRS. I wish they also used the general rule application so that it too was recognized by the IRS.
while i HATE this aspect of turbotax, it seems the only game in town for me to use...all i have to do is bear up when i get those audit letters showing no reception of pension money, no general rule and thus a HUGE underpayment fine, interest fine and the gut wrenching IRS audit process.Summary
an annual IRS audit using turbotax !!!!
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"Want a bad time? want to be ripped off? good choice!!"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
- Filed my taxes, not quickly, but at least THAT happened.
- I was kept in the dark about what I was filing.
- Pretty fluid flash animations, wow!!!Cons
- Customer support? right...
- No serious information about taxes ever displayedSummary
Do you enjoy walking down a dark corridor heading to the slaughter house while being told you are doing great? Well this is your type of place!!! Turbo tax is made for the commonly found inept man who thinks there are better things to do in life besides properly filling out a form that is, well, a legal requirement for basic life in the U.S.
You will find yourself with very pretty flash animated menus, clicking away to the most "convenient" answer to the most utterly useless questions while the software decides your choice of path down the filing way, just to find yourself paying for what should be an otherwise free service. I filed what should have been a free 1040EZ only to find out they decided I should fill a 1040A, free? I don't think so. Should I know why I am getting charged? I wish! Should there be somewhere where the criteria for each form is specified? yeah right!! Just pay online because we know best and you know nothing. Oh btw, shut up, we don't like to hear your complaints.
They willingly omit information that is vital for you to know what your are doing, it's a blind point and shoot and you can't find out what form you have filled until you have paid in full and e-filed.
My federal filing should have been free, it was no different as it has been for the last 7 years and I could talk to NO ONE about it. Turbo tax, booo. Two thumbs down and a flaming doodie bag on your door step. -
"Cuts off address too short on State Returns"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
I have nothing good to say about an app that has such a glaring and unbelievably HUGE FLAW.
Cons
Unforgivable bug, the fed form was just fine, but the state form, TT automatically cuts off over 24 characters in the street address field. The last two numbers of my street number were cut off on the AZ return but just fine on the Fed return, I didn't notice til I called the state after it was taking too long.
Summary
This is an unforgivable bug from a company who has continued to provide consistently ATROCIOUS support to Mac users for literally YEARS. They should be made to pay fines for delays of peoples' tax returns with a bug like this.
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"Overtaxing is a good way to avoid future tax"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
Despite Debatable way on this tax avoidance system, it actually quite smart! It morph randomly over a period of time. Get it sshhh!
Cons
Basically, if you ask a smartie pants Accountant, he will say he can do a better job for a cheaper price, but you will see the difference in a year! seriously. Tax cut..wooohooo!
Summary
In short, if you take their trial balance ledger and compare to their general ledger, My Godness! the amount never tally! Good Job i must say, cause i will pay less tax. Am i right here "~" ?
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"The best out there"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
Eveything - it walks you through the entire process
Cons
none at this time
Summary
Try it I think you will like it
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"Very Good Product - Does not take the place of a CPA"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
Easy to use. Intuitive user interface. The Deluxe version pretty much hits on any and all issues that will impact over 95% of all individual income tax returns. Found no errors in system calculations in 2010 and 2011.
Cons
The main "Con" if you will is not really a con of TurboTax as it is a con of any tax preparation software marketed to the general population, the software is not a substitute for the services of a qualified tax professional such as a CPA. As is the case with most software, basically the story is "crap in = crap out".
Summary
Not a substitute for a CPA or other qualified tax professional.
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"Don't make a mistake or you have to start all over"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
Easy to use, simple.
Cons
If you make a mistake on entering data, you cannot pull up the form and correct the error. There is no way to correct forms on the online version. You have to pay more and get the downloaded version. IF you try to use CHAT, it takes you over an hour for help because they must have a fault product.
Summary
Don't use this unless you are are doing a 1040 EZ or something simple.
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"NEVER FILING WITH TURBO TAX AGAIN!!!"
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
Easy step by step
Cons
Took me FOREVER to get my taxes!!!
Summary
My sister and i filed our taxes the same day BUT my sister got them within a week of filing with them but mine took forever to process and we filed the same form and I filed a couple hours before her.I rather pay $50 down the street and get them within 2 weeks instead of waiting 3 weeks for it to process!!!
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"Good luck with customer service."
Version: TurboTax Deluxe 2012
Pros
It did my taxes
Cons
Price
Messed up my taxes... Twice.
Waiting more than an hour for customer service, who can't help.Summary
The software is fine and dandy until it puts something in the wrong box (and it was a software glitch, not me--the rep acknowledged that) and no one notices until after you submit, because you trust your tax software to know where to put your income on the form. Then, it just might not let you delete that income or even change it to zero, and the customer service rep might walk you through a process that ADDS the same amount somewhere else (two other places) and doesn't take it away at all. Suddenly, your generous return becomes thousands of dollars owed. Then, when you try to file an amended return, they just might keep telling you that you can do that and the form is available--maybe they'll even keep emailing you to remind you to go finish your amended return--but every time you sign in, it takes you to a screen that says to come back later when the form is ready.
Just maybe.
I'm never touching anything by Intuit again. Their customer service is tragic. I spent an hour on hold and then 45 minutes talking with two different departments who couldn't solve my problem. Next time, I'm supporting my local economy and working face-to-face with someone. Who cares that it costs $25 more; at least it won't be this mess. My time is worth more than that.
Results 1-9 of 9
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