TurboTax

The leading name in tax preparation software, TurboTax applies Intuit’s legendary ease to make taxpaying simpler. Whether helping first-time taxpayers find deductions or guiding investor through complex stock transactions and business deductions, TurboTax’s desktop and Web-based products are the definitive source for finding and taking deductions.

• With TurboTax, you will get the biggest refund you’re entitled to—guaranteed.* If you get a bigger refund using any other tax preparation method, we’ll give you your money back. It’s that simple.
• TurboTax simplifies taxes, so you can complete your return with speed, ease, and confidence.
• Concerned about being audited? With TurboTax, you don’t have to be. Our Audit Risk Meter™ helps you reduce your chance of an audit.
• More people trust their taxes to TurboTax than any other tax preparation method, so it’s no wonder it’s the #1 best-selling* tax software, year after year. In fact, last year alone, more federal returns were efiled with TurboTax than with all other consumer tax software combined.
• TurboTax consistently receives the highest marks from reviewers, making it the #1-rated tax software, year after year. In fact, USA Today said TurboTax 2007 was the “clear winner” over another tax software brand. And PC Magazine has ranked it #1 among the three leading tax software programs³ and once again gives it their Editors’ Choice award this year.
• TurboTax makes protecting your personal and financial information a top priority. Whether you choose a TurboTax CD, a TurboTax download, TurboTax Online, or free tax filing with TurboTax Online Free Edition, we’ve got you covered.

Supported Forms:
Federal Tax Forms Supported Varies by product:
TurboTax Free
TurboTax Basic
TurboTax Deluxe
TurboTax Premier

State Tax Forms Supported
All States Plus DC

Pricing:
Pricing Chart

Federal Free Edition + E-file

• Easy to use, easy to file, with extra help
• Handles big changes in your life
• Includes Audit Support Center
• Includes the IRS Tax Forms You Need
• State Return is additional $25.95

Federal Basic Edition + E-file – $19.95

• Includes all the feature from Free Edition PLUS
• Easy import features
• State Return is additional $34.95

Federal Deluxe Edition + E-file – $34.95

• Includes all the feature from Basic Edition PLUS
• Includes Audit Risk Meter
• Maximizes deductions for the biggest refund
• State Return is additional $34.95

Federal Premier Edition + E-file – $54.95

• Includes all the feature from Deluxe Edition PLUS
• Provides guidance for investments
• Uncovers deductions for rental property
• State Return is additional $34.95

State Return Price:
TurboTax State with Free Edition: $25.95 per state
TurboTax State with Basic, Deluxe, Premier: $34.95 per state

Free federal tax preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $30,000 or less or you are active military or you qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit. Includes Form 982 (Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief).

Reviews:
So far, I have found TurboTax to be the most user-friendly tax preparation software. I have used both the online and desktop version, and they are very similar. If you have been using the desktop version previously, you will find that migrating to the online version an easy task.

When it comes to user flow, TurboTax is still primarily based on the interview method. You are asked a series of questions and the software figures out which tax forms you need to fill out. In that past, I have found such method too cumbersome and time-consuming. However, they have improved their process since then and made it into a hybrid of interview-based and form-based methods. For beginners, you can still follow the interview questions which provide most guidance. For seasoned users, you are free to jump to specific forms that you know you need to use.

One cool feature is that for every page you navigate to, there is a side panel filled with popular questions raised by the “Live Community” regarding to the specific topics on that page.

Similar to H&R Block, TurboTax charges between $25.95 to $34.95 for each State E-File. Bottom line is that if you are looking for the best consumer tax preparation software, TurboTax is the leading candidate. However, it’s definitely not the cheapest. My recommendation is that unless your tax return is complicated enough to take advantage of the many features that TurboTax has to offer, look for a cheaper solution that can complete your tax return just as effectively.

Screenshots:
W2 Form

Income & Wages