Review by TL

I used TaxCut for several years until they dropped Mac a few years back when I switched to TurboTax. With all the negatives about TurboTax’s pricing, printing, etc. and the fact that TaxCut had seen their error and come back to Mac I switched for 08. The install was a breeze and it imported data from last year’s TurboTax perfectly. Software updates of IRS and state info was also very easy. Help screens, informational videos, etc are all well done. Question format clear and easy to understand. Easy to do taxes following the questions, but it is also easy to jump around, find forms, etc. I used their live chat for one question and the rep responded quickly. Includes extra tools like a calculator. I used the included DeductionPro but since I’d already figured most of that, I really didn’t use all its features, but it looks very good. Only one small beef in TaxCut–an itemized list feature doesn’t seem to work properly, but there was an easy workaround. I’ve used it to prepare and efile for several family members and will finish mine as soon as I get the last info from a brokerage, so the 5 free federal efiles are very nice. Just wish the state efiles were free too. My kids decided the $19.95 was too steep and printed/mailed theirs.

I’ve had training on H&R Block’s software they use in their storefronts, on AARP’s software used in their Tax-Aide program, and used TurboTax for 3 years. I can honestly say TaxCut is easier, more intuitive, has great help features, and is at the top of the pack. The inclusion of 5 free federal efiles is a real bonus. Now, if we can only get state efiles too, I’d give it a 5 star rating!!nnUPDATE: the itemized list feature now works. May have been my error or perhaps it was corrected in the last software update.