Turbo Tax, anyone use it?

Jays72T · 02-21-2006, 02:38 PM

My accountant moved and I was thinking of doing our taxes with Turbo Tax Premier instead of finding another accountant. Our situation is pretty basic:
One income
2 kids, a 3.5 yrs old and a 7 mo. old
mortgage
Investments are mainly stocks

Has anybody used Turbo Tax or have advise?

Thanks,

Seahawk · 02-21-2006, 02:43 PM

Used it for years...I have very complicated taxes and once the basics are built, the program is excellent.
Make sure whatever your accountant has claimed in the past that has a tail, gets entered and tracked properly.
I actually enjoy using TT to get my money back!

David · David's Garage

I use it. I could handle the 1099's and other forms but the K-1 I get always kicks my ass. TT basic handles a K-1 with no problem. It's not the most user friendly program. I read a review recently that said TaxCut is easier, but I'm used to TT. Since we don't have state income tax in Texas, TT basic works fine for me.

djmcmath · 02-21-2006, 03:29 PM

Yes, numerous times. It's easy, it's all in English (like plain English, with neat little explanations, and examples, and stuff). This year, once I had all my paperwork together, I filled out the TT forms in about an hour, beer in hand.

pwd72s · 02-21-2006, 03:47 PM

Our (former) CPA must hate Turbo Tax...

Hetmann · 02-21-2006, 03:55 PM

Been using it for years. Works for me.

jrdavid68 · 02-21-2006, 03:56 PM

I started using TT around 1999. Last year was the first year my wife worked as an independent consultant and even though I used TT, I felt more comfortable going to a CPA that time. We have reasons to use her again this year, but I expect that next year I will go back to doing it all myself with TT again.

real550A · real550A's Garage

Another up vote for TT. I've done mine longhand forever, and tried TT two years ago. Simple and fast.

VaSteve · 02-21-2006, 04:34 PM

I am a CPA (not in public practice - yet!) and I use TaxCut. Just ended up buying it first a few years back when I wanted to e-file.

It supposedly can convert TT files from prior years.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Used it since 2003. Works pretty well- kinda neat watching the number in the top corner (amount you owe/will get back) change as you go along. I'd reccommend it.

Cheers,

Paul.

masraum · 02-21-2006, 06:26 PM

I've been using turbotax for at least 8 or 9 years. Works great.

We used it when my wife tried her hand at an internet business and it worked fine. You could probably save the money and use the 19.99 basic instead of the deluxe or premier. I guess if you sold some stuff you might want the premier.

19.99 basic -- all of the forms
34.99 deluxe -- basic plus more help files
60.00 premier -- premier plus more help files (some specific to selling stocks, bonds and mutual funds), schedule C businesses, and Rental properties.

This year seems to be even better than the last. Every year the program gets a little better.

I told my parents about it years ago. They pay taxes quarterly and were paying an acct tons to do the taxes. They use turbo tax now.

Jays72T · 02-21-2006, 10:12 PM

Thanks for the help, I'm sold. From what I've read and been told, it's a good way to go. Hoping for a refund of some sort.

Thanks again.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-22-2006, 03:56 AM

Just pay attention when you use it, my wife (accountant) gained her aunt and uncle another $2k or so after they filed with Turbo Tax. She said they missed some major deductions on the program, such as their kids. No fault of the program, just user error. If it wasn't for her, they would have lost $2k to save $80. Sometimes it's worth the money to pay somebody when you don't know what you're doing.

AFJuvat · 02-22-2006, 04:47 AM

Been using it (online version) for 4 years.

Already filed my taxes, my refund was deposited last week.

AFJ

legion · 02-22-2006, 05:04 AM

I've used the online version since 2001. Very easy to use. No taking up hard-drive space or wasting time installing software.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I have used TT, but got Tax Cut this year. I get whichever one is cheaper. I think Office Depot had is incorrectly priced this time, but they honored it. I paid $10 for state and federal, did everything in about an hour, not including printing and photocopying. Best $10 I ever spent.

Rot 911 · 02-22-2006, 08:14 AM

Has anyone used the Premier version that also includes rental property? If so, how did you like it. I've been using an accountant, but would really like to do it myself to see what is going on.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Been using it since 98. Do mine, parents, and kids in on evening.
There's another program that creates a spreadsheet and valuation for charitable donations that pretty good too.