Turbo Tax is the Cadillac of the tax software programs.
Lots of people swear by it.
It is easy to use and even allows the user to import W-2 wage earning information directly from 100,000 participating employers and institutions.
It is really simple for first time users to choose the "Guide Me' option that will prompt them and hold their hand through the entire process.
More experienced users might want to choose "Select Specific Topics' in order to make their filing faster.
Users are sometimes surprised to find that e-filing through turbo Tax for federal and state returns can involve additional charges.
This year, the price to use turbo tax desktop applications includes the fee for federal filings, although additional charges might ensue for state e-filing.
The cost goes down if you are filing more than a single return, as all of Turbo tax's desktop applications allow you to prepare and print an unlimited amount of returns and to e-file up to five federal returns at no extra cost.
H&R Bloch Tax Cut H&R Bloch Tax Cut is another desktop software application that allows you to e-file up to five returns for one price.
E-filing state returns costs an additional $19.
95.
Tax Cut does not import earning information directly from employers or any other entities.
Navigating Tax Cut is not difficult, although it seems to ask a lot of questions regarding foreign trusts and hurricane damage.
If you have multiple W-2s and several taxable investments, Turbo Tax seems like a superior choice.
Both Tax Cut and Turbo Tax will import information from one another, in the event you decide to switch programs.
If you are thinking of purchasing a Tax Cut on-line product, be careful of the costs.
The on-line product seems like a good deal at $39.
95, until you realize that the state return will cost you an additional $29.
95, which brings you to $69.
90.
That happens to be what the desktop version will cost, only the desktop will allow you to prepare and e-file four more returns and state returns are only an additional $19.
95.
That makes the desktop version of Tax Cut a much better bargain than the on-line version.
Tax Act Tax Act is the bargain of the bunch, for those who don't need hand holding through the process.
The desktop version costs $19,95 with one federal e-filing and a state return.
The state filing is only $7.
95.
The on-line bundle includes a state and federal e-filing for a total of only $16.
95.