How to Choose Tax Software

Taxes are a certainty, but a good tax program makes preparing the forms a lot easier - and could even save you some money. Helpful software includes Intuit's TurboTax, Kiplinger's TaxCut and Microsoft's TaxSaver.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Personal Organizers
• Personal Financial Software
• File Cabinets
• Tax Preparation Software
• File Folders
• Computers
• TaxCut
• TurboTax
• Calculators

1. Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices.

2. Compare features and prices of programs.

3. Compare charges for online filing.

4. Find out if the program generates state tax returns or if you have to pay extra for state income tax software.

5. Buy a deluxe version of a program if you want tax advice, IRS publications, and other information along with accurate form preparation.

6. See if the program will integrate with your personal financial management software (such as Quicken or Microsoft Money), if that will help you.

Tips & Warnings

• You might be able to deduct the cost of your tax preparation software from your federal income taxes.
• Some services allow you to prepare and file your return from their Web site for a fee.
• If your taxes are basic, you won't save that much time by doing them electronically.
• Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of any program you download or buy.
• You must use the current version of a tax program. It changes every year along with tax laws.

[paystubguy]

on 10/18/2009 I am self employed and used a free tax program from http://www.IncomeDocument.com to create then print custom income documentation! Print pay check stubs for yourself and your employee's! Print Future and past paystubs, w-2 forms and 1099 forms for all of your tax needs! http://www.IncomeDocument.com

[nolosoft]

on 4/4/2009 Do you mind have a look at TradeMax?? A full featured tax software specifically designed for active investors or traders who have multiple accounts to manage their trade data, maximize their gain/loss strategy, prepare their Schedule D.TradeMax? debuts innovative new tools that enable active investors or traders to effortlessly manage all their trades across various accounts.With customizable Vista? style ��Views��. TradeMax? delivers important investment account information right to the desktop, without the need to access Internet. Users can manage their trade data, maximize their gain/loss strategy, prepare their Schedule D. It can import trade data from all kinds of formats files, monitor realized/unrealized gains

on 11/22/2005 I have used Turbotax to do my taxes for about ten years, but this year I am going to forgo using it. Why? Because this year Intuit has copy protected Turbotax 2002 so that you effectively cannot use it on more than one computer (for example, your computers at work and at home).
Also, if you have a computer problem (hard drive death, new laptop, or new desktop) and wish to reload your copy on the new drive/computer and/or use it on your other computer at home or work, it requires a call and what others report as a long wait for Intuit customer service. That is necessary to get them to release an activation code, so you will be able to print and save your work on the new computer.
My problem is not with the idea of copy protection, but the fact that Intuit loads a virus-like program on your hard drive when you load TurboTax 2002 onto your computer. Many people have reported problems with their computers after loading Turbotax 2002. What else does it do that you do not have any knowledge or control over? It's much better to buy TaxCut or TaxSaver and avoid the agony and aggravation from Intuit, who is telling you, the customer, that they do not trust you and so they are copy protecting the software you paid to use. Do you want to use a product from a company who essentially tells you that they are assuming you are a crook? If you don't believe this note, check the info on Ziff Davis' Extreme Tech website, www.extremetech.com. The problems are discussed at http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,834915,00.asp. Look it up and then decide whether to buy Turbotax or one of the other programs.