TaxCut 2008 Basic+efile (Old Version) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm one of those people that would rather go to a dentist than fill out my taxes. To me this program was and is a godsend. Yes, you can go to a tax preparer and pay several times more but I don't think the preparer will do a better job. For the average IRS return nothing beats this. It takes a lot of pain out of doing taxes and can catch deductions you may miss. Great job.

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Easy, low-cost tax preparation made simple. Quickly import last year's TaxCut online or software data, H&R Block office data and TurboTax data. Answer simple questions and the program does the rest. Prepare and e-file your simple federal return quickly and easily.

Easy, low-cost tax preparation made simple.
Fast: Quickly imports last year's TaxCut online or software data, TurboTax software data and H&R Block office data (only available from participating H&R Block offices).
Easy: Answer simple questions and the program does the rest.
Accurate: The program automatically double-checks your return for errors and omissions.
Economic: Everything you need to complete a simple federal tax return at a great low price.
Supported: Get real audit support from a real person--really. Worry-free Audit Support included when you e-file. In the event of an audit, receive personal assistance from an IRS-licensed Enrolled Agent with audit representation expertise--not a self-serve Web site or FAQ page.

Product Info
Easy Interview Our interview asks simple questions to quickly walk you through the tax preparation process.
Seamless Imports Quickly and easily imports last year's TaxCut online or software data, TurboTax software data and H&R Block office data (only available from participating H&R Block offices).
Error Check The program automatically double checks your return for errors and omissions.
Advice for Changing Tax Situations Receive tax guidance on changes in your life, such as getting married, having a baby, buying a home and more.
Get Your Refund Fast E-file your return, and get your refund in as little as 8-15 days.
Convenient Payment Options Pay for your preparation fees with your refund.
Guarantees
Worry-free Audit Support You can rest easy knowing H&R Block is there to help in the rare event of an audit. Included when you e-file your federal return with us.
Accurate Calculations Guaranteed If TaxCut makes a calculation mistake, we'll pay resulting IRS penalties plus interest. See the license agreement for details.
Maximum Refund Guarantee Get the maximum refund you're entitled to or your return is free.

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H&R Block At Home 2009 Deluxe Federal + State + eFile Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)(Note: This review also shows up in the reviews for the download version. Don't ask me why Amazon doesn't show the reviews in both places for what's really the same product, with just different delivery mechanisms. I bought the box version, if you want to know.)
This part written Dec 9, 2009 (see updated comments below)
This is of course a preliminary review (written Dec 9 based on use in the last few days). At this time one can't do more than a rough cut estimate of the tax return -- the IRS forms aren't finalized, the state forms aren't available, and of course the various income reports (W2, 1099, etc.) aren't out yet.
I don't have a super complicated tax situation this year: it just requires some things that a good tax program should handle easily. So far this program seems to do just fine. I found it easy to use, and found that imports from Quicken and from TXF files worked without any problems. Schedules A, B, and D worked just fine, and the related screens were easy to use and understand. Excess FICA was calculated correctly, as was the child tax credit. The AMT calculation does of course remain weirdly complicated (once a year I mutter to myself about all politicians in DC), but the program does take care of it with no apparent problems.
I used TaxCut last year -- chose it over TurboTax just because of cost, and was quite satisfied. I'm not convinced this year either that you get value for the extra you pay for TT. (Incidentally, note that if you have investment income you probably need to get TT Premium, so the price would be nearly double that of HRB Deluxe.)
A warning I wrote in my review last year seems worth repeating: Don't expect a tax program to apply tax laws correctly in all circumstances; for anything at all out of the ordinary, make sure you double-check against an IRS guide or another guide like JK Lasser's. The folks who design and write and test the programs make mistakes, too. And for the same reason, give the calculations a sanity check, don't just use the program blindly, or you could get tripped up by a software bug that wasn't caught.
I will update this review in Jan/Feb when I've had a chance to do more with it.
Update Jan 29, 2010:
I have now done a first complete pass on my taxes, based on W2s, 1099s, and some projected 1099s. I also have had an opportunity to use TurboTax Deluxe (I got a free copy, legally), so have been able to compare the two products.
I continue to like HRB Deluxe. It's easy to use, and has been trouble-free. There are a couple of things I particularly like, that might be worth mentioning. (1) They show you when the next update is expected, so you don't waste your time running the update check until there is something. (2) Entering info from interest paying mutual funds that might have muni income (tax-free for Fed) is simple: HRB gives you a simple way to enter the amount that's tax-free in your state, and takes care of it without hassle. TT can also deal with this, but I don't like their way as much (they create a separate 1099 to split the income into two parts).
Interestingly, TTD is also noticeably slower starting up than HRBD. Don't know why.
The one advantage TT does have over HRB is on coverage of automated downloads: TT can download your 1099 info from a larger set of institutions than can HRB. W2 downloads look the same between the two. This does save some time, and could be sufficient to be a decider for some. Not for me.


Click Here to see more reviews about: H&R Block At Home 2009 Deluxe Federal + State + eFile

H&R Block At Home Deluxe includes everything you need to easily complete your federal and state taxes, plus five free federal e-files. With a new, easy-to-use interface, H&R Block At Home Deluxe searches for hundreds of deductions to get customers the biggest refund.
Ideal for homeowners and investors, the program includes personalized tax guidance and features available only from H&R Block, such as built-in expertise and audit support with guidance, plus an H&R Block enrolled agent to represent customers in the event of an audit.


At Home Deluxe Investors / Homeowners The right choice for customers with more complex tax situations to easily complete their federal and state returns. Includes five free federal e-files and built-in expertise available only from H&R Block!

Includes these features:
Customized interview process to help customers easily complete their federal and state taxes.
Five free federal e-files.
Personalized tax guidance for popular occupations and specific deductions, plus answers to FAQs.
Audit support with guidance, plus an H&R Block enrolled agent to represent you in the event of an audit. Included when you file a federal return.
Guidance for reporting investments, dividends, home sales, and retirement income.
Advice, tips, and planning tools for the upcoming year.
Easily import W-2, 1099, and data from last year's return.
Quickly import data from TaxCut, TurboTax, Quicken, Microsoft Money, and H&R Block DeductionPro software.
H&R Block DeductionPro software to maximize tax savings from donations.


Compare At Home Editions

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H&R Block At Home 2010 Deluxe Federal + eFile Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This program refused to install on my window 7 units; 32 or 64 verison. This is after I exchanged the program twice - same result; Called the tech support and it still doesn't work.
However, It does works on my old xp machine; I haven't test it on my mac yet - but I think it should work okay.
But seeing how their software had been plague by tech issues - (last year, I also exchanged the disk twice due to disks failure, one had no program on it.) I am guessing I will start using other tax program next year - too bad too because they were great programs.

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H&R Block At Home Deluxe (No State)
Ideal for Investors and Homeowners
The right choice for customers with more complex tax situations to easily complete their federal returns. Includes the H&R Block tax expertise your customers trust--plus our Maximum Refund Guarantee.

H&R Block At Home Deluxe includes everything your customers need to easily complete their federal taxes--with the tax expertise they trust. With an easy-to-use interface, H&R Block At Home Deluxe searches for hundreds of deductions to get customers the biggest refund. Ideal for homeowners and investors, the program includes personalized tax guidance and features available only from H&R Block, such as built-in expertise and audit support, expert advice from our community of tax specialists, an H&R Block enrolled agent to represent customers in the event of an audit, and, best of all, our Maximum Refund Guarantee.

Features: Screenshot. View larger.

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H&R Block At Home 2010 Deluxe Federal + State + eFile Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've used H&R Block's tax software every year since 2004. Always some annoyances, but most of it is excellent.
Price Dips: Below 25 buckss. Sometimes below 20. It went to 22.49 on Jan 12, 2011, for example. Amazon has always had the best price. There's an "Online Price Alert" that will email you whenever this or any amazon product dips below your target price. Google it. It's nicely done.
The Download Version is often a few dollars less.
Unlimited number of tax returns: (family members, what-if copies of your return, etc.) I think TurboTax also lets you do this now, but in the past TurboTax pulled some real nasty tricks with licensing/copy protection, and they continue to charge 18-45% more than H&R Block.
It includes unlimited paper filings for one state ($ 19.95 extra per state e-file). So, I just file state returns on paper.
"Free" tax softwares like TaxAct might be the thing if your return is very simple, but their better versions are almost as expensive as H&R Block at low tide, and not as good.
So far, the 2010 version is just like 2009. (I did a side-by-side run-through.)
Typical minor annoyances: (all carry-overs from 2009)
- Upgrade pitches: They weave it into the interview and make it sound as if "an upgrade to Premium is advised for your situation" even when it makes little or no sense for your situation. Sleazy.
- Unclear wording in a few places, although most wording is very clear and accurate.
- Privacy Policy: During install, you can hit a "View Privacy Policy" button, which as of Dec 8, 2010 does not work. Or go to a 37-character url (must hand type it...no copy-paste). You can then view their "Privacy Notice" or their equally obscure "Online Privacy Practices and Principles." Both have a reassuring tone while offering rather little privacy protection from marketing partners but your information will be used "in accordance with law."
- Copy...Paste from Interview screens. That would be handy at times. No can do. Can't print them either. Only way I found is ALT + PrintScreen, then paste the graphic into Word or a paint program.


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H&R Block At Home Deluxe
Ideal for Investors and Homeowners
The right choice for customers with more complex tax situations to easily complete their federal and state returns. Includes the H&R Block tax expertise your customers trust--plus our Maximum Refund Guarantee.

H&R Block At Home Deluxe includes everything your customers need to easily complete their federal and state taxes--with the tax expertise they trust. With an easy-to-use interface, H&R Block At Home Deluxe searches for hundreds of deductions to get customers the biggest refund. Ideal for homeowners and investors, the program includes personalized tax guidance and features available only from H&R Block, such as built-in expertise and audit support, expert advice from our community of tax specialists, an H&R Block enrolled agent to represent customers in the event of an audit, and, best of all, our Maximum Refund Guarantee.

Features: Screenshot. View larger.

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H&R Block At Home 2010 Deluxe Federal + State + eFile Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Downloading Notes:
Downloading via Amazon is pretty smooth and painless. You can easily download it again later, even to a different computer if need be. Your authorization is stored in your account at amazon. You need to first install Amazon's special Downloader software. That's also fairly painless.
Product Review:
I've used H&R Block's tax software every year since 2004. Always some annoyances, but most of it is excellent.
Price Dips: Below 25 buckss. Sometimes below 20. It went to 22.49 on Jan 12, 2011, for example. Amazon has always had the best price. There's an "Online Price Alert" that will email you whenever this or any amazon product dips below your target price. Google it. It's nicely done.
Unlimited number of tax returns: (family members, what-if copies of your return, etc.) I think TurboTax also lets you do this now, but in the past TurboTax pulled some real nasty tricks with licensing/copy protection, and they continue to charge 18-45% more than H&R Block.
It includes unlimited paper filings for one state ($ 19.95 extra per state e-file). So, I just file state returns on paper.
"Free" tax softwares like TaxAct might be the thing if your return is very simple, but their better versions are almost as expensive as H&R Block at low tide, and not as good.
The 2010 version is just like 2009. (I did a side-by-side run-through.)
Typical minor annoyances: (all carry-overs from 2009)
- Upgrade pitches: They weave it into the interview and make it sound as if "an upgrade to Premium is advised for your situation" even when it makes little or no sense for your situation. Sleazy.
- Unclear wording in a few places, although most wording is very clear and accurate.
- Privacy Policy: Hard to view. Hard to read. Has reassuring tone, but doesn't hold much water.
- Copy...Paste from Interview screens: That would be handy at times. No can do. Can't print them either. Only way I found is ALT + PrintScreen, then paste the graphic into Word or a paint program.


Click Here to see more reviews about: H&R Block At Home 2010 Deluxe Federal + State + eFile


H&R Block At Home Deluxe
Ideal for Investors and Homeowners
The right choice for customers with more complex tax situations to easily complete their federal and state returns. Includes the H&R Block tax expertise your customers trust--plus our Maximum Refund Guarantee.

H&R Block At Home Deluxe includes everything your customers need to easily complete their federal and state taxes--with the tax expertise they trust. With an easy-to-use interface, H&R Block At Home Deluxe searches for hundreds of deductions to get customers the biggest refund. Ideal for homeowners and investors, the program includes personalized tax guidance and features available only from H&R Block, such as built-in expertise and audit support, expert advice from our community of tax specialists, an H&R Block enrolled agent to represent customers in the event of an audit, and, best of all, our Maximum Refund Guarantee.

Features: Screenshot. View larger.

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