bit-tech Shopping: Intuit TurboTax Home & Business 2007 (Full Product)

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3

Strengths: very user friendly to use - no problems using this product.

Weaknesses: you have to pay extra to efile return - one free efile should be included - years ago they did include one free efile

Summary: Very dependable tax return product - highly recommend this for all who file their tax return from home. I have been using the Turbo Tax program for several years would not use nothing else.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 15

Strengths: Does the math for you. Program is slightly easier to use than last year. Interview is more streamlined. Ability to save tax returns as PDF files for records.

Weaknesses: Could use the online help beefed up more.

Summary: Much easier to use the program than to do your own taxes -- although I admit that I do understand the tax code less than if I did my return the old fashioned way. Still, it does save time and frees you from having to worry about math problem. One thing to recognize about all tax software is that your return is only as good as the data you put into it -- garbage in, garbage out. The program will only prevent you from making some mistakes that are inconsistent with the tax codes, not all. Don't rely too much on the different programs' audit feature and internal checks. Still, I find it vastly easier to do my taxes with TurboTax -- and it continues to improve marginally each year.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: Clearly and easily leads you through

Weaknesses: May not need more than TurboTax Deluxe

Summary: Clearly and easily leads you through all the possible income sources and write-off categories.All TurboTax versions could use the following add'l features:1) to allow you to jump back & forth between your federal and state tax returns2) to allow you to jump to a certain income or writeoff category instead of having to navigate through each category to get to the category you want to review or revise3) needs an info section on the various types of 1099-R's for retirement income (e.g. IRA vs annuity vs pension) since so many of us baby boomers are or will be retiring in the near future

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Years

Strengths: Ease of use, tax subject coverage, importing of W2's. Multiple entry options throughout. Integration to past information for basic entry and comparisons/analysis.

Weaknesses: Not sure if this is TurboTax or the sources, but trying to get 1099 information has never really worked well. Would like it to work like the W2 import process, instead of web site sign-on.

Summary: We have a multitude of income and expense/deduction options every year, and TurboTax Home & Business covers all of them to my satisfaction. Some of the tax areas are the same for me each year, so they are very quick and easy to input. There are new ones too, and TuboTax allows me to easily switch to a guided mode for help. I'm sure there are competitive products that may have some better features or whatever, but TurboTax is my product of choice.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 10 Days

Strengths: Ease of use

Weaknesses: Filing fee.

Summary: It keeps getting easier, year after year. The interview seems very comprehensive and easy to understand. The filing fee of $17.95 seems a little high, but it's still worth it.