TurboTax Basic 2003

by Intuit

Product Features

• Tax software guides users through IRS returns
• Interview-based wizard system
• Up-to-date with latest federal tax law
• Checks math and audit flags
• Very simple to use

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0000EI99J
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 1, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,352 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

TurboTax Basic tax software guides you through your return step-by-step. It asks you simple questions that are personalized for your tax situation, and puts your answers on IRS-approved forms. TurboTax Basic is also up to date with all the latest tax law changes. The software does all the math; plus, your return is double-checked for accuracy, audit flags and overlooked deductions so you can have confidence in your return.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No Activation! Still Better Than TaxCut, November 13, 2003

By 

David Wilson (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TurboTax Basic 2003 (CD-ROM)

This is my sixth year using Quicken TurboTax and it will be my forth year using the state tax version. Intuit listened and dropped the product activation this year. I know that it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth but I'm glad they dropped it. Still, I can't imagine going back to pen and paper to do taxes. The program takes you step-by-step through the tax process by asking you questions about the various sections of the forms. It also prompts you to make you remember about things that may have slipped you mind, like other deductions. And, it makes suggestions for deductions that you may not have thought about. At the end of the process you can print out the forms for mailing in the traditional format or in a format that's easy for the IRS computers to read. In addition, you can opt to file electronicly. The help section IS very helpful. It actually makes sense of the rules and instructions for filing your taxes and explains the relevant sections of the tax code in easy to understand language. My one suggestion is that you have all your papers with you before you start the process. You can, of course, save your work and come back to finish or edit it, but it is a pain to be half way through and remember that your mortgage statement is two floors away.

I tried Taxcut last year because of the product activation on TurboTax. I had problems with it right off. It stated on the box that you could import TurboTax files but when I tried it wouldn't let me. The Taxcut web site suggested that this was a common problem and that you had to edit your TurboTax file (with TurboTax) to bring it down to a certain size. Still, it didn't tell you what that size was ok or really give you any idea on what to cut out. (I thought all of the our tax info was important).

My advice: TurboTax is still the best tax prep software. Don't do your taxes without it.

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only 4 this time since, January 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: TurboTax Basic 2003 (CD-ROM)

it wouldn't import from ItsDeductible.

However, for $20.00, it does everything I ever need it to do. Their website is easy to follow (I've never needed it, though). The only reason to get the next model is if you want money advice. This one does forms, it's just too easy. It thinks of things you wouldn't have, etc, etc. What can I say, I've used this since 1998, tried TaxCut once and it was horrific! I just get my papers out and sit down and answer the questions. Woohoo!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not nearly as good a program as it was in the past, March 10, 2004

By 

j gilbert (Benton City, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TurboTax Basic 2003 (CD-ROM)

I have used TurboTax for years (except for last year, when I used TaxCut due to rumors that Intuit's installer program ended up leaving spyware on your computer). I am self-employed and use a home office, and TurboTax was always easy to use even with those added details in my tax return. HOWEVER, this year, the Basic version was NOT nearly as simple, straightforward or user-friendly as in the past. For the life of me, I couldn't get the "EasyStep" interview to take me directly to the section on entering home business expenses. I had to go at it backwards, which made the entire process more confusing. I spent hours longer doing my taxes than I ever did in the past. A friend of mine also had the same problem, so it wasn't just me. I have no idea what they did: I am wondering if they've cut down the features on the BASIC program so that those like me are forced to use the more expensive versions (which was never the case in the past -- the BASIC was just fine before). In any event, I most definitely will be less inclined to use TurboTax next year and will try and pore over reviews of other tax preparation products to get something more simple to use.