Customer Reviews

TaxCut Standard 2002 Filing Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

The transition was reasonably smooth since it not only imports basic data, but also schedule B stuff so you don't have to re-enter it. There's a $$ rebate in the box, so effective cost is $$. It has a good 'What if' section so you can play with alternative scenario's like Roth conversions. What you don't get are those silly 'talking head' advisors and a state version. I use a spreadsheet for the state since the calculation and fill-in is really simple...if your state is highly complex, get a deluxe. Oh, and I was able to reach and talk to a helpful tech suppport person on a minor issue....try that with anything made by intuit without whipping out your plastic.

First off, there is very little reason to hire your tax form out to some bozo at H&R Block, and none at all for fiddling about with paper forms, a pencil, and an eraser. The software really does the job. I have been using H&R Block Tax Cut for the past three years, and I favor the basic edition without bells and whistles. Why buy more than you need? The "deluxe" and "platinum" (what's next, titanium?) versions have very little to do with the nitty gritty of filling out a tax form. Basic is better! -- Dan Ford

Personally, I think the government should supply us with free programs for tax calculations - it's their complicated rules after all. I'm convinced it would save everyone money by eliminating errors. But until that happens a software program is well worth the investment.

After reading all the negative reviews on TurboTax, I opted for TaxCut this year. I want Intuit to realize that I have no interest in buying software that installs spyware and advertisements on my computer. ...P>TaxCut did try to put Earthlink on my computer, but after a refusal it never tried again. I guess I can live with that.

It was easy to use and almost as straight forward as TurboTax. I had no problems with installation or updating it. The only reason I knocked it down to 4 stars is because the appearance was a little bit distorted. The boxes where data is typed in (e.g W-2 forms) had the numbers not really aligned with the boxes. Also, all the text was in a little box using up maybe 30% of the screen. Most of the time that was fine, but sometimes you had to scroll down to see the remaining data. If you weren't careful, you could miss the fact that there was more to be seen. Not a big problem - but it does leave the possibility someone will miss a box or instructions that way. And generally, it's just not as user-friendly and obvious as it could be. So, it just needs a few tweaks. The important thing is it works and I was done in 1.5 hours.

...

I have used TurboTax for several years, but downloaded TaxCut for 2002 after reading about the C-dilla software issue. If you've used TurboTax before, you'll be disappointed in TaxCut.

First the good. TaxCut downloaded and installed easily. It imported my 2001 TurboTax tax information easily.

Now the bad.

First, the interview failed to ask about my real estate taxes as I was entering my deductions. Fortunately I remembered, but I had to search around to find out where I had to go to enter them, otherwise I would have missed out on that significant deduction. What else might have been missed?

The second problem is related to the code boxes in 12a and 12b of my W-2 forms. I have two W-2s, each of which has an amount in 12a (which has code C) and box 12b (which has code D). I entered the codes and amounts appropriate for each W-2. However, when I finished filling out my Federal return, TaxCut went through it's check, gave me several warnings, and in the process of reviewing those warnings, I noticed that on one W-2, both 12a and 12b were coded "C", on the other W-2, both 12a and 12b were coded "D". I have corrected this at least 10 times, each time my change appears to be accepted. Yet each time I go to verify my W-2 information, the boxes have been reset to both C and both D.

Now I don't know how those codes are used in the filing process, but the program appears buggy and made me lose confidence in the whole package. If TaxCut won't accept my W-2 codes, what else is wrong that I can't see? My tax information is critical and I don't feel comfortable using this program to file my taxes.

Thankfully, I was able to heed the advice of many former Turbo Tax users and purchase Tax Cut right off the bat.

Tax Cut works wonderfully, and I experienced no problems in installing or using the problems. A very seamless operation, indeed.

To those who are skittish about switching to Tax Cut (i.e. afraid of change or the unknown) let me assure you, Tax Cut works just as well as Turbo Tax, but without the added problems of installation and operation. I say this, as a former Turbo Tax user from way back when it was part of Parsons Technology.

I give Tax Cut a big Five Stars! And the Turbo Tax people need to take notice here. In fact, I think it's the whole Intuit culture that needs to be changed, when they try to foister outrageous things upon their users (Intuit QuickBooks users: remember when they forced you to 'subscribe' to the payroll tax tables and gave you no choice otherwise?).

I used TurboTax last year but after reading the horror stories customers wrote about registering, I opted for TaxCut for 2002 (plus TaxCut is cheaper). The initial installation went very smoothly. I then downloaded the updated files and forms. I have a cable connection but it took rather a long time. During the download, the process seemed to stall for a long time but eventually everything downloaded and updated properly. Doing the program itself was easy - you are taken through an "interview" process in which you are asked to supply the information and numbers required to complete your return. Piece of cake! I supplied the information, printed out my return and checked it over, and it looks good. Throughout the session you are kept informed of what the program is trying to do, and are given applicable links to click if you (the user) needs more information about the interview item.

Negatives: I updated the forms and files before the interview process brought up the subject. When the interview suggested it, I clicked the button again and it seemed like the program froze. There was no download status or other status box telling me what happened and when I clicked on other links, nothing happened. I couldn't close the program, either (Windows XP) - the only way I could get out was to tell XP to turn off the whole computer, not just the program. Maybe this happened because I already downloaded the update? I don't know. The other negative is that during the final check it gave me a warning that my FICA withheld was more than the the 6.2% limit, but that was not the case. Maybe a rounding error? I don't know about that, either. But those are the two "problems" I experienced.

Other than that, the program ran smoothly and was well worth the money. If you don't have a really complex return (if you have something that complicated then you should be able to afford a live person), it does the job in a competent way. TurboTax worked well for me last year, but I think I will stick with TaxCut from now on because (1) it is cheaper; (2) no registration nightmare; and (3) LESS annoying ads for other vendors. While TaxCut tries to get you to subscribe to other services, etc., it seems much less obnoxious than TurboTax.

This year, I purchased both TurboTax & Taxcut. I've used TurboTax for the last several years, but decided to look into switching after hearing about TurboTax's copy-protection fiasco. So obviously, the "big plus" for TaxCut is the ability to do your taxes on multiple computers without buying another copy. However, that seems to be the only plus compared to TurboTax. Here are the issues I had with TaxCut:

- Cannot handle large fonts. If you are using windows at a high resolution and have chosen large fonts, be aware that none of the screens will look correct. Input fields will overlap each other, the running "refund" amount will be cut off, etc. Very annoying.
- Does not take advantage of high resolution displays. If you maximize the window, it still only makes good use of what appears to be a 640x480 part of the window. To be fair, TurboTax has this same issue.
- A nice new feature of this year's TurboTax is the ability to import your W2 electronically. TaxCut also has this feature, but said that it couldn't import my data! My employer uses ADP for payroll, so I don't understand why TaxCut couldn't do this.
- TurboTax downloaded my 1099-B information from Salamon Smith Barney. Taxcut could not. *Very* tedious entering stock sales by hand. I remember doing this 2 years ago with TurboTax.
- Dates require 4-digit years to be entered. I don't see why they can't accept 2-digit years for ease-of-entry, and then convert them. I believe TurboTax does this.

It basically feels like TurboTax from a couple years ago. Not a bad program, but definitely second-rate compared to TurboTax.

This program insisted on a 4/15/03 or earlier date for one entry, but wouldn't let me enter it! It kept producing an error message. I finally had to use a 4/16/03 date which allowed the return to process. The next day the return was rejected for a late date, even though the software said it would be registered as on time if submitted before midnight which it in fact was. It then wouldn't allow me to log on to check on my re-submitted return. Live technical support was worthless, as they will not acknowledge or correct this major software error. I have used Turbo Tax for the previous several years without a glitch, and even saved money by using it. I didn't care for the spyware they have installed, and thus didn't use it this year. My returns are relatively simple and usually are done in an hour or less with little effort, using TT. Don't waste your money on Taxcut, and learn how to uninstall spyware.

I, like many other former TurboTax users, purchased the TaxCut software expecting a lower quality product that would get the job done with minimal bells and whistles. I found that TaxCut is not only visually appealing in a simplistic yet professional manner but it is also incredibly easy to use. It takes care of the biggest chunk of work by being able to import your tax file from the previous year for either TaxCut or TurboTax software. This made the transition to TaxCut practically transparent. TaxCut has all the features and functionality you'd expect in tax software without the spyware hocus-pocus of TurboTax. I suspect it will take Intuit a while to recover from their design screw up. Of course, that will depend greatly on H&R Block's ability to enhance and more aggressively market TaxCut. This is the stuff that open market competition strives for! Highly Recommended!

I switched this year, and am happy. Turbotax's interface is a little slicker, but they both do the same thing, and Taxcut does it cheaper. It imports from Quicken and handles E-filing, and basically works just like Turbotax. (Four stars vice five for the less-than-perfect interface and because I had to call tech support about a form problem.)
They had an initial problem with the AMT form (6251) but have corrected it with the latest upgrade. No spyware, no arrogance, free tech support. Buy with confidence!