Customer Reviews

TurboTax Basic 2007 [OLD VERSION] [Download]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

This will be the 11th year that I have used TurboTax to prepare my Federal tax return. Eleven years ago the user interface was a little difficult but workable. Last year the product was great and I expect it to continue to improve. Over the years, I have learned that the product is not infallible and some (but very few) mistakes were made, especially in the area of education credits and whether a "Hope" or "Lifetime" learning credit applies. I was able to successfully navigate through this problem but had to force it into the appropriate category. It remains important for the user to be aware of the tax laws so as not to be surprised by these problems.

I have always used the "Basic" version and have found that it meets all my needs including self-employment forms, capital gains, pensions, child care expenses, various tax credits such as the residential energy credit, and many, many more. I have never used the "State" product since state tax returns can be filed in New Mexico over the internet at no cost. You should check with your state to see if it has similar programs.

The only real problem with TurboTax is that the program is released early and before any federal forms are finalized. The update process is easy enough, but if you have a dial-up connection it will take a good bit of time. With a "real" high-speed connection such as cable, it's no sweat. This year it took me about a minute. I personally like to begin my return in December, so this is not a problem for me.

Another great feature is that you can copy personal information such as names, SSN, filing status, etc. from the previous year so you don't have to retype it this year. It also copies financial institution and W2 information which can be edited for the current year without retyping names, tax ID numbers, etc.

I highly recommend TurboTax and wouldn't use any other.

I have used this product for 10 years and have been very pleased. This year, however, the BASIC Turbotax does not include a Sch C as it always has in the past. When I went to their website, it clearly says that it DOES include Sch C. I then talked with a TurboTax representative who told me that it DOES include one, but you have to PAY to UNLOCK it! When I asked how much, they said "the difference between the Basic and the Home and Office Edition" which was like $60 more! That is dishonest. I am trying TaxCut this year for $13.99 and it does include Sch C and imports all the info from your prior year Turbotax. Intuit, get a clue.

The description mentions that you can use this software to prepare your return and e-file it. What they fail to mention is that when you try to e-file, they expect an additional $17.95 to do so! But wait, that's not all...E-filing for individuals who earn below a certain income are entitled to e-file free of charge. I did so, using free software online from Turbo Tax. The very same software I purchased for $19.99. Save your money. Turbo Tax Basic is available free online. There is absolutely no difference, except that it allows you to e-file without extorting another $17.95.

After using TurboTax Basic Edition for the last several years with no major probems, I stopped off to pick up the '07 version.
Uh-oh!

The folks at Intuit have decided to strip features from the Basic Edition to the point where it would really only be of use to a 19-year-old fast food worker living in his parents' basement. They're hoping you'll fork over $45 for the Deluxe Edition, which contains features formerly available on the Basic Edition.

At any rate, TaxCut was on the next shelf, so after making a side-by-side comparison, I've decided to make the switch to their Premium Federal version, which seems to resemble TurboTax Basic from years past, plus it's the same price as TurboTax Basic. It also imports your previous year's TurboTax data.

Sorry, Intuit. You just got a little too greedy.

I bought TTAX Basic and installed it. It has all of the usual forms and interviews to support them. The Intuit web site lists all of the forms included. I even found Schedule C in there, even though several people have reported it missing (perhaps in was added back in the latest downloads?).

Confusion reigns because of the way Intuit seems to want to push people to higher cost products. There is extra help in higher cost products, and maybe some extra features (Deduction Finder or Cost Basis Lookup). If you don't need those things, TTAX Basic works fine.

My return includes 1040, Schedules A, B, C-EZ, D, SE and all of the forms required for IRA contributions and rollovers, and annualization forms for estimated tax penalty calculations, plus many, many forms I don't need.

Take a look at the online version of Basic (no need to pay anything or even register if you won't be saving your work) to verify that everything you need is really there.

The problem isn't that TTAX has lost features. It's that Intuit's guides to which version to use IMPLIES that did if you don't read closely enough.

Used TurboTax for several years with no problems. Had nothing but problems with the version for filing 2007 returns in 2008. Couldn't efile. Very basic return - has nothing to do with schedules that everyone else has. Just generates random errors and hangs or crashes a lot. Generates errors that are unresolvable. Called customer service. Got stuck with three different idiots, one whom was rude as hell. Finally got a competent rep who told me that it was an unresolvable error. She was only able to offer me the prospect that they would fix it someday. Operator noted that "most" users were having problems with the program. Said many conflicts exist in internet explorer and firefox has less errors. Finally got a refund for the price.

I have been using turbo tax to file my returns for past 3 years. This year, I went to turbo tax site to select the proper version. The Basic version only does 1040EZ. You own your home, then you are required to buy Deluxe version which is $44.95. Deluxe version does not include investments, so if you are invested in stock market, now you are looking at Premier version for $74.95. I used to get all my tax done with $20 basic version. Now I am looking at spending $74.95. I own my home, invested in stock market, and was able to do 2006 tax using Basic version last year. Be warned that the 2007 basic version turbo tax is useless, and you would need to get least 2007 Premier version this year if you want to itemize.

As a longtime loyal Quicken and TurboTax user, I was very disappointed to find a hidden and potentially nasty surprise in this year's version of TurboTax Basic and how poor the customer service was once I found it.

I contributed to a Roth IRA in 2007 which TurboTax duly noted was not deductible, which is exactly correct (traditional IRA contributions are deductible, Roth's are not). But what I didn't know was that TurboTax had actually listed the Roth IRA contribution as "Investment counsel and advisory fees" and had deducted the contributions on Schedule A anyway. This was not discovered until another professional tax preparation firm reviewed my return and pointed it out to me.

When I tried to contact TurboTax regarding the incident, I first received no confirmation that they had received my e-mail, then later was told to just delete the offending form and re-enter. I did exactly that and it did remove the Roth IRA contribution from Schedule A, but did nothing to fix the bug that put it there in the first place.

Disappointed and more than little bit concerned about other hidden flaws that might be lurking out there, I'm now considering alternatives for the next tax season.

I've used Turbo Tax for several years (and other tax software prior to that). This product is easy to understand - instructions lead you and don't leave you dangling. The reason I purchased this particular product is that Texas has no state income tax and there is no point in paying extra for state filing. Highly recommended and I will certainly buy it next year.

We have been using turbo tax for quite a few years now. It is easy and has all the forms one would need to do either a long form or short form. The only thing that was a surprise for us was when we got to the end and found out it cost over $17 to e-file rather than mail it in. We opted for a 41 cent stamp instead!