TurboTax Basic Federal + eFile 2008 [OLD VERSION]

by Intuit

Product Features

• Prepare and print unlimited federal returns; e-file up to five federal returns (per IRS guidelines) at no additional charge
• Includes free federal efile -- receive IRS confirmation and get your refund in as few as 8 days
• Everything you need to easily do your tax return--asks easy questions customized to your situation, puts your answers on the correct IRS forms, checks for errors
• Gets your W-2 and 1099 data directly from over 100,000 participating employers and financial institutions; transfers info from last year's TurboTax return to this year's
• TurboTax is the only tax software to include both e-filing and audit support with every federal return

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001GL6QDM
• Item model number: 408073
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 23, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,678 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

Product Description

Amazon.com

TurboTax Basic guides taxpayers step-by-step through their return. The software asks easy-to-understand questions in plain English, then instantly places the information onto Internal Revenue Service-approved forms. Updated with the latest tax laws, TurboTax double-checks for errors and flags potential audit risks. Finally, TurboTax helps taxpayers electronically file their tax return (or multiple returns) and provides confirmation from the IRS that their return has been received.

Asks easy questions We customize questions to your unique tax situation and put your answers on the right tax forms for you. Click to enlarge.

Guides you step by step With tax answers on every screen, live answers online, easy import, and error checking, doing your taxes is easier than ever. Click to enlarge.

Efile for a fast refund Efile with direct deposit to get your refund in as few as 8 days. Federal efile included.

Everything you need to easily do your tax return.

Does the Hard Work for You

Asks Easy Questions, Tailored to You
Guides you step by step through your tax return, then puts your answers on the right tax forms for you, including 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040. Skips interview questions that don't apply to you, so you can finish your return faster.

Improved--Automatically Fills in W-2 and 1099 Info
Gets your W-2 and 1099 data directly from over 100,000 participating employers and financial institutions and automatically puts it in the right tax forms. A brief summary lets you review and edit downloaded information if necessary.

Transfers Last Year's Tax Info
No retyping necessary. Fills in information from your previous year's return to save time and increase accuracy. Shows you what you're importing and where it goes in your return. You can also import from other tax software including TaxACT and H&R Block's TaxCut.

Imports Your Financial Data
Imports information from your financial software (including Quicken, QuickBooks 2007 and higher, and Microsoft Money) so you can skip the cut and paste this year.

Filing Multiple Returns? It’s Easy with TurboTax

You can prepare and print unlimited federal returns and e-file up to five federal returns (per IRS guidelines) with TurboTax at no additional charge. You get all the features and benefits of TurboTax, like year-over-year transfer and audit support tools.

Federal e-filing is easy, fast and more accurate than paper filing and eliminates paperwork hassles. You'll receive IRS confirmation your return has been received and best of all, you'll get a faster refund—in as little as 8 days.* And you can start and work on as many returns as you like and still use all the tax planning features (scenario and alternative planning) you've come to value without having to pay extra.

*IRS typically estimates 8-15 days for efile with direct deposit.

Provides Help When You Need It

Live Tax Answers
Get live answers online from TurboTax experts and other TurboTax users in our Live Community. Plus you'll have instant access to answers to commonly asked tax questions on every screen.

Straightforward Guidance & Advice
Find help on any tax topic from anywhere within TurboTax. Get plain-English explanations of specific tax areas and helpful examples when you need them.

New--Life Events Expert
Explains how changes in your life, such as purchasing a home, changing jobs or becoming a parent, will affect your taxes so you can prepare your return with confidence.

New--Guide Me
Not sure how to answer a tax question? We'll guide you to the right answer, making your taxes even easier.

FREE Technical Support
Got a software question? No problem! Get answers from a TurboTax expert via e-mail, phone, or live chat.

Spots Errors and Shows How to Fix Them

Checks for Mistakes
Double-checks your return for errors, so you can be confident your taxes are done right.

Guaranteed Accurate Calculations
If you should get hit with an IRS penalty or interest due to a TurboTax calculation error, we'll pay you the penalty and interest.

Keeps You Up-to-Date with the Latest Tax Forms
With a single click you can check for updates each time you start to ensure your return includes the latest IRS tax forms. No more disruptions while you work on your return.

Get Your Refund Faster with Included Federal Efile

Improved--Shows Your Tax Refund in Real Time
Watch your refund add up as you complete your return. Our improved Dual Refund Monitor constantly displays and updates both your federal refund (or taxes due) as you complete your federal return.

New--Federal Efile Included
Get your refund in as few as 8 days with efile and direct deposit. Five federal efiles are now included with TurboTax at no extra charge. If you're a returning user, we'll automatically transfer your efile information from your previous year's return to save you even more time.

Why TurboTax Basic is the easiest choice for you... TurboTax Basic was designed to make doing your simple taxes easy, by guiding you step by step through your federal tax return. Choose TurboTax Basic if any of the following apply to you: You file a 1040EZ or other simple tax return You own your home but don't have a mortgage You rent your home If you have a mortgage, childcare expenses, or made charitable donations, TurboTax Deluxe will help you maximize your deductions for the biggest tax refund. If you own investments or rental property, choose TurboTax Premier. It has everything in Deluxe PLUS will provide extra guidance so you get the most from your investments. If you are a sole proprietor, consultant, 1099 contractor, or single-owner LLC, TurboTax Home & Business has everything in Premier and will help you make the most of your business and personal tax deductions.

Plus, includes these helpful features to make doing your taxes even easier:

Improved--Search Topics or Forms
Looking for a specific form? Just type in the name of the form and TurboTax will take you to it.

Compares Sales Tax vs. State Income Tax Deduction Savings
Shows you which tax deduction will get you the biggest savings: sales tax paid or state and local income tax paid.

Takes the Confusion Out of Vehicle Registration Deductions
Tells you if you can deduct vehicle registration costs and how to take the deduction.

Summarizes Your Tax Situation
Compares this year's return to last year's return and shows you how your numbers compare with the U.S. average, so you can rest assured your taxes are accurate.

Explains AMT and How to Avoid It
Gain a better understanding of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and how it affects your bottom line. Learn why you may be subject to AMT and how you can avoid it in the future.

Helps with Education Credits and Deductions
Tells you who qualifies for education credits, which expenses are deductible and how to save the most money.

Handles Social Security and Other Types of Income
Provides extra help for entering Social Security income, Disability income, Supplemental Security income, and dependent's Social Security income.

Simplifies Estimated Tax Payments
Explains how estimated taxes work and tells you if you need to make estimated quarterly payments.

Risk Free
Not sure Basic Edition will cover your unique situation? Start anytime and we will prompt you if another TurboTax program may be better for you. When you upgrade, the info you've already entered so far will transfer automatically.

Guides You Step by Step Through Amending Returns, if You Need To
TurboTax makes it easy to amend your return. Need more time? You can submit an application for a filing extension with just a few clicks.

Compare TurboTax Software

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Product Description

Guides you through your federal return step-by-step.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars TurboTax 2008 Too Taxing for Families, December 1, 2008

By 

Ulrike H. McConnell (Colorado Springs, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TurboTax Basic Federal + eFile 2008 [OLD VERSION] (CD-ROM)

Be aware! Do you have children or parents that you have been filing returns for? The Intuit TurboTax 2008 license pricing is a dramatic change to your tax preparation expense!

With TurboTax 2007, I completed our return and a return for each of my three minor children. Preparation of up to five returns was included. This year, Intuit wants me to pay a significantly higher price for the first return and pay another $10 for each of my kids returns. You pay when you get to the printing phase, AFTER you have transferred and filled in all of that important information.

Intuit says they have included a federal e-file at no additional charge. If this is all true, what is the 60% price increase Intuit is asking me to pay this year going to do for me?

Even if all you do is your own return, can you believe, with that higher price, that a federal e-file is included at no extra charge?

I have been a TurboTax/MacInTax user for around 20 years but when e-filing has become something Intuit forces everyone to buy, even those who cannot or do not want to use it, it becomes clear that Intuit has lost its way.

Intuit lost a very dedicated customer today. My strong recommendation is that you consider H&R Block's Tax Cut before you decide which tax preparation product to purchase this year.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Change in Pricing, December 25, 2008

By 

J. Cochran "JCochran" (Mechanicsburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TurboTax Basic Federal + eFile 2008 [OLD VERSION] (CD-ROM)

Apparently Turbo Tax got the message. On 12/16/08 they revised their pricing structure and you can now do 5 e-filings and an unlimited number of paper filings. I have used the product for 15 years and I am using it again in 2008 since they have had second thoughts about their pricing model.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You have to see if this is worth the money, February 3, 2009

By 

Robert Merivel - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TurboTax Basic Federal + eFile 2008 [OLD VERSION] (CD-ROM)

This is about the 9th year in a row I've used Turbotax and havn't taken negative reviews very seriously for it has always been useful to me as a homeowner/multiincome with children etc. But nothing too out there. This year some of what folks are saying is true. For example: Entering deductions your are stopped at the initial page and asked to upgrade to get to the full benefit of deductions etc. This gives the IMPLICATION that they aren't going to give you the full benefit of the program until you pony up an additional [...] bucks! I declined but when I got to the point to enter my Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) They referred me to IRS for 936 to figure my tax deduction. WHAT? If I wanted to pore over IRS documents I would have done that in the first place and skipped Turbotax! I will have to seriously look at an alternative for next year.