Customer Reviews

TurboTax Deluxe Federal + State 2007 [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(137)
4 star:		(68)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(47)

 

 

TurboTax Deluxe 2007 is very similar to the 2006 version, although of course updated for this year's tax tables. The primary difference is that in years past, TurboTax Deluxe always included both federal and state returns, but this year there are two versions of Deluxe: one that only has federal capability and this one, which has both federal and state. If you don't need to file a state return, buy "TurboTax Deluxe Federal 2007" not this one, and save a few dollars.

While I found the software easy to use, I was quite irritated to find (at the very end) that to e-file, I would need to pay $17.95...and an ADDITIONAL $17.95 to e-file my state return!

Why on earth did I pay $40 for this software?? I downloaded a free version from the company's website last year. The purchased version doesn't include much extra.

Now I have to print out my return and mail it in, because I'm not willing to spend a total of nearly $80 to do my taxes MYSELF! I notice now that this fee is buried in the description above, but it certainly is something you'd have to know to look for. It should be in giant letters right below the price!

Irritating.

As of 1/24/08, there is a bug in the 2007 Turbotax software that was going to add over $3,000 to my federal tax bill. I called the Turbotax "Help" line and spent over two hours on the phone with first and second tier tech support folks helping them reproduce the error. Even when they could see the error, they insisted I was doing something wrong. I spent long periods on hold waiting while they huddled. During these "hold" periods, the rep would come back on the line periodically asking if I was still there, and then put me on hold again (I think she hoped I would give up). Eventually a second-tier tech support guy acknowledged that there was a previously unknown bug in the software. He said he would escalate the matter to the Turbotax programmers. I asked when the problem would be fixed. Unknown. I asked to be notified either by e-mail or phone when the patch would be available. They don't do that. I asked to speak to a supervisor. I was put back on interminable "hold" and finally gave up.
It seems to me that customers who take the time and trouble to report a product defect, and then actually assist tech support in reproducing the problem, should at least expect a "thank you" for helping the company improve it's product. Instead, the Turbotax people throw up a wall of almost unrelenting skepticism that wastes everyone's time, and then refuse to extend the common courtesy of giving the customer a timeline or notification for resolving the issue. I've used Turbotax for many years, but this experience, along with a known tendency for Turbotax to include "penalties" that the IRS would never impose, would make me reluctant to use it again.
For Turbotax users: This bug occurs if you did a "rollover" from a 401K to a Traditional IRA and then "converted" and "recharacterized" between your Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. Under these circumstances, Turbotax will add the "rollover" amount to your MAGI which may then exceed the income limit for Roth conversion. Hopefully the bug will be fixed by the time you read this.

I have used TurboTax to file my Federal and State taxes for at least 10 years. In general, I love the product. Every year I buy the "Deluxe" version. A few years ago, Intuit changed their licensing scheme and it seriously angered their customers. Many of us switched to TaxCut that year and Intuit got the message. No more draconian licensing schemes.

This year Intuit burned us "Deluxe" users again by not including a full walk-through of Schedule C filing. My wife runs a small yoga business on the side. She makes very little money and usually her expenses are greater than her income. In years past, the "Deluxe" version included a full walk-through for Schedule C filings for self-employed businesses. This year, they only included a walk-through for income, and that's only because we said we had a 1099-MISC form. In order to complete the form (for expense deductions) we had to manually enter the data into the form.

I knew there was controversy about the Schedule C filing in this year's software, but the VP of Marketing from Intuit said in response to an earlier review that it was indeed in the software. This is misleading. Only a portion of the walk-through is included. If you file with Schedule C forms, you better plan to buy the home business offering from Intuit this year.

If Intuit does not bring back full Schedule C walk-through next year, I will explore other tax preparation alternatives.

This is an addition to what I had originally posted below. Bob Meighan, a VP from Intuit (creator of Turbotax) has pointed out that the feature described below in my original review is STILL available in Turbotax Deluxe; their marketing (Web Site) did not provide that information. Bob has stated, and I have verified, that the features list has been corrected/enhanced on the Turbotax website. Thanks to Intuit for being responsive and correcting their product description. I hope that others don't get pushed into buying a more expensive version of Turbotax than they really need.
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I assume that Turbotax 'Deluxe' for 2007 will be as good as previous versions. It is a very solid product. The problem is that, if you believe their own product descriptions, a very useful, timesaving feature that has been available in the 2006 version of 'Deluxe' has been taken out of the 2007 'Deluxe' version and limited to the 'Premier' version and higher.

They are like a drug pusher. They start you off cheap, get you hooked, and then jack up the price.

The feature which is not described as being part of 'Deluxe' 2007, but was part of 'Deluxe' 2006 provides the ability to import year end interest and dividend data from various financial institutions directly into Turbotax over the internet. The 2007 version of Turbotax 'Deluxe' has no mention of that feature being included. I verified by reading the full description of the various version features on the Intuit web site. The import feature is described as being available with Turbotax 'Premier' at a cost of $25 more (at Amazon prices) than 'Deluxe.' So, to get the same features that you had last year in Turbotax 'Deluxe', you must buy the higher level 'Premier' version this year and pay over 60% more than the 'Deluxe' version. A very hidden huge price increase from 2006 to 2007.

I find Intuit getting more and more obnoxious with their advertisements (do you want to buy this or that? Click this and that.) and software quality (every time one wants a state form printout, the whole state entry sequence had to be done again). This was in last year's (2006) version.

I am at a point to find another solution and avoid this company altogether.

I've been a TurboTax Deluxe (with State) user for 6 years now. Don't really think I could be without it.

Clearly the biggest advantage is having the program keep me aware of the ever-changing tax laws, rates, and ever-changing limits on deductions. The final returns are prepared with mathematical accuracy and crystal clear and unblemished appearance ... no coffee stains and no wrinkled paper.

TT also contributes to a paper-free environment. I no longer receive forms from the Federal and State governments except for a preprinted voucher (if taxes are owed) and a set of estimated payment forms if your history indicates you use those. When the return is complete, I simply print my copy in PDF format and save it on my computer. (The "save to PDF" feature is a terrific bonus.) For the forms I mail, the program directs me accurately to the proper tax authority's mailing address for my geographic area,

The revised structure of TurboTax makes it very easy to re-enter the program and make a single adjustment. You don't have to re-enter the somewhat cumbersome interview process. You're presented with a list of income items or a list of deduction items. If that 1099-INT wandered in late from your Credit Union, you just go directly to Income items, click Interest and Dividends from the list and just deal with your single change. I might mention that the program does a good job in retaining the various firms that paid you Interest and Dividends last year ... a handy reminder of payments that are reported late (in case you forgot).

I became a "small business" a few years back because part of my income is derived from developing web sites. It's quite daunting to enter the world of 1099-MISC, Schedule Cs, 179 Depreciation, Form 4562 and others. Turbotax shielded me from all that and provided me an education at the same time.

Some may argue that what I'm about to say is not a "feature" but if your return is flagged validly for some error or omission, it sure is nice having TurboTax stand between you and the IRS, just like a paid tax preparer. Sure you might have to pony up some money, but you're unlikely to be chastised in any big way because "my TurboTax didn't ask me that". Sure sounds like a good excuse in my book.

For $40 or $45 it's hard for me to imagine anyone opting to do their taxes from government publications, forms and endless reading of things that are difficult for mortals to understand. Tax preparers are at the ready if you don't want to do it yourself but for most people's relatively simple returns why pay a preparer $150 or more?

You've probably got enough reviews here without mine but I always feel compelled to write reviews of products that I really like.

Hope I haven't wasted your time ... Sam

This is my 10th year to use Intuit products to prep my taxes. This product has a long term reputation for quality, accuracy, prompt updates and software stability. I have used both the Windows and Mac OS version of TurboTax, both with excellent results.

I have tried to use the H&R Block/Tax Cut products and I have been disappointed. The design and ease of use is better for TurboTax. Don't let a $5 price difference fool you into buying a weaker product. The time saved using TurboTax is well worth paying a bit extra.

This is my third year filing my taxes with Turbo Tax, and I have to admit I actually look forward to doing my taxes each year because this program makes it so easy and fun. It walks you through everything step by step so you don't miss anything. Also, it tallies up your return as you progress along, so you can see how much you are getting (or if you owe anything, God forbid, it will show that as well). I chose this version since I have to file a state return, and the Deluxe Federal & State allows you to download their state program for free.

The only downside to using this program every year is the cost. You have to purchase a new program every year to get the updates. (Why can't they provide the option of downloading a few updates for old programs for a lower cost? It's all a money-making scheme, really.) On top of that, there is an e-filing fee. You would think filing electronically would be cheaper because it requires less paperwork, but it seems like Intuit just wants to make more money. However, the cost is worth the convenience of the product, so I continue to purchase and use the product year after year.

I have been using TurboTax since the ancent past when it was a DOS program from ChipSoft. Intuit seems to improve the product each year. They stay ahead of the ever changing IRS rules and regulations. TurboTax is a unique product. It sells hundreds of thousands of copies that require constant updating and the product will be obsolete in four months. The product relys on WEB connectivity to quickly respond to tax law changes. No product that deals with the IRS could ever earn five stars but TurboTax gets as close as it can in a very imperfect world.