TurboTax Basic Federal + efile 2009

by Intuit

Product Features

• TurboTax Basic guides you through your federal return step-by-step
• Asks easy-to-understand questions in plain English then puts your answers onto IRS-approved forms
• Automatically double-checks your return for errors
• Files your return electronically and prints it on plain paper
• Free Federal E-File--receive IRS confirmation and get your refund in as few as 8 days

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002RS8EWY
• Item model number: 410672
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 22, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #600 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

  #54 in	Software > Personal Finance
  #24 in	Software > Tax Preparation

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

If you have a simple return and would like step-by-step guidance, TurboTax Basic will help you get your biggest refund.

Get Your Refund Fast: Efile Your 2009 Taxes with TurboTax Here's how efile works: Start your return and efile with TurboTax today. The moment the IRS starts accepting returns, scheduled for January 15, 2010, TurboTax will submit your efiled return. The IRS will confirm receipt by e-mail within 48 hours.

Here's how it works:

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

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.

Efile for a fast refund
Efile with direct deposit to get your refund in as few as 8 days. Five federal efiles included.

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.

Compare TurboTax Software

Everything you need to easily do your simple tax return.

Does the Hard Work for You

TurboTax customizes questions to your unique tax situation and put your answers on the right tax forms for you. Click to enlarge.

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

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.

Improved 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.

New Makes it Easy to Hold Your Place
Flag areas in your tax return so you can get back to them easily.

Provides Help When You Need It

Live Tax Answers
Get live answers online from TurboTax experts and other TurboTax users in our Live Community2. 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.

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.

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

New Smart Check Scans for Mistakes
Smart Check 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 or state 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 and state tax forms. No more disruptions while you work on your return.

Get Your Refund Faster with Included Federal Efile

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

Federal Efile Included
Get your refund in as few as 8 days with efile and direct deposit. Free federal efile is 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.

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

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.

TurboTax Basic Includes These Tax Forms

TurboTax takes the worry out of deciding which forms you need to file. Just answer simple questions and TurboTax fills out the right forms for you.

Most Commonly-Filed IRS Tax Forms and Schedules

Form 1040	Individual Income Tax Return
Schedule A	Itemized Deductions
Form 1040A	Individual Income Tax Return
Schedule B	Interest and Dividend Income
Schedule D/D-1	Capital Gains and Losses/Additional Capital Gains and Losses
Form 1040EZ	Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents
Schedule C/EZ	Profit (or Loss) from Business/Net Profit from Business
Schedule EIC	Earned Income Credit
Schedule E	Supplemental Income and Loss
Schedule SE	Self-Employment Tax

Other Tax Forms and Schedules

Schedule F	Profit or Loss from Farming
Schedule H	Household Employment Taxes
Schedule J	Income Averaging for Farmers and Fishermen
Schedules K-1 Worksheet (Form 1041)	Estates and Trusts
Schedules K-1 (Form 1065)	Partner's Share of Income, Credits, Deductions
Schedules K-1 (Form 1120S)	Shareholder's Share of Income, Credits, etc
Schedule R	Credit for Elderly or Disabled
Schedule 1 - 1040A	Interest and Ordinary Dividends for Form 1040A Filers
Schedule 2 - 1040A	Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Schedule 3 - 1040A	Credit for Elderly or Disabled
Form 982	Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness
Form 982WKS	Cancellation of Debt Worksheet
Form 1040-ES	Estimated Tax for Individuals
Form 1040-V	Payment Vouchers
Form 1040X	Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Form 1098T	Tuition Statement
Form 1099-MISC	Miscellaneous Income
Form 1099-Q	Payments From Qualified Education Programs
Form 1099-R	Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement, etc.
Form 1116	Foreign Tax Credit
Form 1116 AMT	Foreign Tax Credit for AMT
Form 1310	Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer
Form 2106/EZ	Employee Business Exp/EZ Employee Business Expenses Short Form
Form 2119	Home Sale Worksheet
Form 2120	Multiple Support Declaration
Form 2210/2210AI	Underpayment of Tax/Annualized Income
Form 2210F	Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Farmers
Form 2439	Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains
Form 2441	Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Form 2555	Foreign Earned Income
Form 3468	Investment Credit
Form 3800	General Business Credit
Form 3903	Moving Expenses
Form 4136	Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels
Form 4137	Tax on Unreported Tips
Form 4255	Recapture of Investment Credit
Form 4506	Request for Copy of Tax Form
Form 4562	Depreciation and Amortization
Form 4684	Casualties and Theft
Form 4797	Sales of Business Property
Form 4835	Farm Rental Income and Expenses
Form 4852	Substitute W-2 or 1099-R
Form 4868	Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File
Form 4952/AMT	Investment Interest Expense Deduction/Investment Interest Expense Deduction - AMT
Form 4972	Tax on Lump-Sum Distributions
Form 5329	Additional Taxes on Retirement Plans
Form 5405	First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Form 5695	Residential Energy Credits
Form 6198	At-Risk Limitations
Form 6251	Alternative Minimum Tax
Form 6252	Installment Sale Income
Form 6781	Gains/Losses from Section 1256 Contracts and Straddles
Form 8283	Non-cash Charitable Contributions
Form 8332	Release of Claim to Exemption for Child of Divorced of Separated Parents
Form 8379	Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation
Form 8396	Mortgage Interest Credit
Form 8453	U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS E-File Return
Form 8582/AMT/CR	Passive Activity Loss Limitations/AMT/Credit Limitations
Form 8586	Low Income Housing Credit
Form 8606	Nondeductible IRAs
Form 8615	Tax for Certain Children Who Have Investment Income of More Than $1,800
Form 8801	Credit for Prior Year Minimum Tax
Form 8812	Additional Child Tax Credit
Form 8814	Parent's Election To Report Child's Interest and Dividends
Form 8815	Exclusion of Interest from Series EE and I Bonds
Form 8822	Change of Address
Form 8824	Like-Kind Exchange
Form 8829	Business Use of Your Home
Form 8839	Qualified Adoption Expenses
Form 8853	Archer MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts
Form 8857	Innocent Spouse Relief
Form 8859	DC First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Form 8862	Info to Claim EIC After Disallowance
Form 8863	Education Credits
Form 8880	Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
Form 8881	Credit for Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Costs
Form 8885	Health Coverage Tax Credit
Form 8888	Direct Deposit of Refund
Form 8889	Health Savings Account
Form 8891	Canadian Retirement Plans
Form 8903	Domestic Production Activities Deduction
Form 8910	Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
Form 8914	Exemption for Taxpayers Housing Individuals Displaced by Midwestern Disasters
Form 8915	Hurricane Retirement Plan Distributions
Form 8917	Tuition and Fees Deduction
Form 8919	Uncollected Social Security and Medicare Tax on Wages
Form 8930	Midwestern Disaster Area Distributions
Form 9465	Installment Agreement Request
Form SS-4	Application for Employer ID Number
Form TD F 90-22.1	Report of Foreign Bank Accounts
Form W-4	Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
Form W-2	Wages and Tax Statement

Choose Security. Choose TurboTax.

TurboTax is dedicated to protecting your personal and financial information. From the most advanced technology to our dedicated Privacy Team, we have you covered.

In fact, TRUSTe, the leading Internet privacy seal-of-approval, named Intuit as one of three Most Trusted Companies for Privacy for 2007.

Our Site Is Tested Daily for Security
To support our commitment to protect your confidential data, the TurboTax Web site is tested and certified daily by the third-party McAfee HACKER SAFE Security Scan, an industry leader in Web site security.

Only You Can Access Your Return
TurboTax Online requires a unique log in. Once you create your username and password, your tax return is guarded. Rest assured that you have complete control over who sees your personal information.

TurboTax CDs and downloads store your information right on your computer. You can choose your own password to protect your personal information.

Your Information Travels Safely
Your TurboTax session is secure. TurboTax Online shields your personal information from prying eyes while you're completing your return.

TurboTax uses the same encryption technology used by banks to efile your return. This means that your information is protected from any unauthorized access while it's electronically sent to the IRS and state agencies.

Our Commitment to You
Armed with surveillance cameras and security alarms, the TurboTax Security Team physically protects our computers and your information--24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our Privacy Team's only job is to guard you and your information. If you feel the least bit uneasy, ask the Privacy Team about their commitment to your protection.

Product Description

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Never Again, February 2, 2010

By	Ray Wayne (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TurboTax Basic Federal + efile 2009 (CD-ROM)

I've used Turbo Tax products for over ten years now, and this is the last version that I will purchase until I'm more disgusted with the other companies tax preparation software than I am with this one.

When I purchased this issue of Turbo Tax, I knew that it didn't include the ability to use It's Deductible. I didn't care because I didn't want to. My problem is that the software will not acknowledge my donations to charity: I can enter them when I go through the guide, and they show up within the appropriate fields of the worksheets. However, they won't go into the tax forms and the data fields that are used to determine my 2009 taxes.

This has never been an issue with the Basic version of Turbo Tax before, but for some reason they've changed it so that you need to buy the Deluxe version in order to take deductions for donations to charity. After you've already spent twenty plus on this version (Basic), you can upgrade to the Deluxe version for about forty dollars. Great, but I can now purchase the Deluxe edition for less than that at several discounters.

My attempts to get help via e-mail are unanswered. I could call a phone agent, but the indicated price is almost thirty dollars per call. My online queries are answered with answers specific to and referencing previous years' versions of Turbo Tax, but not 2009s.

I don't know who at Turbo Tax decided to make these changes, but they aren't doing their customers or the company any favors.

Then again, why do I care, I'm no longer going to be one of their customers. It gets one star because the review area won't let me give it zero stars.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TurboTax is probaby the best there is but 1GB+ to do taxes??, January 10, 2010

By	A. Wiersch (Lantana, TX USA (near Dallas)) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: TurboTax Basic Federal + efile 2009 (CD-ROM)

This review is for TurboTax 2009 Deluxe for Federal Returns. Fortunately I live in Texas and there is no state income tax so I don't have to worry about the state portion.

TurboTax has had its share of issues but I came back to it because it does seem to be the best there is, but I'm knocking off a star because of the history of issues I've had with the program in previous years (like it not calculating tax correctly until I deleted some assets and then re-entered them). However, I was a little shocked to read that it requires 500MB of HD space PLUS up to 620MB more if Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1 is not installed (Mac is only 255MB). Wow! That could be over 1GB to do taxes. How inefficient we have become!

I just installed TurboTax Fed Deluxe on a Vista x64 system (it's Jan 7th, 2010) and didn't have any problems. In fact, it installed very quickly considering that it claims it needs 500MB (but I do have an SSD drive that greatly speeds things up). TurboTax immediately found 4 updates and asked me if I wanted to update. The updates seemed to have installed just fine. "Uninstall or change a programs" says TurboTax 2009 is using 343MB. It says TurboTax 2008 (from last year and still on my computer) is "only" 162MB, so a BIG increase (but I wonder how accurate are these figures?). In any case, even 1GB of space is not a big requirement nowadays.

I will be working with this to help estimate my 2009 taxes before I pay may Jan 15th estimated tax payment.

NOTE: Deluxe will do a Schedule C just fine, but it may not provide as much help as the Home & Business version. If you have been doing taxes yourself for awhile then you might not need to pay the extra money for the additional help. The same with other editions, TurboTax encourages "overbuying" just to get "extra guidance", the "audit meter", and/or "It's Deductible". All forms are included with all the editions.

I will update this review as I continue to use the product.

Pros:
* All editions include all forms
* Works on 64-bit versions of Windows XP and higher (of course that includes Vista and Windows 7)
* On Jan 8th, I used it to help compute an estimate of the tax I will owe for 2009 to help determine what to pay for my last 2009 estimated tax payment and the program did not crash.
* I had a "flawless" install and update on Vista 64-bit - didn't ask for any serial or reg code
* Probably the best tax program there is
* Price includes federal E-File
* Deluxe version can do a Schedule C for the self-employed - but it doesn't provide as much guidance as the Home & Business edition

Cons:
* Not perfect (but how can US taxes ever be perfect)?
* Annoying "smart" input entries that try to format things like dates while you're still entering them
* Bad/complicated handling of SEP contributions
* Have encountered bugs in previous years that caused me to have to delete and re-enter assets
* Might take up to 1.12GB of HD space on Windows according to the system requirements

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Turbio tax Basic: Don't, but do the upgrade, February 8, 2010

By	Mark Stech-Novak "[e-mail]" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: TurboTax Basic Federal + efile 2009 (CD-ROM)

We have used Turbo Tax for over 8 years. This is the first year we have not purchased the Deluxe versions, since I am solely doing this to check my accountant's figures. My recommendation is to not bother with the basic version. Too many features are missing and it's functionality is very buggy. The import information from previous years is handled very poorly and the logically designed flow from one section to the next from previous years is now much more encumbered with unnecessary screens.

All that being said, I think the issue is the "basic" version, not Turbo tax itself. The Deluxe version has improved significantly over the years it would be very improbably that they would trash all that progress for this. Pay the extra and buy Deluxe. You may not watch all the videos, but the functionality will be worth it.