Year after year, TurboTax continues to earn the top spot on our review list. It consistently prepares accurate returns and is by a long shot the easiest to use online tax software. To make TurboTax even more appealing, for the first time they are now offering free personalized tax advice to all types of tax filers – even those using their free federal eFile service. Using our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award winning tax software, anyone can prepare an accurate return with confidence.
When a product becomes a household name, it is because either it's a great product or it has run a clever marketing campaign. TurboTax by Intuit earned its lofty status by reputation. People have shared their positive experiences with TurboTax with their friends and family and now it is the most popular tax preparation solution. Before TurboTax, people either paid an accountant to prepare their taxes or struggled through the paper filing process on their own. Through the years, Intuit continues to improve their tax software to make it easier to use, and now anyone can use this software to create an accurate federal and state return, even first-time filers.
When we tested their online eFiling service this year we found them to be the easiest to use, and it created an accurate return down to the exact dollar amount. It also found all our intentional errors and performed all math calculations. TurboTax can also increase the chances for accuracy by importing data from prior years and from W-2s and 1099 forms automatically. It has an easy-to-understand guided interview format that can help you discover all the deductions and credits you can claim. Whether you are excited to see how much of a refund you are going to get or anxious about how much you might have to pay, TurboTax can help you file the most beneficial return for your specific tax scenario.
Most online tax services promise 100-percent accuracy and the largest, fastest refunds, but who really can fulfill these promises? All tax services can only produce refunds as accurate as the information provided by the taxpayer; however, the best tax services ask the right questions to help ensure that all areas are covered, especially items the filer may overlook or may not know they qualify for. TurboTax excels in this area and asks the necessary questions as simply as possible so anyone, regardless of their tax filing experience, can file the most accurate return as possible.
We tested TurboTax this year with a typical 1040 return with itemized deductions. Though many taxpayers can get away with filing simple 1040EZs, they do not provide much of a challenge to tax software so we tested a more demanding tax scenario. And like last year, TurboTax was able to create an accurate return easily. However, our tax scenario included 1099-MISC income and Intuit required us to upgrade to the more expensive Home & Business version to handle that additional income.
To increase the chance for complete accuracy this tax software does not require you to do any math calculations. For example, this tax preparation service did not even make us calculate our state use tax. Other services required us to look up the use tax and calculate the amount we would have to pay. Using TurboTax, you simply select your county and it automatically calculates your tax obligation for you.
TurboTax has products for all types of filers, from 1040EZ filers to business filers at the corporate, partnership and LLC levels. For 1040EZ filers they provide a tool called SnapTax. With this tool, you simply take a picture of your W-2 with your iPhone or Android phone and then answer a few questions and eFile – super easy. Of course, they can also prepare state returns for all states that require a state return. If you have gotten a little behind, TurboTax can help you file prior-year returns back to 2007.
TurboTax is by far the easiest-to-use tax preparation service we have ever reviewed. Since many people have math anxiety on top of tax anxiety, it is imperative that tax services be as easy to use as possible. A good tax service requires no math skills at all. With TurboTax you answer a few quick questions and fill in some boxes, and the software automatically prepares both your federal and state returns. Some tax services make you complete your federal forms and then reenter much of the same information to file your state taxes. Of course all calculations are guaranteed 100-percent accurate.
This tax service has the best guided interview interface we have seen. Some services will ask a few questions in the beginning and then move on to form filling mode, but TurboTax continues the guided method throughout the return for ultimate simplicity and accuracy. TurboTax offers guidance through the entire process and clearly explains all tax laws and concepts.
Most customer service issues can be solved utilizing TurboTax’s online resources. They answer numerous questions regarding billing and login issues. This Intuit product also comes with chat and telephone support.
When you are logged in to the site, you can view answers to popular questions or click “learn more” at any time to see further explanations to a topic you may not understand. This year for the first time, TurboTax is providing free one-on-one support by a tax professional via telephone or chat. This support option also includes audit guidance.
This online tax service and tax preparation software offers extensive tax information both within the software and on their website. TurboTax even offers a tool called EasyGuide for first-time filers who might have a lot of questions about terms and concepts that more experienced taxpayers would already know.
In their online support center they discuss the latest tax news and answer the most commonly asked tax questions. The tax question section answers specific questions in regard to family, home, work, investments and more. It also has a tax guide that covers topics such as filing information, tax law changes, state filing information and tax tips. They also have an active forum supported by tax experts and TurboTax customers.
Although TurboTax costs a bit more than their competitors do, people keep returning year after year because it is easy to use and they can depend on it to be accurate. Through the years we have always been able to create an accurate return using TurboTax. Preparing your return does not have to be an anxiety-fueled arduous task. Using TurboTax it can be as easy as snapping a picture of your W-2 using your iPhone.
