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Software Review of:
Quicken TurboTax 
Deluxe 

From the March, 2000 issue of PC Alamode Magazine
by Bill Klutz 
The new millennium has arrived and the shopworn "Y2K" statements are almost a thing of the past. But, two things that will be with us forever, as some say, are "Death and Taxes!" The first comes only once and is usually painless. The second, comes every year and can be quite "painful" - reading the instruction booklet, trying to understand the sPeCiAl supercalifragilisticexpialidocious language that appears on its pages, finding all the forms, tables and other information that will be required to make the "line-by-line plays" during "the game" — short or long method, standard or itemized deductions, tax tables, etc. 

Additional "pain" is inflicted when we gather the players for "the game" — all the "free agent" pieces of paper that we have been acquiring all year for our own personal Super Bowl — "The Tax Game!" (Played this year on or before April 17th.) As the preparation portion of the game begins (putting the right information in the right area and on the correct line, totaling, etc.), we are pretty confident. When we are sufficiently "worn down" from the long time spent in the preparation phase, we look up the amount owed. "Wow!" "Ouch!" "I really got hurt again this year!" (That is also when we remember that IRS stands for "It Really Stinks!") "I'll do better next year!" "I'll get me one of those computer Tax programs!" (Yea, Right!!!!!) 

Getting one of those computer Tax programs won't make the frustration any less, if we fail to realize that with the beginning of a new year comes planning (how do I organize my Tax information) and, work (entering the generated information in a systematic and organized manner). The work portion needs to take place all year, not "just before TAX time." Only then, will one truly be in good shape for this event next year. 
 

Note: Since I am reviewing  Intuit’s TurboTax Deluxe, consider Quicken (shown at the Jan 10th meeting) as the front half of the equation. (Each half of the equation will depend on the "heft" you need — personal, home & business, small business, etc.) Each will help you put everything where you need it, so you WILL be ready for "The Tax Game!" Both are from Intuit, Inc. Other "organizing" programs are also available that should work with TurboTax or any of the other "Tax" programs reviewed in this issue.
TurboTax is really as easy as 1,2,3: 
  1. The program asks simple questions in a logically progressive manner, places the answers directly onto IRS_approved forms and automatically performs all calculations;
  2. Double Checks: Finds errors, overlooked deductions and entries that could trigger an audit;
  3. Prepares a fileable return: Prints all completed forms for a personal copy and snail mail copy, or can do Electronic filing for small fee. (The latest TurboTax updates are available automatically online using your TurboTax program and an active Internet connection, or you can obtain a disk from the company.)
With TurboTax Deluxe you get: One free state tax info program (a rebate when you buy from a retailer; free download when you buy direct); Roth IRA Planner; retirement planning help; improved graphics and illustrations in the integrated onscreen videos, to help make supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (the complex IRS language of tax laws) easier to understand. 

Additional features TurboTax provides: Life Events Planner (addresses the impact major life changes ) new home, baby, retirement, etc. ) will have on your taxes; Money_Saving Advice; IRS publications; integrated video tax help from three of America's top financial advisors. 

TurboTax continues to provide features previous users know and trust: all revised and updated tax law changes; all the Forms and Schedules you're likely to need; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that relate to the screen you're in; Transfer from last year's taxes: Allows you to bring over information from last year's tax return, so you don't have to re_enter as much data; Tax Advisor: Custom money-saving tax advice as you complete your return; Tax Report: A customized, printable action plan you can refer to all year to save you money on next year's taxes; Refund Monitor: Constantly displays your refund amount or tax due and updates itself automatically as you enter new information; Final Review: Double checks for errors, missing information and entries that could trigger an IRS audit; TaxLink: Transfer tax-related data from your Quicken or QuickBooks files directly into TurboTax to cut data entry time; Printable IRS-approved tax forms on plain paper, which you can simply sign and drop in the mail for the price of the postage required, OR, filed electronically for just $9.95! 

System minimum requirements keep the older computers in mind: Windows '95, NT 4.0; 486DX processor; 16MB RAM; 2X CD_ROM drive (4X CD_ROM recommended); SVGA color (minimum 256 color). 

If you can turn your computer on and work with Windows, TurboTax will be no problem. TurboTax is the "player" you need to help you with the "step-by-step" preparation to win "The Tax Game!" 

The Feb 6th Sunday ad supplement from Best Buy listed TurboTax 99 at $19.99 minus $10.00 mail-in rebate equals $9.99 and TurboTax Deluxe at $29.99; the Office Depot booklet had "Get TurboTax AND Quicken 2000 for $9.95 (TurboTax 99 at $19.95 minus $10.00 mail-in rebate equals $9.95, Quicken 2000 at $29.95 minus $29.95 mail-in rebate equals Free.) I am sure the "specials" will continue by these and other local sellers during the tax period. The true cost will be the price after rebate, the stamp(s) for sending the rebate, and the TAX on the purchase price. Remember to keep the receipt so you can claim the tax next year. Better yet, get Quicken and make the entry now. It will just wait patiently until next year. Then, Quicken and TurboTax won't let you forget you should be taking the deduction. 

Contact information: 

Bill Klutz does consulting work, primarily in the areas of Management and Computer Applications/Hardware/Software.