Turbotax takes the full featured approach to tax software – at full price.
Intuit’s TurboTax has been around in one form or another for a long time, over a quarter of a century in fact, which sounds like an age. But, that’s helped it get better over the years too. It’s got a well-proven track history as being a solution for all kinds of users, from those who have lone filing to do as well as those with more complex tax ground to cover.
While TurboTax is powerful, it’s not intimidating either, which will be reassuring to any filing newbies or people who aren’t confident using online systems. In fact, TurboTax is a real help because of its simple and almost chatty screen-by-screen interface.
TurboTax is available in various incarnations, depending on your requirements and, naturally, how much you want to spend. There’s a free edition that’s suitable for simple tax returns, which can be done by importing your W-2. There are no federal or state charges either. Next up, the Deluxe package is ideal for maximizing tax deductions and credits, and that allows you to start for free (you only pay when you file) and costs $60 plus $50 state additional. The more you spend with TurboTax the more features get added on. So if you want to spend $90 (plus state additional) for Premier you get everything that comes with the Free and Deluxe editions, plus more functionality. The TurboTax Self-Employed package costs $120 (plus the $50 each state additional once again) and that too can be started for free with payment only being necessary when you file.
However, if you’re not keen on doing things yourself then it is possible to get TurboTax Live, which gets real CPAs or EAs to review your return. Live Basic is for simple tax returns, costs $80 plus state additional and can be started for free. Live Deluxe costs $120 plus state additional, Live Premier is $170 and Live Self-Employed is $200. These packages emulate what’s on offer with the packages shown above, but you gain by having those CPAs and EAs on demand. The fact that you ultimately get a final review by a professional should give plenty of piece of mind, which also makes the pricing seem more than justified.
On top of that, TurboTax is available on a CD or as a download, with four different variations on the theme.
